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Using Header Tags Properly

What are Header Tags?

Header tags are used to differentiate the heading of the page from the rest of your content. There are six head elements, H1 through H6.  Most websites will usually take advantage of h1 through h3 but there are 6 head tags. They are referred to as HTML header tags, header tags, head tags, and headings tags. They are a very important part of your “on-page ranking factors”.

The most important heading tag is the h1 tag and the least is the h6 tag. In HTML coding header tags from h1 to h6 have a hierarchy. It is a good practice not to skip the hierarchy and to have one h1 tag per page.

The h1 tag is usually reserved for the page’s main headline. Having multiple h1 tags on a single page or post tends to confuse the search engine. According to Matt Cutts, “having multiple h1 is ok if there is a logical reason to have them”.

 

What about having Multiple <h2> or <h3>  tags?

Having multiple h2 and h3 tags is perfectly acceptable if the structure of the content makes sense. You still want to follow the hierarchy of HTML tags. A good example of this use would be

<h1>Main heading</h1>,

<h2>secondary heading</h2>,

<h2> secondary heading</h2>

<h3> Heading</h3>

Using tags out of order on your website is not a good practice as in this example

<h1>Main heading</h1>

<h3> Heading</h3>

<h2>secondary heading</h2>

<h3> Heading</h3>

In the above example, the HTML structure is broken and would not be SEO friendly. The h1 through h6 tag can be used for adding relevant keywords to your website.  In the past using the “Keyword Meta Tag” was acceptable but in the last few years, google and other search engines ignore it.

Use only a few relevant keywords in your header tags. Do not overstuff the header tags with keywords. Use the content below the header tags to add more relevant keywords.

How to determine if my website is using header tags

In Chrome,

Open up chrome and type in the website URL you want to view

  1. Open up chrome and type in the website URL you want to check
  2. In the upper right corner, click the three little bars (Looks like a hamburger)
  3. Then click more tools
  4. Thank click view source, This will open another browser window with the HTML code of the site
  5. Hold down the Ctrl key and select the F key letter
  6. Type in h1 into the box and hit enter
  7. This will now highlight the sections of your site that are using the H1 tag
  8. Follow the same steps for h2, h3, h4, h5, and h6

Conclusion

Using properly constructed Header tags will assist in your onsite ranking factors. Follow the simple rules of only one h1 tag per page and the hierarchy of HTML tags. You are on your way to a better page and ranking

Conclusion

Using properly constructed Header tags will assist in your on-site ranking factors. Follow the simple rules of only one h1 tag per page and the hierarchy of HTML tags. You are on your way to a better page and ranking

[schema type=”person” name=”Tim Roberts” orgname=”Local First SEO” jobtitle=”SEO” worksfor=”Local First SEO” url=”www.localfirstseo.com” description=”Header tags” city=”Lewisville” state=”TX” postalcode=”75056″ email=”info@localfirstseo.com” ]

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