On-Page SEO
Heading tag
A heading tag is an HTML H1 through H6 element used to identify the heading of a document section.
What it means
Heading elements carry rank and structural meaning that browsers and assistive technologies can expose. Their default appearance can be changed with CSS without changing the element's semantic role.
Why it matters
Using real heading elements makes section labels programmatically recognizable and supports navigation. A styled paragraph that looks like a heading does not automatically provide the same semantics.
Example
A card grid uses H2 for the section title and H3 for each card title, while CSS preserves the design. Decorative promotional text remains a paragraph rather than an empty structural heading.
Common mistakes
Do not select heading tags for font size, wrap entire paragraphs in headings or leave empty headings for spacing. Avoid using ARIA heading roles when native H1–H6 elements work.
How AYSA handles this
Signals reviewed
H1-H6 elements, style-only labels, empty headings, ARIA roles, component templates
Problem AYSA can identify
AYSA can detect visual section labels without semantics and heading elements used only for styling.
Recommendation prepared
The proposal replaces or reranks elements while preserving the approved visual presentation.
Approval preview
The user reviews semantic changes and screenshots before template updates.
Execution
AYSA can update supported blocks and theme components after approval.
Verification
AYSA validates HTML, heading navigation and visual regression across breakpoints.
Limits
AYSA cannot infer whether ambiguous promotional text begins a real section without editorial guidance.
Sources and further reading
- WHATWG HTML Standard — Headings and sections — Web standard
- W3C WAI — Headings and page structure — Accessibility guidance
- W3C WAI — Writing for web accessibility — Accessibility guidance
Written by Marius Dosinescu. Reviewed by AYSA SEO Editorial Team · 2026-07-28 00:00:00.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Should a heading tag be chosen to obtain a particular font size?
No. Choose the rank for semantic structure and use CSS to control its visual style.
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