What the checker reports
- Counts per level — how many H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 and H6 headings the page has.
- Structure checks — exactly one H1, at least one H2, no skipped levels (for example H2 followed directly by H4), no empty headings and no headings over 70 characters.
- The outline — every heading in page order, indented by level.
Why heading structure matters
Headings tell Google and AI assistants what each part of a page is about, and they let screen-reader users jump between sections. A clear outline — one H1 for the topic, H2s for main sections and H3s for sub-points — makes content easier to understand and to quote.
Best practices
- Use one H1 that matches the page topic and title.
- Write H2s as clear section names or questions people search for.
- Do not skip levels for visual size — style headings with CSS instead.
- Never use headings for logos, buttons or decorative text.
Frequently asked questions
Can a page have more than one H1?
HTML5 allows it and Google can handle it, but one H1 is clearer for users and screen readers, so it remains best practice.
Is skipping from H2 to H4 bad for SEO?
It will not cause a penalty, but it breaks the logical outline and is an accessibility problem. Go down one level at a time.
Does the checker see headings added by JavaScript?
It reads the HTML the server sends. Headings inserted later by JavaScript are not included.