H2-H6 Hierarchy

The H2-H6 hierarchy is a fundamental component of on-page SEO optimization and crucial for structuring web content. A correct heading hierarchy improves not only user experience but also search engine rankings.

What is the H2-H6 Hierarchy?

The H2-H6 hierarchy describes the logical structuring of headings on a web page. While H1 represents the main heading of a page, H2 to H6 form a hierarchical outline of the content.

Basic Principles of Hierarchy

Logical Order: Headings must be used in the correct sequence
Semantic Meaning: Each heading level has a specific function
Content Structure: The hierarchy reflects the content organization
SEO Relevance: Search engines use the hierarchy for content evaluation

H2 Headings: Main Chapters

H2 headings mark the main chapters of an article or page. They are the most important subheadings after H1.

H2 Best Practices

Keyword Integration: Place primary keywords in H2 headings
Meaningful Formulation: Use clear, descriptive headings
Consistent Structure: Uniform formulation within an article
User-Friendliness: Headings should preview the content

H2 Examples

H1: SEO Optimization for E-Commerce
H2: Keyword Research for Product Pages
H2: On-Page SEO for Category Pages
H2: Technical SEO Aspects

H3 Headings: Subchapters

H3 headings break down H2 areas into more specific topics.

H3 Structuring

Detailization: Specific aspects of H2 topics
Keyword Variations: Use secondary keywords
Logical Grouping: Combine related content
Scannability: Structure content for quick comprehension

H3 Examples

H2: Keyword Research for Product Pages
H3: Identify Long-Tail Keywords
H3: Conduct Competitor Analysis
H3: Evaluate Search Volume

H4-H6: Detailed Structure

H4 to H6 serve for further detailization and should be used sparingly.

H4 Headings

Specific Subtopics: Detailed aspects of H3 areas
Practical Applications: Concrete implementation steps
Examples and Case Studies: Illustrative content

H5-H6 Headings

Very Specific Details: Finest level of structure
Rare Usage: Only for very extensive content
Technical Details: Specific implementation instructions

Common Hierarchy Errors

1. Skipped Levels

Error: H1 → H3 (H2 is skipped)

<h1>Main Heading</h1>
<h3>Subheading</h3> <!-- Error: H2 missing -->

Correct: H1 → H2 → H3

<h1>Main Heading</h1>
<h2>Chapter Heading</h2>
<h3>Subheading</h3>

2. Wrong Order

Error: H3 before H2

<h1>Main Heading</h1>
<h3>Subheading</h3>
<h2>Chapter Heading</h2> <!-- Error: H3 before H2 -->

3. Excessive Nesting

Problem: Too many hierarchy levels

Makes navigation difficult
Reduces scannability
Confuses search engines

SEO Optimization of Hierarchy

Keyword Strategy

Hierarchy Level

Keyword Focus

Optimization

H1

Primary Keyword

Once, prominent

H2

Primary + secondary keywords

2-4 per page

H3

Secondary keywords

Variations and LSI

H4-H6

Long-tail keywords

Specific phrases

Content Structuring

Content Planning: Define structure before content creation
Keyword Mapping: Assign keywords to hierarchy levels
Logical Organization: Build topics logically
Consistency: Maintain uniform structure

Technical Implementation

HTML Structure

<article>
  <h1>Main Heading</h1>
  
  <section>
    <h2>First Main Chapter</h2>
    <h3>Subchapter 1.1</h3>
    <h4>Detail 1.1.1</h4>
    
    <h3>Subchapter 1.2</h3>
    <h4>Detail 1.2.1</h4>
  </section>
  
  <section>
    <h2>Second Main Chapter</h2>
    <h3>Subchapter 2.1</h3>
  </section>
</article>

CSS Styling

Visual Hierarchy: Size differences between levels
Consistent Spacing: Uniform margins and paddings
Responsive Design: Adaptation to different screen sizes
Accessibility: Sufficient contrasts and readability

Tools for Hierarchy Analysis

1. Browser Developer Tools

Element Inspector: Analyze HTML structure
Accessibility Tree: Hierarchy from screen reader perspective
Lighthouse Audit: Automatic structure checking

2. SEO Tools

Screaming Frog: Crawling and structure analysis
Ahrefs Site Audit: Identify hierarchy problems
SEMrush Site Audit: Check technical SEO aspects

3. Accessibility Tools

WAVE: Web Accessibility Evaluation
axe DevTools: Automated accessibility tests
Screen Reader Tests: Manual verification

Best Practices Checklist

✅ Structure Checklist

☐ H1 used only once per page
☐ H2-H6 in logical order
☐ No skipped hierarchy levels
☐ Consistent heading formulation
☐ Keywords in relevant headings
☐ Semantically correct HTML tags
☐ Responsive design considered
☐ Accessibility standards met

✅ Content Checklist

☐ Headings describe content precisely
☐ Logical topic organization
☐ Sufficient detailization without overcomplexity
☐ User-friendly structure
☐ SEO-optimized keyword placement

Frequently Asked Questions about H2-H6 Hierarchy

How many H2 headings should a page have?

The number of H2 headings depends on the content. As a guideline:

Short articles (500-1000 words): 2-3 H2 headings
Medium articles (1000-3000 words): 3-5 H2 headings
Long articles (3000+ words): 5-8 H2 headings

Can I skip H4-H6?

Yes, H4-H6 can be skipped if the content doesn't require further detailization. It's important that the logical order is maintained.

How important are headings for SEO?

Headings are very important for SEO because they:

Define content structure for search engines
Place keywords prominently
Improve user experience
Favor featured snippets

Should headings contain questions?

Yes, especially H2 and H3 can be formulated as questions to:

Address search intents
Favor featured snippets
Improve user experience