What are Headings?

Headings provide structure and hierarchy to your content, making it easier to read and navigate. Proper heading use improves both accessibility and SEO, ensuring that assistive technologies and search engines can understand the relationships between sections.

To maintain a logical flow, headings should follow a step-by-step order, similar to a book outline. Skipping levels can confuse users and accessibility tools.

If you’re unsure which heading to use, ask yourself: “Does this section introduce a new topic, or is it a subtopic of the previous section?”

Key Rules for Proper Heading Use:

  • ❌ Headings cannot be empty: Empty headings confuse screen readers and should be avoided.
  • ✅ Each page should have only one H1 heading: This should be the first element at the top of the page and serve as the main title.
  • ✅ Use H2 for new sections: Any major topic or section should start with an H2 heading.
  • ✅ Use subheadings in order: Subtopics under an H2 should follow a sequential structure (H2 → H3 → H4 → H5).
  • ❌ Avoid skipping levels downward: Going from H2 directly to H4 without an H3 can break the content flow.
  • ✅ Jumping back up is acceptable: If starting a new major section, it’s fine to return to H2 from a lower heading level.
  • ❌ Headings are not for decoration: Headings should be used for proper content structure, which helps users and screen readers properly navigate the content.