The Moz Q&A Forum

    • Forum
    • Questions
    • Users
    • Ask the Community

    Welcome to the Q&A Forum

    Browse the forum for helpful insights and fresh discussions about all things SEO.

    1. SEO and Digital Marketing Forum
    2. Categories
    3. SEO Tactics
    4. On-Page Optimization
    5. H2 tags always recommended? Or ok without?
    Moz Q&A is closed.

    After more than 13 years, and tens of thousands of questions, Moz Q&A closed on 12th December 2024. Whilst we’re not completely removing the content - many posts will still be possible to view - we have locked both new posts and new replies. More details here.

    H2 tags always recommended? Or ok without?

    On-Page Optimization
    html header h1 h2 h3
    5 5 1.6k
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as question
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • NRSmart
      NRSmart last edited by

      Is it ok to have no h2 tags? There are no "keywords" relevant to the product in these example h2 tags. Also, is it ok to not have a PRODUCT DESCRIPTION header, or is it better with that header? It's for a "product page".

      Examples:

      <h1>Used Bow Front Desk With Mahogany Laminate</h1>
      <h2 style="display:inline;">QTY:</h2> 3 - <h2 style="display:inline;">Manufacturer:</h2> Hon
      <h2>Product Description:</h2>
      <p>This bow front desk is in excellent condition.  It has a beautiful mahogany laminate.</p>
      

      OR (no h2 tags or product description header at all)

      <h1>Used Bow Front Desk With Mahogany Laminate</h1>
      <p>QTY: 3 - Manufacturer: Hon</p>
      <p>This bow front desk is in excellent condition.  It has a beautiful mahogany laminate.</p>
      

      I prefer the last one as it's much simpler, but I'm curious if search engines would prefer the existence of h2 tags in the first version.

      Thanks,
      Todd

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • skchad13j
        skchad13j last edited by

        @NRSmart said in H2 tags always recommended? Or ok without?:

        Is it ok to have no h2 tags? There are no "keywords" relevant to the product in these example h2 tags. Also, is it ok to not have a PRODUCT DESCRIPTION header, or is it better with that header? It's for a "product page".
        Examples:
        <h1>Used Bow Front Desk With Mahogany Laminate</h1>
        <h2 style="display:inline;">QTY:</h2> 3 - <h2 style="display:inline;">Manufacturer:</h2> Hon
        <h2>Product Description:</h2>
        <p>This bow front desk is in excellent condition. It has a beautiful mahogany laminate.</p>

        OR (no h2 tags or product description header at all)
        <h1>Used Bow Front Desk With Mahogany Laminate</h1>
        <p>QTY: 3 - Manufacturer: Hon</p>
        <p>This bow front desk is in excellent condition. It has a beautiful mahogany laminate.</p>

        I prefer the last one as it's much simpler, but I'm curious if search engines would prefer the existence of h2 tags in the first version.
        Thanks,
        Todd

        In terms of SEO and HTML structure, it's generally recommended to use H2 tags for better organization and accessibility. However, it's not always mandatory, and the choice can depend on the specific context and design of your webpage.
        (Study abroad)
        The first example uses H2 tags to structure the content, which can help search engines understand the hierarchy of information on the page. It can be beneficial for SEO, especially if the content is more extensive.
        (Canada PR)
        The second example, without H2 tags, is simpler and can still be acceptable. It's more about user experience and design preference. If your product page is short and straightforward, and you find the design cleaner without H2 tags, it should be okay.
        (PMP Exam Prep)
        In summary, both approaches can work, but the use of H2 tags is generally recommended for SEO and content organization. However, it's not a strict rule, and the choice can depend on your specific needs and design preferences.
        ( 2 Year Post Graduate Diploma Canada)

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Adam_Williams
          Adam_Williams last edited by

          It defines the second-level headings on your page. Like a H1 tag, a H2 tag also appears larger than the rest of your main body text. However, H2 tags are always slightly smaller than your H1 tag, so that it does not compete with your main heading. Keep in mind that heading tags don't stop at H2. This strategy makes it simpler for web crawlers to properly index the content for the most important search questions, which likewise makes it almost certain for the webpage to rank higher for those keywords in the web search results pages (SERPs). For more understanding, read the full blog here: https://www.inbound.blog/on-page-optimization/

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • ehishab
            ehishab last edited by

            H2 tags are not always recommended, but they serve a specific purpose in structuring the content of a web page. In HTML, H2 tags represent second-level headings, which are typically used to organize content hierarchically under an H1 (first-level heading).

            Whether or not to use H2 tags depends on the structure and content of your webpage. Here are some guidelines:

            Hierarchy and Structure: If your content has a clear hierarchy with sections or subsections, it's a good practice to use H2 tags to denote those subsections under the main headings (H1 tags). This helps search engines and users understand the organization of your content.

            Accessibility: Properly structured HTML, including the use of H2 tags, can improve the accessibility of your website for users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies. It ensures that the content is presented in a logical and understandable order.

            SEO: Search engines use heading tags to understand the content and hierarchy of your page. Using H2 tags appropriately can positively impact your SEO by helping search engines better index and rank your content.

