Header tags are one of the most fundamental elements of a well-structured blog post. They guide readers through your content, improve accessibility, and help search engines understand your content's structure.
But using headings properly requires more than just adding a few bold titles to your text.
In this post, we'll walk you through how to use header tags effectively and why it matters for your WordPress site.
What are header tags and how do they impact SEO?
A heading is a title or subtitle that introduces a section of content on a website post or page. In HTML, headings are defined by tags ranging from <h1> to <h6>, with <h1> being the most important and <h6> the least.
These tags indicate the hierarchy of your content, helping both readers and search engine robots understand how your ideas are organized.
For example:
- H1: The post or page title
- H2: Main sections (this section of this very blog post uses an H2 header tag!)
- H3: Subsections under H2
- H4: Additional details under H3
Properly formatted headings dramatically improve the readability and scannability of your site as well, as they break up large sections of text.
How many H1s should you have?
One. A blog post should have exactly one <h1> tag, which serves as the main title of the page. Using multiple <h1> tags can confuse search engines about what the post or page is actually about and negatively impact your SEO.
A good H1 should:
- Be clear and descriptive, reflecting the search intent.
- Contain your primary keyword.
- Be unique to each post or page on your site.
For example, say you're writing a post about a skillet flatbread recipe. A good H1 (using the guidelines above) might be "Easy Skillet Flatbread Recipe."
"The Recipe I Make Every Week" is an example of an H1 that isn't clear or descriptive and doesn't contain our primary keyword ("skillet flatbread recipe").
How to avoid keyword stuffing in headings
A big benefit of using headings properly is to maximize the SEO potential of your post. While it's tempting to load your headings with keywords (aka "keyword stuffing") to start ranking for a particular keyword, this can do more harm than good.
Keyword stuffing is a spammy tactic that can make your content sound unnatural and lead to poor-quality content that will rank poorly in search results.
Instead, focus on writing headings that clearly describe the content of the section using natural language. Incorporate keywords sparingly and only when they fit organically.
For example, instead of a heading that says, "Best Dog Beds: Top Dog Beds for Large Dogs That Nap," a better, more readable heading might be, "The Best Dog Beds for Large Breeds."
This will ensure your headings are reader-friendly while still supporting your SEO goals. It's a win-win!
If you're worried your post might be keyword-stuffed, run it through this helpful SEO checker from SEM Rush. It will magically calculate the keyword density for the body, headlines, and meta description of your post.
How header tags impact accessibility
Headings play an important role in making your content accessible to all users, including those who rely on screen readers. Screen readers use headings to navigate content, allowing users to jump directly to the sections they're interested in.
When writing headings for accessibility, consider the following tips:
- Use headings to create a structure: Ensure your headings reflect the hierarchy of the post. For example, use H2s for main sections and H3s for subsections.
- Avoid skipping levels: Don't jump from an H2 to an H5. This can confuse screen readers and make your content harder to navigate. In the next section, we'll talk more about how to properly nest headings.
- Keep headings descriptive: Avoid vague headings like "Conclusion" or "Details." Instead, use headings that clearly describe the content, such as "Final thoughts on garden compost" or "Tips on how to make your own compost."
You can learn more about the proper use of heading for accessibility on a WordPress site in this post, Improve Your Site's Accessibility.
Tools for testing heading accessibility
Here are a few tools you can use as part of your publishing workflow to ensure your content is accessible:
- Chrome Accessibility Report: The Chrome accessibility report is an easy-to-use resource built right into your Google Chrome browser when you want to quickly test a single page on your site.
- Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker: This freemium WordPress plugin from Equalize Digital goes beyond just headings to ensure your site is accessible to a wide range of visitors.
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool: A free tool you can use to scan any page on your site for accessibility issues. When you're looking to improve headings, check for the 'structural elements' part of the report.
How to properly nest your header tags
Proper nesting of headings is essential for maintaining a logical flow in your content. Think back to your school days and treat your headings as an outline:
- H1: The main topic of your post or page
- H2: Sections that support the main topic
- H3: Subsections provide details or examples and are nested under an H2.
- H4, H5, and H6: Additional layers of detail as needed.
Here's an example of correct header tag nesting:
<h1>A beginner's guide to beekeeping</h1> <h2>Why keep bees</h2> <h3>Environmental benefits</h3> <h3>Personal rewards</h3> <h2>Getting started with beekeeping</h2> <h3>Basic equipment</h3> <h3>Choosing a location</h3> <h3>City regulations and permitting</h3>
Once in a while, you may be tempted to incorrectly nest your headings as a way to apply a particular style. Try to avoid this. Incorrect nesting can disrupt the flow and confuse both readers and search engines.
You can always adjust your site CSS to change the styles of your headings site-wide.
How many headings are too many?
The number of header tags you use depends on the length and complexity of your blog post. A good rule of thumb is to include a heading for every 300–500 words. This helps break up your content into bite-sized pieces, making it easier for readers to follow along.
If you have a 1,000-word blog post it might include:
- 1
<h1> tag as the title. - 3-5
<h2> tags for major sections. - A handful of
<h3> tags for subsections, as needed.
Don't overdo it, though. Too many headings can make your content look cluttered and overwhelming.
Additional tips for using headings effectively
When you're asking yourself if and when you should add headings throughout your post or page content, follow these simple guidelines:
- Keep headings short: Aim for headings that are concise and to the point. While Google doesn't have a limit on characters, keep it focused on the search query.
- Avoid overloading with styles: Headings should stand out visually, but don't rely on excessive styling like all caps or bold text. Let the hierarchy and natural formatting do the work for you.
- Test your headings: Preview your posts and pages to make sure your headings create a logical structure. Check how they appear on different devices, especially mobile.
- Think about search intent: Use headings to address common questions your audience might have. This not only improves readability but also increases the likelihood of ranking in search engine results.
- Use headings to break up dense content: Long paragraphs can be exhausting to readers. Use headings to segment your content into manageable sections.
How to edit header tags on your WordPress posts and pages
There are multiple ways you can add header tags to your content with WordPress. Let's look at a couple different methods.
Add a title
This first one requires no extra work on your end! Woo hoo!
By adding a title to your post or page, you're automatically adding the one and only <h1> tag you need. WordPress takes care of this for you.
Use the Heading block
You'll need to insert all other headings manually. Remember that header tags should be nested naturally. You'll use the Heading block to add all H2s, H3s, H4s, H5s, and H6s to your posts and pages.
To add the Heading block, click the + Block Inserter icon and search for "heading." Click it to add the block to the post or page.
You can also type /heading on a new line in the editor and press enter to quickly add a Heading block. You can also use markdown syntax by typing hashtags (#) in front of your heading text like this:
## Why I love this recipe
That will magically turn into an H2 heading because you used two hashtags! Use the appropriate number of hashtags to correspond to the header you're wanting to use.
Be sure to explore our Heading block support article for even more information about the ways you can customize your post or page headings.
A final word on using header tags effectively
Headings are more than just decorative elements—they're a tool for organizing your content, improving accessibility, and enhancing SEO. Keep in mind that the goal is simply to make your content as easy to navigate as possible.
Whether your readers are skimming for key points or diving deep into the details, properly used headings will guide them every step of the way.
