Title Rewrite: Google’s John Mueller on Reddit: The Minimal Impact of Heading Order on SEO
John Mueller from Google responded to a query on Reddit concerning heading elements, acknowledging a minor impact while downplaying its overall importance. His response sheds light on Google’s approach to headings.
### Hierarchical Heading Structure
In terms of heading elements like H1, H2, etc., “hierarchical” refers to the organization of headings by importance or structure. This “importance” pertains to the structure of a web page rather than a ranking factor. Typically, a webpage might have a single H1 to represent the main topic and multiple H2s for section topics. Google’s systems can interpret the first heading as either H1 or H2, as the exact order isn’t imperative.
Heading element specifications are detailed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the body that defines the usage of HTML elements. Google generally adheres to these specifications but is not overly strict, as many websites utilize headings primarily for style.
### Are Incorrectly Ordered Headings Harmful To SEO?
A Reddit user inquired if using headings out of sequence was detrimental and to what extent. They wanted clarity on how significant the issue was if headings appeared out of order or if a level was skipped.
#### Question:
“Is it harmful to have non-sequential header tags, such as having an h4 before an h1, or having an h4 and h3 but missing an h2?”
### H1, H2 Headings Have A Slight Impact
Mueller stated there is a slight impact regarding heading order, though he did not clarify how this specifically affects SEO. Theoretically, correct heading order might facilitate search engines in understanding page content better.
#### Mueller’s Response:
“Using the proper order for headings is good practice, aiding search engines slightly in content comprehension and benefiting accessibility. When setting up a new site or making significant changes, spending a few minutes on this aspect can be worthwhile.”
Sometimes, headings are controlled by templates, such as those for styling sections of a webpage. On platforms like WordPress, this might involve creating a child template to amend these styles. However, the structure of headings remains within the publisher’s or SEO’s control. Furthermore, keywords in headings alone might be insufficient since their purpose is to convey what a webpage section is about, and headings also play a role in accessibility.
### Google Says Fixing Headings Won’t Change Rankings
Some SEOs might be puzzled by Google’s statement that fixing heading structure doesn’t improve rankings. In earlier times, headings were crucial for Google rankings, a trend that had diminished by 2005. Despite this, the misconception persists that headings are a major ranking factor. Mueller’s remarks confirm the evolution of heading elements’ role.
#### Mueller Continued:
“For existing sites, correcting heading order won’t change rankings. More SEO value might be gained by enhancing site quality overall.”
He emphasizes the difference between creating pages for search engines versus users, advising focusing on user-centric and informative content.
His statements hint at Google’s current use of heading elements and offer prudent advice.
