How many H1 tags should a page have?

The HTML5 specification allows for multiple H1 tags, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the optimal approach for all websites.

While the specification permits multiple H1s, it’s crucial to consider the practical implications of this approach. Many SEO experts and accessibility specialists still advocate for a single H1 tag per page, citing concerns about clarity and user experience.

Single H1 tag best practices for SEO

Despite the HTML5 specification allowing multiple H1 tags, many SEO professionals continue to recommend using a single H1 tag per page. This approach is rooted in the traditional view of the H1 tag as the main heading that encapsulates the primary topic or purpose of the page.

Using a single H1 tag can provide clear signals to search engines about the main subject of your content. It helps create a hierarchical structure that is easy for both search engine crawlers and users to understand. This clarity can potentially contribute to better search engine rankings and improved user experience.

Google’s stance on multiple H1 tags

Google’s position on the use of multiple H1 tags has evolved over time. In recent years, Google representatives have stated that using multiple H1 tags won’t necessarily harm your SEO efforts. John Mueller, Google’s Senior Webmaster Trends Analyst, has mentioned that Google’s algorithms are sophisticated enough to understand page structure even with multiple H1 tags.

However, Mueller also emphasised that while Google can handle multiple H1s, it’s not necessarily the best practice from a usability standpoint. He suggested that webmasters should focus on creating a clear hierarchy that makes sense for users rather than worrying excessively about the number of H1 tags.

Yoast SEO plugin recommendations

The popular Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress has long advocated for the use of a single H1 tag per page. Their recommendation is based on the principle that the H1 tag should represent the main topic of the page, much like a book title represents the content of the entire book.

Yoast’s guidelines suggest using the H1 tag for the main title of the page and then using H2-H6 tags to create a logical hierarchy for the rest of the content. This approach aligns with traditional SEO best practices and can help create a clear content structure for both users and search engines.

Screaming frog crawler H1 analysis

Screaming Frog, a popular SEO spider tool, includes H1 tag analysis as part of its crawl report. The tool flags pages with missing H1 tags or multiple H1 tags, indicating that these issues could potentially impact SEO performance.

While Screaming Frog’s flagging of multiple H1 tags doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a critical SEO issue, it does highlight the ongoing debate in the SEO community about best practices for heading structure. Many SEO professionals use these reports to identify potential areas for optimisation in their site structure.

Accessibility implications of H1 tag quantity

The number of H1 tags on a page can have significant implications for web accessibility. For users relying on assistive technologies like screen readers, heading structure plays a crucial role in navigating and understanding web content.

WCAG 2.1 guidelines on heading structure

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 emphasise the importance of a logical heading structure. While WCAG doesn’t explicitly limit the number of H1 tags, it does stress the need for a clear and consistent heading hierarchy.

WCAG Success Criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) requires that information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined. This means that the heading structure should accurately reflect the content hierarchy, regardless of the number of H1 tags used.

Screen reader interpretation of multiple h1s

Screen readers typically use heading structure to provide an overview of the page content and allow users to navigate quickly between sections. When multiple H1 tags are present, it can potentially confuse screen reader users about the main topic of the page.

Some screen readers announce the level of each heading as they encounter it. Multiple H1 tags might lead to repeated announcements of « Heading Level 1, » which could be disorienting for users expecting a single main heading followed by subheadings.

ARIA landmark roles and H1 tags

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) landmark roles can be used in conjunction with heading tags to provide additional context for assistive technologies. The role="banner" attribute, for example, can be used to identify the main heading of a page, regardless of whether it’s marked up as an H1 tag.

While ARIA roles can help clarify page structure, they should be used as a complement to, not a replacement for, a clear and logical HTML heading structure. The principle of using semantic HTML elements like H1 for their intended purpose remains a best practice for accessibility.

Cms-specific H1 tag considerations

Different Content Management Systems (CMS) handle H1 tags in various ways, which can impact how easily developers and content creators can implement best practices for heading structure.

WordPress theme H1 implementation

In WordPress, the implementation of H1 tags often depends on the theme being used. Many WordPress themes automatically use the page or post title as the H1 tag. This approach generally aligns with the best practice of having a single, prominent H1 tag that accurately describes the main topic of the page.

However, some WordPress themes may include multiple H1 tags, particularly in areas like headers or widget areas. When customising a WordPress site, it’s important to review the theme’s heading structure and make adjustments if necessary to ensure a clear hierarchy.

Shopify liquid template H1 handling

Shopify’s Liquid templating language allows for flexible handling of H1 tags. By default, many Shopify themes use the product title or page title as the H1 tag. However, theme developers have the freedom to implement heading structures as they see fit.

When working with Shopify, it’s crucial to review how the chosen theme handles H1 tags across different page types (e.g., product pages, collection pages, blog posts) to ensure consistency and adherence to best practices.

Drupal’s twig templating and H1 tags

Drupal’s Twig templating system provides developers with fine-grained control over HTML output, including heading structures. Drupal themes can be configured to automatically generate H1 tags based on page titles or content types.

When developing or customising a Drupal site, it’s important to consider how H1 tags are implemented across different content types and views. Drupal’s flexibility allows for adherence to best practices, but it also requires careful attention to ensure consistency across the site.

Technical solutions for H1 tag management

For developers and technical SEO specialists, there are various approaches to managing H1 tags programmatically, ensuring consistency across large websites or complex web applications.

Javascript DOM manipulation for H1 control

JavaScript can be used to dynamically manage H1 tags through DOM manipulation. This approach can be particularly useful for single-page applications (SPAs) or sites with dynamically loaded content.

For example, JavaScript can be used to ensure that only one H1 tag is visible at a time, even if multiple H1 tags exist in the HTML structure. This can help maintain a clear visual hierarchy while still allowing for flexible content structure.

// Example JavaScript to ensure only one visible H1document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { const h1Elements = document.querySelectorAll('h1'); h1Elements.forEach((h1, index) => { if (index > 0) { h1.style.display = 'none'; } });});

CSS specificity and H1 styling hierarchy

CSS can be used to create a visual hierarchy that complements the semantic structure of H1 tags. By carefully managing CSS specificity, developers can ensure that H1 tags are consistently styled across a site, regardless of their position in the DOM.

For sites that use multiple H1 tags (e.g., in compliance with HTML5 sectioning), CSS can be used to style subsequent H1 tags differently from the main H1, helping to maintain a clear visual hierarchy.

/* Example CSS for styling multiple H1 tags */h1 { font-size: 2em; color: #333; }section h1 { font-size: 1.5em; color: #666; }

Server-side rendering H1 tag strategies

For server-side rendered websites, implementing consistent H1 tag strategies can be managed through templating systems or content management logic. This approach allows for centralised control over heading structures across an entire website.

Server-side logic can be used to ensure that each page has a single, appropriate H1 tag based on the page type, content, or other criteria. This can be particularly useful for large websites with diverse content types or for maintaining consistency across multiple authors or content creators.

In conclusion, while the HTML5 specification allows for multiple H1 tags, the decision on how many to use should be based on a careful consideration of SEO best practices, accessibility requirements, and the specific needs of your website and its users. Whether you opt for a single H1 tag or multiple H1s within semantic sections, the key is to maintain a clear and logical heading structure that enhances both user experience and search engine optimisation.