Header tags help structure your content for both users and search engines. Understanding the difference between H1 and H2 tags is fundamental to on-page SEO.
What Is an H1 Tag?
The H1 tag is your main page heading. It tells users and search engines what the page is about. Every page should have exactly one H1 tag.
Best practices for H1:
- Use only one H1 per page
- Include your primary keyword
- Make it descriptive and compelling
- Keep it under 60 characters when possible
What Is an H2 Tag?
H2 tags are subheadings that break your content into sections. They support your H1 by covering subtopics. You can use multiple H2 tags on a page.
Best practices for H2:
- Use H2s to organize major sections
- Include secondary keywords naturally
- Make them scannable and descriptive
- Use as many as your content needs
The Complete Header Hierarchy
H1: Main page title (1 per page)
H2: Major sections (multiple allowed)
H3: Subsections within H2s
H4-H6: Further subdivisions (rarely needed)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Multiple H1 tags: Use only one per page
- Skipping levels: Do not jump from H1 to H3
- Using headers for styling: Use CSS instead
- Keyword stuffing: Write naturally
Do Header Tags Affect Rankings?
Yes, but indirectly. Headers help Google understand your content structure and topic coverage. Well-organized content tends to rank better and keeps users engaged longer.
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