When you’re optimizing your website’s pages for better organic search performance, both from a content and technical perspective, it’s easy to get bogged down by the sheer number of variables to consider. Google reportedly looks at over 200 different factors when deciding where to rank a page. However, understanding and addressing all of those factors can be overwhelming and unnecessary.
Within those 200 ranking factors, a smaller subset carries more weight than the rest. Focusing on those key components is a more effective – and far less stressful – way to optimize your site’s content. One of those components is the H1 tag, often referred to as the page’s title. In many cases, a blog post’s title often serves as an H1 tag, helping search engines better understand the content and improve rankings. Despite its importance to SEO, there’s still some confusion around its use, especially when it comes to the question, how many H1 tags per page? The blog post title serves as a critical identifier for the content, enhancing visibility while also maintaining an attractive and clear presentation for readers.
What is an H1 Tag?
An H1 tag is an HTML element that defines the main title of a page. The “H” in H1 stands for “heading” and among all HTML header tags, H1 is the most important for SEO. This primary heading is seen by search engines as a key indicator of the page’s overall topic and helps determine not only where the page shows up in search results but also its ranking position on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Besides the main H1 heading, a well-structured page will have a hierarchy of subheadings to break up the content. These subheadings are assigned sequential header tags, H2, H3, H4, and so on, based on their level of importance in the page’s content structure. Here’s an example of how this header tag hierarchy is generally structured to provide clarity for users and search engines.
When you’re working on your SEO strategy, H tags are useful for targeting specific parts of the content to optimise. But remember, these tags are part of the HTML code. Effective optimization often requires looking at the content itself and its structure, which we’ll get into later.
How Many H1 Tags Per Page for SEO?
When it comes to H1 tags and SEO, the question arises – how many should you have on a page? Google’s John Mueller clarifies that using multiple H1 tags won’t adversely affect search rankings and can enhance user experience. Opinions are divided, even among experts. Google says it’s okay to have multiple H1 tags on a page. But most SEOs recommend one and that it should be the main page title (not to be confused with the title tag in the HTML).
While both arguments have some merit, focus on the purpose of an H1 tag rather than the number. H1 tags are meant to signal the main title – or primary topic – of your page’s content. To understand this better, let’s take a quick look at the history of H1 tags and SEO.
H1 Tags & SEO
Several years ago when Google’s algorithms were less sophisticated, websites were structured in a more traditional way with a defined heading hierarchy. At that time, the H1 tag gave Google valuable insight into the main topic of a page and helped the search engine decide which rankings the content was relevant for.
Now Google’s algorithms are much more advanced. Whether or not a page has an H1 tag, Google can still figure out the main title and use that for ranking. So the H1 tag itself may not carry as much weight as a standalone ranking factor. Instead the focus has shifted to the page’s main heading or title. Usually this is the primary heading and the main topic indicator for the content. So focus on optimizing this main heading to communicate the page’s purpose to both Google and readers. In content marketing, the intent behind keywords significantly influences the creation of H1 tags, as articles are typically aimed at informing readers rather than selling products.
Should You Use Multiple H1 Tags?
Back to the original question, having multiple H1 tags on a page isn’t a problem. But for SEO purposes, it’s best to have one clear title that matches your target keyword. So your page delivers the most SEO value. You could technically use multiple H1 tags for subheadings but using an H1 tag for the sake of using an H1 tag won’t give you any additional benefits.
It’s often better to stick to a traditional, structured heading hierarchy – H1 for the main title, H2, H3, and so on for subheadings. This makes it easier for search engines to understand the structure of your content and for users to read. This can lead to better SEO and potentially more conversions by providing a clear and logical flow of information. Regular audits are essential to identify issues and ensure that webmasters can make necessary adjustments without hindering their SEO efforts.
Are H1 Tags Still Relevant for SEO?
When used as the main heading of a web page, H1 tags are important. But their importance in on-page optimisation is even more pronounced when the main page title isn’t the first H tag on the page. For example if your main page title is different from the first H tag on the page, using the H1 tag strategically can help search engines figure out what you intend the main heading to be. So even if other headings come before it, as in the example below.
More Advantages of H1 tags
Beyond SEO, H1 tags are important for webpage accessibility, especially for screen reader users. They are especially useful for users who use screen readers as these tools use the H1 tag to quickly communicate the main topic and purpose of the page. By providing clear and structured information, H1 tags make content more accessible and easier to read to a wider audience.
So, Multiple H1 Tags?
Is it okay to have multiple H1 tags on one page for SEO? Generally no. But that doesn’t mean it’s always bad. It’s all about focus with one clear main title supported by a structured hierarchy of subheadings. This helps search engines understand your content and users to have a clear layout.
In short, the H1 tag isn’t important because of the tag itself – it’s important because it’s usually the main title and topic of the page. A well-optimized, focused main title is what brings value and that’s where you should be focusing for the best results. Website owners should understand why H1 tags are crucial in website design and SEO, aiding both user navigation and search engine indexing.
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