Anyone creating website content has likely heard of header tags. What exactly are they and why are they important? At their most basic description, header tags are used to separate sections of content and are often used in place of bold headings.
When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), header tags are effective in providing the potential reader (as well as Google Analytics) about the topic of the page. While they are an important aspect of page design and SEO techniques, use them with discretion for the best results.
About header tags
Under the style settings on a word processor, header tags are typically listed in a number of “sizes” from H1 through H6. How do you know which one to use? Where do you use them properly?
Header 1 tags (H1) are typically used to denote the title of the page or the title of an article or blog. In other words, this tag should give the reader a good idea of what the topic or theme of the content revolves around. These headers are the largest so using too many within an article or blog topic can be off-putting.
Header tags such as H2 and H3 are typically utilized to form subheadings. When using these headers, use them consistently throughout the site. Don’t change from one to the other randomly. Stick with your title case formatting throughout. Avoid switching from bolded headings to header tags and then back again.
Header tags 4 through 6 can further define the overall structure of longer articles or blog content.
The header tag is important for search engines to identify the content of any given page. After that, other SEO strategies and techniques will serve to hopefully increase rankings, depending on how easy the content is to navigate, read, and understand.
It’s all about structure
Header text provides structure to your articles, web pages, and blog content. A header should define for the reader an idea of the type and scope of information found below it. Header tags are also important in breaking up long pieces of information.
No one likes to read large blocks of information without some relief. In other words, it’s important to make all website pages as reader-friendly as possible. Using header tags is a good way to achieve this. In fact, Google analytics likes it when websites are user-friendly.
SEO and header tags
Header tags are a great place to insert keywords into the content of your website pages. Again, use discretion to avoid the risk of being deemed “spam”. Besides, today’s readers tend to know when keywords have been crammed into either content or titles and subtitles of content (in header tags).
The most important thing to remember when creating header tags and use of keywords for SEO is to focus on your potential client or visitors. In other words, put readers first. Insert keywords in your header tags (single word or long tail keywords or phrases) in a natural way that enhances the content and doesn’t detract from it. Craig Cooper SEO is an excellent choice if you are looking for internet marketing in Indianapolis.
