On Page Seo

Heading Hierarchy

The structured order of headings on a page, from H1 through H6. It creates a logical outline that helps search engines understand content structure and helps users scan the page.

Why Heading Hierarchy Matters for SEO

A clean heading hierarchy makes your content easier for Google to parse into subtopics and increases your chances of winning featured snippets. It also makes your content accessible and scannable for readers who skim before they commit.

How Heading Hierarchy Works

Start with one H1, then use H2s for main sections and H3s for subsections within those. Never skip levels. Think of it like a table of contents where each level nests logically under the one above it.

Common Mistakes

  • Skipping heading levels like jumping from H2 to H4
  • Using headings for styling instead of structure
  • Creating a flat structure with no subheadings to break up content
About the Author

Lawrence Hitches is an AI SEO consultant based in Melbourne and General Manager of StudioHawk. He specialises in AI search visibility, technical SEO, and organic growth strategy. Book a free consultation →