What are heading tags (H1–H6)?

Heading tags (H1–H6), explained

The <h1> is the page's main heading, usually matching the title tag in meaning. <h2> marks main sections, <h3> subsections within them, and so on. Screen readers use headings to let people jump through a page, and search engines use them, along with everything else on the page, to understand its structure and topics.

A few myths need retiring. Google's SEO Starter Guide says the order of headings, semantically, doesn't matter for Google Search, although a logical order helps screen reader users. Google's docs don't set a one-H1 rule either. There's no bonus for stuffing keywords into every heading. The simple convention of one <h1> per page and a logical H2/H3 outline is still the best default, because it's clearest for people and assistive technology.

Headings also affect how your page shows in search. Google's title link documentation lists headings and the main visual title as sources it can use when it rewrites a title. If your <h1> is vague ("Welcome") while your title tag is specific, Google may pick something else. And question-style <h2>s followed by a direct answer make a section easy to quote in featured snippets and AI answers.

Common problems come from design systems: headings used for visual size rather than structure, logos wrapped in <h1> on every page, or sections styled as headings but coded as <div>s.

Why it matters for founders

Headings are cheap to get right and help three audiences at once: skimming readers, screen reader users and search engines deciding what your page is about.

Example

Your pricing page's only <h1> is the logo. You make the logo a plain link, add <h1>Pricing</h1>, and turn each plan and the FAQ into <h2> sections with clear labels.

Common mistakes

• Using heading tags for font size instead of structure.
• Wrapping the logo in an <h1> on every page.
• Vague headings like "Overview" and "More info".
• Styling section titles as headings without using heading tags.