            Readability: Breaking content into sections with clear headings (H2 tags) makes it more readable and scannable for users. It helps them quickly find the information they're looking for.

            Consistency: Maintaining consistency in your HTML structure, including the use of H2 tags, makes your code cleaner and easier to maintain.

            However, there may be cases where using H2 tags is not necessary. For very simple web pages with minimal content or if your content doesn't naturally lend itself to hierarchical structuring, you might not need H2 tags. In such cases, you can use other formatting techniques to make your content clear and readable.

            In summary, while H2 tags are not an absolute requirement for every web page, they are a valuable tool for organizing and structuring content, improving accessibility, and enhancing SEO. Their use should be determined by the specific needs and structure of your website.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • Suvidit-Academy
              Suvidit-Academy last edited by

              Yes, it is okay to have no h2 tags on a product page. H2 tags are not required for SEO, and they can actually be harmful if they are not used correctly. For example, if you use h2 tags for keywords that are not relevant to the product, you could actually hurt your ranking in search results.

              In your example, the h2 tags "QTY:", "Manufacturer:", and "Product Description:" are not relevant to the product itself. They are more like metadata that helps to provide information about the product. This information is still important, but it does not need to be marked up with h2 tags.

              The last version of your example is the simplest and most effective. It uses h1 tags for the main heading and p tags for the rest of the content. This is a clear and concise way to structure your product page, and it will not hurt your SEO.

              If you do decide to use h2 tags on your product pages, make sure that you use them correctly. Only use h2 tags for headings that are relevant to the product itself. And avoid using h2 tags for keywords that are not relevant to the product.

              Here are some additional tips for using h2 tags on product pages:

              • Use h2 tags to break up your content into logical sections.
              • Use h2 tags for the main features of your product.
              • Avoid using h2 tags for keywords that are not relevant to the product.

              You can use h2 tags to improve the structure and readability of your product pages without hurting your SEO.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • 1 / 1
              • First post
                Last post

              Got a burning SEO question?

              Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.


              Start my free trial


              Explore more categories

              • Moz Tools

                Chat with the community about the Moz tools.

                Getting Started
                Moz Pro
                Moz Local
                Moz Bar
                API
                What's New

              • SEO Tactics

                Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers

                Content Development
                Competitive Research
                Keyword Research
                Link Building
                On-Page Optimization
                Technical SEO
                Reporting & Analytics
                Intermediate & Advanced SEO
                Image & Video Optimization
                International SEO
                Local SEO

              • Community

                Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!

                Moz Blog
                Moz News
                Industry News
                Jobs and Opportunities
                SEO Learn Center
                Whiteboard Friday

              • Digital Marketing

                Chat about tactics outside of SEO

                Affiliate Marketing
                Branding
                Conversion Rate Optimization
                Web Design
                Paid Search Marketing
                Social Media

              • Research & Trends

                Dive into research and trends in the search industry.

                SERP Trends
                Search Behavior
                Algorithm Updates
                White Hat / Black Hat SEO
                Other SEO Tools

              • Support

                Connect on product support and feature requests.

                Product Support
                Feature Requests
                Participate in User Research

              • See all categories

              • Hey guys! I was looking at adding the H1 tag lower on the page than the H2 tag because I want the top bit to be a call to action. Is this proper practice?
                Web3Marketing87
                Web3Marketing87
                0
                3
                910

              • Does Title Tag have to be in the HEAD tag?
                moziodavid
                moziodavid
                0
                3
                1.7k

              • Is is ok to have multiple H2 or H3s?
                Ideas-Money-Art
                Ideas-Money-Art
                7
                7
                46.9k

              • Is it ok to use the H1 tag for bullet points?
                mevseo
                mevseo
                0
                5
                3.2k

              Get started with Moz Pro!

              Unlock the power of advanced SEO tools and data-driven insights.

              Start my free trial
              Products
              • Moz Pro
              • Moz Local
              • Moz API
              • Moz Data
              • STAT
              • Product Updates
              Moz Solutions
              • SMB Solutions
              • Agency Solutions
              • Enterprise Solutions
              • Digital Marketers
              Free SEO Tools
              • Domain Authority Checker
              • Link Explorer
              • Keyword Explorer
              • Competitive Research
              • Brand Authority Checker
              • Local Citation Checker
              • MozBar Extension
              • MozCast
              Resources
              • Blog
              • SEO Learning Center
              • Help Hub
              • Beginner's Guide to SEO
              • How-to Guides
              • Moz Academy
              • API Docs
              About Moz
              • About
              • Team
              • Careers
              • Contact
              Why Moz
              • Case Studies
              • Testimonials
              Get Involved
              • Become an Affiliate
              • MozCon
              • Webinars
              • Practical Marketer Series
              • MozPod
              Connect with us

              Contact the Help team

              Join our newsletter
              Moz logo
              © 2021 - 2026 SEOMoz, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All rights reserved. Moz is a registered trademark of SEOMoz, Inc.
              • Accessibility
              • Terms of Use
              • Privacy

              Looks like your connection to Moz was lost, please wait while we try to reconnect.