This article covers everything you need to know about heading tags SEO; how they work, why they matter, and how to use them to boost your visibility on Google. By following this guide, you’ll learn how to optimize the heading tags of any page to improve search engine rankings and user experience.
TL;DR — Heading Tags SEO Checklist
• Use one H1 tag only — it should clearly state the main topic of your page.
• Structure major sections with H2s and use H3s for supporting points.
• Include “heading tags SEO” naturally in your title, intro, one H2, one FAQ, and conclusion.
• Avoid keyword stuffing — make headings readable and concise.
• Keep a logical order (H1 → H2 → H3).
• Ensure every heading matches the content below it.
• Update image alt text to include “heading tags SEO.”
• Maintain all existing internal links — they already support your SEO.
• If adding any new links, use descriptive anchor text.
Want a deeper foundation before you tweak headings? Review our guide to blog formatting for clear structure and readability.
What are Heading Tags?
The heading tag is an HTML element that defines headings on website pages. They organize your content into digestible sections, helping both users and search engines understand your page structure.
There are six types of heading tags: H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, and H6.
Each serves its own purpose — H1 is the most important, H6 the least.
Other common terms include header tags or H tags.
Related: What is Image Alt Text?
Header tag example hierarchy
To show you exactly how header tags are used in the real world, we’ve included a quick example from a post we published recently.
- 87 SEO tools to boost your rankings (H1) – Main Topic
- Local SEO Tools (H2) – Sub Topic
- SEM Rush (H3) – Sub Sub Topic
- Google Search Console (H3)
- Bright Local (H3)
- Keyword Research Tools (H2)
- Ubersuggest (H3)
- Ahrefs Keywords Explorer (H3)
- KeywordTool.io (H3)
- Local SEO Tools (H2) – Sub Topic
This should clear up any confusion about how to organize your header tags.
Heading Tags Improve Accessibility — and SEO Reach
Heading tags are valuable for users with visual impairments. Screen readers rely on them to navigate a page efficiently. By structuring your headings properly, you make your content accessible and easier for search engines to index.
Why are header tags important?
Header tags make it easier for users to skim your page and help search engines understand what it’s about.
For example, our post on How to Do Keyword Research uses heading tags to guide readers through subtopics naturally.
Header tags also reinforce topical relevance — a major ranking signal for Google.
What is an H1 tag?
Your H1 tells users and search engines exactly what your page is about. It’s the page’s main headline — use it once per page.
How many H1 tags should you use per page?
Only one. Multiple H1s can confuse crawlers and dilute your main topic. Still unsure if your H1 should match the blog title? Read our take on when the H1 should be your blog title for SEO.
How long should an H1 tag be?
Keep it under about 70–80 characters for clarity and keyword focus.
What is an H2 Tag?
H2 tags define your page’s main sections. For example, this very section starts with an H2 tag.
Each H2 should expand on your H1’s topic — in this case, Heading Tags SEO.
How many H2 tags should you use per page?
Use one for each major subtopic. A 1,000-word article might have 5–10 H2s.
How long should an H2 tag be?
Long enough to be descriptive, but short enough to scan quickly. Include relevant keywords naturally.
Related: Long Tail vs Short Tail keywords
What is an H3 Tag?
H3s expand on your H2 subtopics — think of them as mini-sections.
Use H3 tags if your content under any H2 exceeds about 300 words. They make long sections more straightforward to navigate and improve dwell time.
How many H3 tags should you use per page?
Depending on how long and in depth your content is, the amount of H3 tags you use will vary. It’s good practice to use H3 tags if the content written under any H2 tag is longer than 300 words. Use H3 tags to break up and organize the content written under each H2 tag.
How long should an H3 tag be?
Try not to be excessive with how long any of your tags are, including H3 tags. As long as your H3 tags reflect and elaborate on your H2 tag, you’ll be fine.
H4, H5, and H6 tags
These are rarely needed for blog posts. They’re often used in page builders like WordPress or Shopify for widgets, footers, or related post sections.
If your content goes deeper than H3, it’s usually time to create a new article instead. Headings work best when your pages are connected logically—use our internal linking guide to reinforce your structure.
Best Practices for Writing Heading Tags
When planning your content, write an outline — each major point can become an H2, and supporting ideas can become H3s.
Give It Structure and Be Consistent
Avoid repeating keywords in every heading just to rank. Instead, write clear, logical headings that make sense to the reader.
Our main topic is Heading Tags SEO, with subtopics like “Best Practices for Writing Heading Tags,” then sub-subtopics such as “Give It Structure and Be Consistent” and “How Many Headings Are Considered Excessive?”
This structure makes your post skimmable and SEO-friendly.
How Many Heading Tags Are Considered Excessive?
There’s no strict limit — just balance your headings with paragraph text. Too many consecutive headings without content can hurt readability.
Using Keywords in Your Heading Tags
Use keywords naturally in your headings. For example, if you’re writing about “How to take care of a cat,” readers expect headings like “How often should cats eat?” and “Do cats need a bed?”
Avoid keyword stuffing. It’s ineffective and can reduce clarity.
The difference between H1 tags and title tags
Your H1 and title tag are often similar but serve slightly different purposes.
-
The title tag appears on Google search results.
-
The H1 tag appears on your actual webpage.
Example:
In our search result for Web Design Hamilton, the blue text is the title tag, while the page itself displays that same phrase as the H1.
It’s perfectly fine — and common — for your H1 and title tag to be identical or nearly so.
Example: Simple SEO-Friendly Outline
H1: Heading Tags SEO — The Ultimate Guide to H1, H2 & H3
H2: What Are Heading Tags?
H3: Why Headings Matter for SEO
H2: Best Practices for Writing Heading Tags
H3: Common Mistakes to Avoid
H2: Example Page Outline You Can Copy
Great headings also deserve precise link text—learn how descriptive anchor text can improve your SEO.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heading Tags SEO
Do heading tags help SEO?
Yes. Headings define your content hierarchy and help search engines understand the page’s relevance while improving readability for users.
How many H1 tags should a page have for SEO?
Only one. It should summarize your page’s topic clearly.
H2 vs. H3 for SEO — what’s the difference?
H2s outline main sections, while H3s organize points within them. Keep a clean hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3).
Looking for another SEO Guide? Check out our Local SEO Checklist!
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