Heading tags — H1 through H6 — are HTML elements that structure a web page's content hierarchically. They help search engines understand the organisation and topics covered on a page, while improving the reading experience for visitors and the accessibility of content.

What are heading tags H1-H6?

The `

` through `

` tags are semantic HTML elements that define a page's headings and subheadings. The H1 is the page's main heading — it should appear only once. H2s structure major sections, H3s cover subsections, and so on down to H6. This hierarchy helps Google identify primary and secondary topics on the page and better understand the structure of the content.

Impact of heading tags on SEO

Heading tags are a direct ranking signal for Google. The H1 in particular sends a strong signal about the page's primary topic — it must contain the target keyword. H2s and H3s, by incorporating semantic variants and secondary keywords, help Google gauge the depth and breadth of the content. A well-constructed heading hierarchy also improves the chances of being selected for featured snippets in SERPs.

Best practices for heading tags

• One H1 per page only, containing the page's primary keyword
• H2s structure major sections — include secondary keywords and semantic variants
• H3s detail the sub-themes within H2 sections — useful for feature lists and specs
• Maintain logical hierarchy: do not jump from H2 to H4 without an H3 in between
• Write descriptive, reader-friendly headings — not just for search engine bots
• Avoid keyword stuffing in headings — one clear, natural topic per heading

Accessibility and user experience

Heading tags play a crucial role in accessibility. Screen readers used by visually impaired users rely on the heading hierarchy to navigate content. A document properly structured with logical headings allows these users to quickly scan the page and jump directly to sections of interest. This is both an inclusion requirement and a positive quality signal for Google, which factors accessibility into its page quality assessments.

Heading tags in a PrestaShop e-commerce context

On an online store, proper use of heading tags is often overlooked in favour of visual design. Yet every page needs a clear structure. On a product page, the H1 must be the exact product name — it is the most direct match for transactional search queries. H2s can structure sections such as "Description", "Technical specifications", and "Customer reviews". On a category page, the H1 should match the category name, and H2s can describe sub-categories or main filter groups.