H1, H2, and H3 are heading tags in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). They are employed in the creation of headings and subheadings on a website.
H1 is the highest-level heading and is typically used for a web page’s main title or heading.
H2 is the second-level heading, which is commonly used for section titles.
The third-level heading is H3, which is used for sub-sections under the H2 heading.
These tags also have a semantic meaning for assistive technologies like screen readers and search engine crawlers, providing a clear structure of the content.
H1 Headings
The H1 heading, also known as the “header 1” or “title tag,” is one of the most important elements on a webpage for on-page SEO (search engine optimization). It is the main heading of a webpage, and search engines often use it as the title of the webpage in search results.
The H1 heading should be unique for each webpage and should accurately describe the content of the page. It should also include relevant keywords for the topic of the webpage, as this can help search engines understand the content of the page and improve its ranking in search results.
The H1 heading is also important for accessibility, it helps users with assistive technologies such as screen readers to navigate the page, understand the content and grasp the overall structure of the page.
It is generally recommended to use only one H1 heading per page, but additional H2 and H3 headings can be used to further structure the content and create a clear hierarchy of information.
H2 Headings
Like H1 headings, H2 headings (or “header 2” tags) are important for on-page SEO because they help structure the content of a webpage and signal to search engines what the page is about.
H2 headings are typically used as subheadings or section headings within a webpage. They provide a clear hierarchy of information and make it easier for both users and search engines to understand the content of the page.
Like H1, H2 headings should be descriptive and include relevant keywords. By using H2 headings to break up the content of a page into sections, you can signal to search engines the different topics that are covered on the page, which can help improve the page’s ranking for those topics.
Using H2 and H3 headings on your webpage creates a structured layout, it also makes it easier for users to scan the page and find the information they need quickly.
It’s worth noting that it’s not a strict rule to use only one H2 per page, but it is important to use them sparingly, and not too many, in order to maintain the structure and hierarchy of your content. Also, H2 headings should be meaningful and provide valuable information, not just repeating the keywords.
H3 Headings
H3 headings (or “header 3” tags) are similar to H1 and H2 headings in that they are used to structure the content of a webpage and signal to search engines what the page is about. However, they are typically used as subheadings within sections defined by H2 headings.
As with H1 and H2 headings, H3 headings should be descriptive and include relevant keywords to signal to search engines the topics covered in that section. They can be used to further break down the content into smaller, more specific sub-topics, making it easier for users and search engines to understand the content of the page.
It’s important to use H3 headings in a consistent and logical manner within your webpage, so it maintains the structure, hierarchy, and order of your content. Like H2 headings, it’s not a strict rule to use only one H3 per section or H2, but it’s important to use them sparingly, and not too many, in order to maintain the structure and hierarchy of your content. Also, H3 headings should be meaningful and provide valuable information, not just repeating the keywords.
As with H1 and H2 headings, H3 headings can be used to make the page more accessible by providing a clear hierarchy of content for users who may be using assistive technologies like screen readers to navigate your site.
In summary, H3 headings are one of the key elements of on-page SEO, and play an important role in structuring the content of a webpage, making it more accessible for users and search engines alike.