Heading Tag Checker
Audit the H1 through H6 heading structure on any webpage to find hierarchy issues, duplicate H1s, and missing tags.
Heading Structure Rules
The checks this tool runs, and why each matters for SEO and accessibility.
| Rule | Why it matters | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Exactly one H1 | Strongest topical signal to search engines. Critical for accessibility landmark navigation. | Best practice |
| No skipped levels | Screen readers read the outline sequentially. Skips break the mental model for users and crawlers. | Warning |
| No empty headings | Empty headings dilute keyword signals and confuse screen readers that announce the count. | Warning |
| H1 at the top | The first heading should describe the page. A nested H1 suggests the template is broken. | Info |
| Reasonable length | Headings over 120 characters read as paragraphs. Split into a heading + a lead sentence. | Info |
| Keywords in H1 / H2 | Not a direct ranking factor, but the most visible place to signal topic to Google. | Best practice |
What Are Heading Tags?
Heading tags - <h1> through <h6> - are the HTML elements that define the document outline of a page. The H1 names the main topic. H2s split that topic into major sections. H3s-H6 subdivide each section further. Search engines use this outline to understand what a page is about and how its content is organized; screen readers use it as the primary way blind users navigate content.
This checker fetches any public URL, strips out navigation and script noise, and rebuilds the heading outline as the browser would render it. It flags every issue that matters for SEO and WCAG accessibility: missing H1s, multiple H1s, skipped levels, empty headings, and headings so long they read like paragraphs. Run your most important pages through it any time you ship a new template - heading regressions are one of the most common unnoticed SEO bugs after a CMS change.
Use one H1 per page
A single H1 removes ambiguity for crawlers and accessibility tools. Even though Google tolerates multiples, cleaner is always better.
Put keywords in your H1 and first H2
These are the highest-visibility locations for on-page keyword signals. Use the exact phrase your page is trying to rank for.
Keep the outline sequential
H1 → H2 → H3 → H4, never H1 → H3. If you want a smaller visual style, use CSS, not a demotion to a deeper heading tag.
Don't use headings for style only
A bolded section title inside a paragraph should be <strong>, not an H2. Save heading tags for actual section breaks in the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about heading tags and SEO hierarchy.
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