How heading levels work

Think of headings as the table of contents of a page. Each level sits inside the one above it:

<h1>Wedding photographer in London</h1>
  <h2>How a wedding shoot works</h2>
    <h3>Before the day</h3>
    <h3>On the day</h3>
  <h2>Our prices</h2>
  <h2>Frequently asked questions</h2>

Most pages only need H1, H2 and H3. H4 to H6 are rarely necessary outside long technical documents.

Why headings matter

  • Search engines use headings to understand the topics a page covers and how they relate.
  • AI tools often lift a single section to answer a question. A clear heading that states what the section answers makes that section easier to find and use.
  • Screen reader users jump between headings to navigate, much as sighted visitors scan.
  • Readers scan headings before deciding whether to read. Clear headings keep them on the page.

How many H1 tags should a page have?

Google has said that several H1s on a page won't cause a problem. Even so, one H1 that clearly states what the page is about is the clearest structure for readers, screen readers and search engines alike. On most sites, the H1 should match the topic of the page title.

Common heading mistakes

  • Choosing headings for their size. Heading levels describe structure. If you want bigger or smaller text, change the design, not the tag.
  • Skipping levels, such as going from H2 straight to H4. It breaks the outline for screen reader users.
  • Making the logo the H1 on every page. Every page then has the same main title, which tells nobody what the page is about.
  • Vague headings like "Overview" or "More information". A heading should say what the section contains.
  • Keyword stuffing. Headings written for search engines read badly and help nobody.
  • Styled text instead of headings. Bold text that looks like a heading is invisible to search engines and screen readers as a heading.

How to check your headings

Browser extensions such as HeadingsMap show a page's heading outline in a click. Read it on its own: if the outline alone tells you what the page covers, the structure is right. On the websites we build, the CMS sets the H1 from the page title, so there is always exactly one.

Frequently asked questions

Is the H1 the same as the title tag?

No. The title tag appears in search results and the browser tab. The H1 is the main heading visible on the page. They are often similar, but they don't have to be identical.

Do headings help a page rank?

They help search engines understand the page, which supports ranking for the right searches. On their own they won't make a weak page rank.

Can I use more than one H1?

Google says it won't cause a problem, but one clear H1 per page is still the simplest and most accessible structure.

Lay Nadji is the founder of ShiftCode, with over 25 years of experience in IT and 15 years in the web industry, working with small businesses, luxury brands and professional services on SEO, content and websites.