In a recent discussion, John Mueller from Google shared insights about using headings on web pages. Many webmasters wonder if fixing heading structures will affect their site rankings, and John has some valuable points to make.
What are Hierarchical Headings?
Hierarchical headings refer to how headings are arranged on a web page, like H1 and H2 tags. These headings help organize content by indicating what is most important. However, “importance,” in this case, simply means the page’s structure, not how high it ranks in search results.
Typically, a web page will have one H1 heading — showing the main topic — and several H2 headings to outline different sections. Interestingly, Google doesn’t always require the first heading to be an H1; it can be an H2 or another type. This means website owners don’t have absolute control over how Google interprets headings.
Are Incorrectly Ordered Headings Bad for SEO?
One Reddit user asked if having headings out of order could harm SEO. They were curious if it’s an issue to have an H4 heading before an H1 or if skipping an H2 heading entirely is problematic.
Here’s the question:
“How harmful is it to have non-sequential header tags? Like having an H4 before H1 or using H4, H3, H5 but not H2?”
H1 and H2 Headings Have a Slight Impact
John Mueller confirmed that the order of headings has a negligible effect. While he didn’t classify it as a significant ranking factor, he mentioned that proper heading order can make it easier for search engines to understand the content. This is good not only for SEO but also for making content accessible to all users.
John advised:
“Doing things properly (right order of headings) is a good practice. It helps search engines understand your content better and is good for accessibility. If you’re setting up a new site or making significant changes, it’s worth taking the time to do this right.”
Sometimes, headings might not follow the ideal order due to styling choices in website templates. In WordPress, for instance, one may need to adjust the CSS settings to fix this.
Fixing Headings Won’t Improve Rankings
This brings us to a point that might confuse some SEO enthusiasts: fixing your headings won’t boost your site’s rankings.
Years ago, the structure of headings was crucial for ranking on Google. But times have changed. By 2005, their impact had significantly decreased, as many pages without proper headings still ranked well. Despite this, some in the SEO community still believe headings are a major ranking factor.
John reiterated:
“If you fix your heading structure, it won’t change your rankings. You’ll find much more value in focusing on overall improvements to your site.”
This means that site owners should concentrate on providing valuable, well-organized content for users instead of stressing over how Google uses headings. John’s insights remind us that creating user-friendly pages is key while also hinting at how Google views headings.
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