Headings (H1, H2, and H3) affect SEO by helping Google understand your page topic and structure while also making the page easier for visitors to scan and act on.
Think of headings as the outline of your page: H1 is the page’s main topic, H2 breaks that topic into major sections, and H3 supports those sections with smaller subpoints. When your outline matches what people actually want when they search, your content reads clearer, and Google has an easier time matching your page to the query. We see this matter most on service pages for Orlando businesses where visitors decide fast, like dentists, law firms, and home services. If you want help building pages that rank and convert, our SEO services cover heading structure as part of on-page work.
| Heading | What it should do | Best practice that helps SEO | Common mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | State the single main topic of the page | Use one clear, human headline that matches the page intent (often your primary keyword in plain language) | Stuffing keywords or repeating the same H1 sitewide |
| H2 | Organize the big sections under the H1 | Write descriptive section titles that answer the next questions a buyer has | Using H2s for design only (or making every H2 identical) |
| H3 | Create sub-sections inside an H2 | Use for steps, requirements, FAQs, or details that support the H2 topic | Skipping levels (jumping from H1 to H3) or nesting randomly |
A common worry is “Do I need exactly one H1?” Google can rank pages with multiple H1s, but in practice we still aim for one main H1 because it keeps the page clean for humans and for accessibility tools like screen readers. After that, let your H2s and H3s do the organizing work. This is especially helpful when your page targets local-intent searches, like “emergency dentist in Orlando” or “pest control in Winter Park,” where visitors skim for proof, pricing signals, service area, and next steps.
Headings also work best when they support your other on-page signals, not replace them. Your title tag still shapes what shows in search, and it should pair cleanly with your H1 instead of fighting it. If you want to line those pieces up, read our FAQ on how title tags affect SEO.
Our quick rules when we format headings on money pages: keep them specific, keep the hierarchy logical, and write them for skimmers. Good H2s often mirror the questions your front desk or intake team hears every week (insurance, timelines, service area, what happens next). If your page already has strong content but it still feels hard to scan, headings are usually the fastest fix, and it ties directly into what makes a page readable and rankable, which we cover in what makes a webpage SEO-friendly.
- Use headings for structure, not font size.
- Keep one main H1 topic per page, then build sections with H2 and H3.
- Write headings that preview the answer, not vague labels like “Overview.”
- Avoid stuffing cities or service lists into headings, especially in Florida markets where competition is high.
If you share the page type you’re working on (service page, location page, or blog post), we can tell you exactly what your H1 and first set of H2s should be to match search intent and help visitors book.
