Free Heading Analyzer

Enter your page URL in the heading checker tool above and click "Check Headings." The tool extracts all heading tags from your page, analyzes their structure, and provides a detailed report showing any issues found along with specific recommendations for fixes.

An H1 tag is the primary heading element on a webpage. It represents the main topic of the page and should appear only once. The H1 is the most important heading for SEO because it signals to search engines what the page is fundamentally about. Think of it as the title of a book or article.

A page should have exactly one H1 tag. While HTML5 technically allows multiple H1s within different sectioning elements, SEO best practice recommends using a single H1 that clearly states the page's main topic. Additional important headings should use H2 tags.

Skipping heading levels (like going from H1 to H3 or H2 to H4) breaks the logical content hierarchy. Search engines may interpret this as missing content or poor organization. Screen readers announce heading levels to users, so skipping levels can also confuse visitors using assistive technology. Always maintain sequential order: H1, then H2, then H3.

This usually happens due to page template issues or when header widgets add headings before the main content area. Some themes place navigation or promotional sections with H2 tags before the main H1. Review your page template and ensure the H1 appears first in the HTML document order, before any other headings.

Yes, you can and should have multiple H2 headings on a page. H2s divide your content into major sections, and most pages benefit from having several well-organized sections. The key is that each H2 should appear after the H1 and should logically support the main topic.

The H1 is a visible heading displayed on the page itself. The title tag appears in browser tabs and search engine results but is not visible on the page content. While they often contain similar text, they serve different purposes. The title tag is for search results and browser identification; the H1 is for on-page content structure.

Yes, heading structure affects SEO by helping search engines understand your content organization and topic hierarchy. Google's own style guidelines emphasize using headings to structure content logically. While headings alone are not a major ranking factor, proper structure supports overall E-E-A-T signals and content relevance. Running your pages through an SEO heading checker before publishing is one of the simplest ways to catch structural problems early.

Start with your H1 and work down. Ensure you have exactly one H1 that states the main topic. Make sure H2s follow the H1 and cover major sections. Place H3s only within H2 sections for subsections. Never skip levels. A heading order checker can pinpoint exactly where your sequence breaks, making fixes straightforward. If your theme applies heading styles for visual reasons, use CSS to change appearance rather than using incorrect heading levels.

H1 carries the most SEO weight as it signals the primary page topic. H2 headings carry significant weight for section topics and secondary keywords. H3 headings have moderate weight, useful for supporting long-tail keyword coverage. H4, H5, and H6 carry minimal direct SEO weight but help with content organization. The combined effect of well-structured headings contributes more to SEO than any single heading level alone.

H2 and H3 headings work best for featured snippets when they pose or match common questions. Structure your H2 or H3 as the question itself, then provide a direct, concise answer in the paragraph immediately following. Google often pulls these question-and-answer pairs for featured snippets and AI overviews. Keep answers between 40 to 60 words for optimal snippet length.

No. Heading tags should reflect content hierarchy, not visual styling preferences. If you need larger or smaller text, use CSS to style the appropriate heading level rather than choosing a heading tag based on how it looks. Using H4 just because you want smaller text breaks the semantic structure that search engines and screen readers rely on.

Yes, this heading structure checker is 100% free with no signup required. You can check unlimited pages, download reports, and use all features without creating an account or providing any personal information. We built this tool to help website owners understand their content structure.

No. As AI becomes more integrated into search, proper heading structure becomes more important, not less. AI systems like Google's AI overviews rely on well-structured content to extract and present information accurately. Clear heading hierarchy helps AI understand topic relationships and increases the chances of your content being featured in AI-generated responses.

Check heading structure whenever you publish new content or make significant edits. Also review after theme updates, plugin changes, or website redesigns, as these can inadvertently affect heading output. For established pages, a quarterly audit using this heading analyzer helps catch any issues introduced by ongoing updates.

Including your city in key headings helps search engines connect your business with local searches. If you're a Calgary plumber, "Emergency Plumbing Services in Calgary" as your H1 tells both users and Google exactly what you offer and where. For businesses in competitive local markets, heading structure is just one piece of the puzzle. A Calgary SEO company can help optimize your entire site to capture more local traffic.