Heading hierarchy

Heading tags (H1 through H6) create a structural outline for your page content. Search engines and assistive technologies use headings to understand what each section is about.

The role of headings

Headings break content into logical sections. The H1 tag represents the page title � the main topic. H2 tags represent major sections within that topic. H3 tags are subsections of H2, and so on. This hierarchy mirrors a book's chapter structure.

Screen reader users navigate pages by jumping between headings. A well-structured heading hierarchy makes your site accessible. Search engines use headings to determine the relative importance of topics on a page.

Common heading mistakes

Missing H1 tag: Every page should have exactly one H1. Missing it leaves your page without a clear primary topic. Search engines may infer one from other elements, but this is unreliable.

Multiple H1 tags: Using more than one H1 dilutes the primary topic signal. Keep one H1 per page.

Skipping levels: Jumping from H1 to H3 without an H2 breaks the hierarchy. Assistive technology users lose context. Always maintain sequential order.

Headings for styling: Using heading tags purely for visual boldness instead of semantic structure confuses both search engines and screen readers.

Best practices

Your H1 should match or closely relate to your title tag. Use descriptive, keyword-rich headings that tell the reader what each section contains. Every page needs an H1. Use H2s to break content into major ideas. Use H3s for supporting points under H2s.