The Most Common SEO Mistake That Could Be Costing You: Are You Missing Proper H1 Tag Usage?
If you’ve hired an SEO agency to improve your website's search engine ranking, you’re likely expecting results—after all, SEO is meant to bring you more traffic and higher visibility, right? But what if you’re not seeing the results you were promised? You may be missing out on some fundamental elements of SEO that are crucial for ranking success. One of the most common mistakes SEO agencies make is not using H1 tags correctly—or at all.
In this blog, I’ll break down why H1 tags are so important for SEO and why, if your agency isn’t getting them right, your website’s performance could be suffering. If you're paying someone to optimize your site, make sure they’re not overlooking this crucial step!
What Are H1 Tags and Why Do They Matter?
An H1 tag is an HTML tag used to define the main heading of a webpage. It’s essentially the title of the page, and search engines like Google use it to understand what the page is about. Think of it as your content's “big idea.” If your H1 tag is correctly optimized, it helps search engines know how to categorize your page and what keywords are important for ranking.
Here's the thing: Google and other search engines pay a lot of attention to headings because they help structure your content. They show what the most important sections of your page are, making it easier for both search engines and users to navigate.
Common H1 Tag Mistakes SEO Agencies Make
Using Multiple H1 Tags Per Page
One of the most common mistakes made by SEO agencies is using more than one H1 tag on a single page. Google wants only one H1 per page, and it should be placed at the top of the page (or at least very close to the top). Using multiple H1 tags dilutes the significance of the content and confuses search engines about what your page is truly about.
Placing the H1 Tag in the Wrong Location
Another common mistake is placing the H1 tag somewhere deep within the content, often after paragraphs of text or images. The H1 tag should always be the first HTML element on the page, right at the top. Google treats this as a signal to understand the primary topic of the page. If it’s buried too far down, it can negatively impact your rankings.
Skipping the H1 Tag Entirely
Believe it or not, some SEO agencies neglect to use an H1 tag at all. This is a huge oversight, as it leaves search engines without the clear signal they need to understand your page's main topic. If your H1 is missing, search engines will have a harder time indexing your content, which can lead to poor search rankings.
Overstuffing the H1 Tag with Keywords
While it’s important to include relevant keywords in your H1 tag, you should avoid keyword stuffing. Your H1 should make sense to human readers and clearly describe the content of the page, not just be a list of keywords you’re trying to rank for. A well-crafted H1 tag will help both search engines and your audience understand the content.
What Does Proper H1 Tag Usage Look Like?
To make sure your SEO is on track, here’s a quick checklist for correct H1 tag usage:
- One H1 per page: The main heading of your page should be contained in a single H1 tag.
- Place it at the top: The H1 tag should appear at or near the top of your page content. Google wants to see it first.
- Include relevant keywords: While you don’t want to keyword-stuff, include primary keywords that clearly explain the topic of your page.
- Use it for the main topic: The H1 should describe the page’s overall topic. Secondary headings (H2, H3, etc.) can be used for subsections and more specific topics.
The Impact of Missing or Incorrect H1 Tags on SEO
If your SEO agency is making any of the mistakes above, it could have a significant impact on your website’s performance. Not using proper H1 tags (or not using them at all) can lead to:
- Lower rankings: Google uses the H1 tag to understand the primary content of a page. If it’s missing or used incorrectly, Google might have difficulty ranking your page for the right keywords.
- Poor user experience: If your H1 tag isn’t clear or relevant to your content, users may not know what the page is about, leading to higher bounce rates and lower engagement.
- Missed opportunities: With a properly optimized H1, you’ll increase your chances of ranking for valuable keywords, which ultimately brings more targeted traffic to your site.
How to Fix Your H1 Tag Issue
If you think your SEO agency isn’t optimizing your H1 tags correctly, it’s time to take action. Here’s how you can fix it:
- Audit your pages: Go through the pages on your website and check if they have a proper H1 tag. You can do this by viewing the page source or using SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog.
- Check the placement: Ensure that the H1 tag is at the top of your content and not buried under other HTML elements or images.
- Simplify and optimize: Make sure the H1 tag clearly describes the page’s content and includes important keywords without stuffing. Keep it concise but informative.
- Fix duplicate H1 tags: If your pages have more than one H1 tag, pick the most important one and remove the others. Ensure each page only has one H1 tag.
Conclusion
Proper H1 tag usage is one of the most fundamental aspects of on-page SEO, yet it's a mistake that many SEO agencies overlook. If you’re paying for SEO services, it’s crucial that your agency is getting this right. The impact of a missing or improperly placed H1 tag can be significant, affecting both your rankings and user experience.
If you’re not sure whether your H1 tags are optimized, or if you suspect your agency isn’t handling them correctly, watch my video explaining how to fix this common SEO mistake. Don’t let poor SEO practices hold back your site’s potential—ensure your H1 tags are set up properly to improve your search engine visibility and drive more organic traffic to your website.
Watch the video here to learn more