What does 'Multiple H1 tags detected' mean in Site Audit?

1. What Causes This Issue

The issue of multiple H1 tags on a webpage typically arises from:

• Template Design Mistakes: Sometimes, web templates or CMS themes are designed with multiple H1 tags, either due to oversight or misunderstanding of SEO best practices.
• Content Management Errors: Content creators or editors might inadvertently use H1 tags for styling purposes, thinking of them as just another way to make text bold or larger.
• Automated Content Generators: Tools that automatically generate content may not be configured properly, leading to incorrect tag hierarchy.
• Lack of SEO Knowledge: Developers or content creators might not be aware of the importance of proper HTML structure and use multiple H1 tags without realizing the implications.

2. Why It's Important

• Content Hierarchy: H1 tags are meant to denote the primary heading of a page, establishing a clear hierarchy. Multiple H1 tags can obscure this structure, making it difficult for search engines to understand the main topic of the page.
• SEO Impact: Search engines may have difficulty determining the focus of the page, potentially leading to poorer rankings as the content relevance becomes unclear.
• User Experience: Users rely on heading tags to navigate content easily. Multiple main headings can confuse readers and lead to a poor user experience.
• Accessibility: Screen readers and other assistive technologies use heading tags to navigate content. Multiple H1 tags can disrupt this navigation, making the content less accessible.

3. Best Practices to Prevent It

• Use One H1 Tag Per Page: Always ensure that only one H1 tag is used per page to highlight the primary topic or heading.
• Understand the Purpose: Educate content creators and developers about the semantic importance of heading tags and their role in SEO.
• Check Templates: Review and audit website templates or CMS themes to ensure they adhere to proper HTML structure with a single H1 tag.
• Utilize Heading Hierarchy: Use a structured approach with H1 for the main title and H2, H3, etc., for subheadings to create a clear content hierarchy.
• Regular Audits: Implement regular SEO audits to catch any instances of multiple H1 tags and correct them promptly.

4. Examples of Good and Bad Cases

Bad Case:

<h1>About Our Company</h1>
<p>Learn about our history and values.</p>
<h1>Our Services</h1>
<p>We offer a wide range of services.</p>
<h1>Contact Us</h1>
<p>Get in touch with us today.</p>

In this bad example, multiple H1 tags are used for different sections of the page, causing confusion in the content hierarchy.

Good Case:

<h1>About Our Company</h1>
<p>Learn about our history and values.</p>
<h2>Our Services</h2>
<p>We offer a wide range of services.</p>
<h2>Contact Us</h2>
<p>Get in touch with us today.</p>

In this good example, there is only one H1 tag that introduces the main topic of the page. Subsections are appropriately marked with H2 tags, maintaining a clear and logical hierarchy for both users and search engines.