When writing blogs, there are many important things on our checklist. First, you want to ensure that your blog is filled with good information, links, and keywords. But all of that won’t be meaningful if you don’t have proper SEO headings and header structure. So how do you make sure your SEO headings make the grade?
What is an SEO Heading?
When discussing SEO headings, they aren’t that different from headers on any other written piece.
The Purpose of the Heading is to:
- Structure content of the blog
- Briefly describe the section of content
- Break up pieces of text within the blog to make it easier to read
- Provide context
What is a Heading Structure?
Headings designate a new, specific section, or subsection, of content within a page. Generally, they will have more prominent text, whether larger, bolder, or in branded colors, so they will stand out.
Heading structures, also known as heading hierarchy, refer to where and how heading tags appear on the web page. The order of the headers on the page will affect how those headings will interact with one another. For example, an H2 heading will typically be used for primary sections of content. Therefore, if another H2 heading follows an H2 heading, this will suggest that the content has moved on to a new section. However, if an H3 heading follows an H2 heading, one might expect the content to move deeper into the current section.
What are Heading Tags?
Heading tags, part of HTML, are used to determine the hierarchy of each heading. They will range from H1-H6, looking like this:
- H1 Heading – Page Title – every page should have one, and only one, H1 heading
- H2 Heading – Primary Subheadings
- H3 Heading – Subsection within an H2
- H4 Heading – Subsection within an H3
- H5 Heading – Subsection within an H4
- H6 Heading – Subsection within an H5
As you move through the SEO headings, the content will become more specific. Generally, it will be rare for blog content to move past the H4 heading. Your header tags will determine the content’s importance and should also introduce what the upcoming section will contain.
How Does SEO Heading Structure Affect Your SEO?
When deciding upon your SEO headings, it is wise to review what is important to SEO. You want SEO headings that are clear and concise. They will help users navigate the large field of search engine results and find what sites will help them the most. If you have a poor header structure, your bounce rate (users coming to your page and leaving quickly) will increase, weakening your site’s authority and pushing your content down in search engine results.
Should Keywords Be in SEO Headings?
In a word, yes, keywords deserve a space to shine in your headings. SEO headings are an excellent opportunity to place your long-tail keywords since they represent what people enter in their search bar. When keywords are relevant to your content, see if you can place them naturally in the headers. Doing this will allow Google to understand the page content and see what is relevant, improving the ranking in search engine results.
As with everything else with blogs, word choice matters. Writing headers with SEO in mind will guarantee that your blogs bring the search results you desire. A little tweak in wording goes a long way!