(Hint – This article title you’re reading is an H1 Tag)
If you’ve ever looked at a webpage or blog with a title, chances are you were looking at an H1 header, which would have appeared in source code as an H1 tag.
H1 tags are part of the six different title tags that tell search engines such as Google what the page is about. These HTML tags are also essential for web browsers, as the code tells the browser how the page should look to viewers.
Arguably the most important title tag, H1 is the first one people see. Search engines will also index pages with H1 tags to properly rank them, which makes H1 tags essential for your SEO efforts.
Let’s take a closer look at H1 tags and how they can help with your SEO.
H1 Tags Categorize Content and Boost Search Engine Rankings
It’s imperative for search engines and visitors to understand the topic of your page at a glance. People who can easily understand your page or article based on its H1 tag have a better chance of sticking around to read your content.
However, this isn’t the only reason H1 tags are essential. They help organize your website’s most important pages and the content on those pages. Without H1 headings, search engines (and people) can become confused about the content on your website.
H1 tags should ideally be paired with H2 and H3 headings to make the content more digestible and improve the experience people have on your website. Although H2 and H3 tags aren’t as important as H1, they are still beneficial for your readers and may support search engine rankings.
Lack of H2 and H3 tags within the content can make it more difficult for people to skim the article or page. If your information isn’t easy to scan, people may not engage with your content and find another page that’s easier to read.
How to Properly Use H1 Tags
H1 tags are most beneficial for the core pages on your website, but you can certainly use them on every page.
When creating H1 tags, use title case and only use one tag per page. You can have several headers per page, although keep in mind that in cases such as these, H2 or H3 tags may be more appropriate, as having more than one H1 won’t necessarily boost your SEO.
Be as descriptive as possible when writing H1 tags. Remember, besides their ability to improve SEO, H1 tags are meant to attract people and encourage them to click on your page or article. The catch is that H1 tags should be 70 characters or less, although you can go up to 100. Also, keep in mind that each H1 should be unique.
H1 tags should also use a keyword or keywords. Keywords or phrases support your search engine rankings and help people find you when searching for information on the internet. With a brief, descriptive title tag that contains a keyword or phrase, you are on your way to improving your SEO efforts for your website.
Why Should You Optimize Your H1 Tags?
The more descriptive information you provide Google about your content with H1 tags, helps improve your online visibility. So populating your content with H1 tags will ensure you get maximum exposure in the search engine results (SERPs), thus supporting and strengthening your SEO.
Is Your Site Optimized With H1 Tags?
Often, websites struggling to rank in search engines are missing title tags on their most important pages. Fortunately, it’s relatively simple to go back and correct these missing components. Is your website optimized with descriptive H1 tags with relevant keywords or phrases?
Have questions about H1 tags and SEO strategies? Get answers and digital marketing ideas by contacting our team at Gazz Consulting for a free consultation.
