Why the hierarchy matters
Headings are the table of contents of a page. Screen reader users jump between them, and search engines use them to understand how the content is organized. Going from an H2 straight to an H4 breaks that outline; so do headings used only to make text big.
What is checked
- Counts of H1 to H6.
- Level skips, like h2 → h4.
- Empty headings (often icon fonts or images without alt text).
- Heading texts used more than once on the page.
Frequently asked questions
Do heading levels affect rankings?
Not as a direct score. A clear structure helps search engines understand sections and sometimes helps them pick passages to show, and it makes the page more accessible.
Can I use headings for styling?
Use CSS for looks. Headings should mark real sections of content.