Chasing an SEO Myth
Why Does the Number of H1 Tags on a Page Not Matter?
Many website owners and marketers encounter the claim that “There should only be one H1 tag per page, or your SEO will suffer.” Traditionally, SEO professionals and web developers adhered to the idea that using a single H1 tag was the correct approach. However, with the evolution of modern search engine algorithms, this statement has become less relevant. Let’s explore why the number of H1 tags doesn’t impact modern SEO strategies!
Google Doesn’t Rely on a Strict Hierarchy of Tags
Google has officially stated that its algorithm does not strictly regulate the number of H1 tags and does not penalize pages with multiple H1 headings. John Mueller, a Google spokesperson, has repeatedly confirmed that the quantity of H1 tags is irrelevant and that search engines can understand a page’s content even if multiple main headings are present.
Modern websites, such as landing pages that are divided into sections with distinct information, can feature multiple H1 tags without any issues—provided the content is structured logically and remains user-friendly.
HTML5 Standards Support Multiple H1 Tags
With the introduction of HTML5, the rules for heading hierarchy became more flexible. The new standard allows multiple H1 tags on a single page, particularly when the page structure includes distinct “sections” or “articles.”
For example, on an e-commerce site:
- One H1 tag could be at the top, highlighting the main product category.
- Another H1 tag could denote the name of individual products.
- Yet another H1 tag could introduce related articles or reviews.
This approach does not harm SEO; instead, it helps present structured content more effectively.
Content Relevance Outweighs the Number of Tags
Search engine algorithms prioritize the relevance of content to user queries rather than the technical details like the number of heading tags. What’s more important than the number of H1 tags is that they provide a logical structure for the page.
Using multiple H1 elements can even enhance user experience, particularly on longer pages where distinct sections need clear headings. A well-optimized page with multiple H1 tags and high-quality content can rank higher than one that sticks to a single H1 but offers poor content.
Real-World Examples: High-Ranking Pages with Multiple H1 Tags
Many successful websites—blogs, news portals, and e-commerce platforms—use multiple H1 tags while maintaining top rankings on search engine results pages. Experiments conducted by SEO experts show no correlation between having multiple H1 tags and lower rankings.
From a modern SEO perspective, the number of H1 tags on a page is irrelevant as long as the content is logically and relevantly structured. The key is to ensure that H1 tags (even if there are several):
- Support the page’s content structure.
- Enhance user experience.
- Naturally integrate keywords.
Google’s primary goal is to deliver the best possible results for users, and this depends far more on the quality of content than the number of H1 tags. Web developers and content creators shouldn’t worry about using multiple H1 tags on a page—instead, they should focus on creating high-quality, relevant content.
Let’s not cling to outdated myths! Use H1 tags flexibly and logically, always keeping your visitors’ needs in mind.
A business leader once said, “My best decisions have always been based on the most up-to-date information.”
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