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H Tag Usage

 
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All Forums >> Web Development >> Search Engine Optimization and Web Business >> H Tag Usage
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jengoggtim

 

Posts: 119
Joined: 11/8/2005
From: New Jersey
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H Tag Usage - 3/24/2009 10:57:47   
I think I understand the use of H1 and H2 tags but I I'm a bit uncertain about H3 and H4 tags. I've used H3 tags for product names and H4 tags for relevant keyword sidebar titles on product pages. But, on non-product pages I just use H1, H2 and H4 tags. Is it okay to skip the H3 tags or should H3 tags be implemented if H4 tags are used? Thanks.

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jaybee

 

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From: Berkshire, UK
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RE: H Tag Usage - 3/25/2009 7:14:16   
No, the whole point of the Heading tags is that they're used in order and for headings. It's all about semantics and people using screen readers will often use them to move around your page. They need to be used in the right order and be properly nested.

If they don't look right as they default to certain sizes and weights, you can change that using CSS but they do need to be used correctly.

H1
....H2
........H3
........H3
............H4
....H2
........H3
....H2
........H3
............H4

and only one H1 per page.

If you are using these for products in order to make the titles stand out then you need to use CSS to change the formatting of the products.

On my site for example:

H1 = JBVisions
H2 = Creative web design
H3 = What we do
H4 = Design
H4 = Domain registration and Hosting
H4 = Maintenance Packages
H4 = Search Engine Optimisation
H4 = Modifications to existing sites
H4 = Consultation

You appear to be using the headings to try and give each product more prominence to Google. I don't think that's going to happen. Google does work with headings but I suspect that if everything on your page is a heading Google will just ignore it or at worst case treat it as close to spamming.

< Message edited by jaybee -- 3/25/2009 7:29:43 >


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(in reply to jengoggtim)
jengoggtim

 

Posts: 119
Joined: 11/8/2005
From: New Jersey
Status: offline

 
RE: H Tag Usage - 3/27/2009 9:05:39   
How is sidebar content handled? I have mostly H4's, a few H5's and plain text titles.

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jaybee

 

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RE: H Tag Usage - 3/27/2009 20:55:06   
Menus are set up as lists.

<ul>
<li>item1</li>
<li>item2</li>
<li>item3</li>
<li>item4</li>
<li>item5</li>
</ul>

If it's not menu-like, then you use headings with content within them in the sidebar but again properly nested. You can only work out the nesting by looking in the code, not at the page. The code flows in a certain way that can be made to look different by CSS. Screen Readers and Google et al read the code.

Using my info posted before

H1 = JBVisions
....H2 = Creative web design
........H3 = What we do
............H4 = Design
............H4 = Domain registration and Hosting
............H4 = Maintenance Packages
............H4 = Search Engine Optimisation
............H4 = Modifications to existing sites
............H4 = Consultation
........H3 = Sidebar Heading
............H4 = Sidebar item 1
............H4 = Sidebar item 2
............H4 = Sidebar item 3
............H4 = Sidebar item 4


< Message edited by jaybee -- 3/27/2009 21:01:36 >


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If it ain't broke..... fix it until it is.
:)

:)
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Now where did I put that Doctype?

(in reply to jengoggtim)
jengoggtim

 

Posts: 119
Joined: 11/8/2005
From: New Jersey
Status: offline

 
RE: H Tag Usage - 3/28/2009 10:21:57   
What would you do with sidebar title that isn't keyword specific to a particular page and is repeated on many pages? I have marketing- focused content on many pages that is more for the purpose of convincing potential customers to buy rather than focusing on page specific content. For example, on some pages I have the sidebar title:

    Store Features
  • Over 875 Styles
  • Extended Sizes
  • Color Swatches
  • PMS Color Information
  • Green Styles


My concern is if a H tag is given to content that isn't keyword specific might Google be confused about what the page is really about especially if this content is repeated on different pages? Currently "Store Features" has the <p> tag and is styled with CSS to look like a title.

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Tailslide

 

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From: Out here on the raggedy edge
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RE: H Tag Usage - 3/28/2009 11:00:22   
In the end you have to go with what is semantically correct - if it's a heading , use a heading tag - no matter if it's repeated on several pages.

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jengoggtim

 

Posts: 119
Joined: 11/8/2005
From: New Jersey
Status: offline

 
RE: H Tag Usage - 3/28/2009 15:03:07   
What about sidebar navigation titles? If sidebar navigation is subdivided into catogories such as "Popular Styles", "Resources" and "Company Information" do these titles receive H tags? For example:

<h4>Popular Styles</h4>
<ul>
<li>item1</li>
<li>item2</li>
</ul>
<h4>Resources</h4>
<ul>
<li>item1</li>
<li>item2</li>
</ul>
<h4>Company Information</h4>
<ul>
<li>item1</li>
<li>item2</li>
</ul>

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Tailslide

 

Posts: 6691
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From: Out here on the raggedy edge
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RE: H Tag Usage - 3/28/2009 15:29:46   
Ah but those wouldn't be headings - they're a list aren't they? So I guess you'd just have lists with sub-lists within and you can style the top level list however you like.

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Tailslide

 

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From: Out here on the raggedy edge
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RE: H Tag Usage - 4/15/2009 14:38:42   

quote:

ORIGINAL: dhwanit

Hi,

There is very little bit weight of these tags so we just need to use it wisely.


Where d'you get that information from? Last I heard the H1 tag was quite important. Problems would arise if the H1 tag was used more than once as the effect would be diluted.

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Mojo

 

Posts: 2472
From: Chicago
Status: offline

 
RE: H Tag Usage - 4/16/2009 10:27:10   
dhwanit is an India link finder. We have an infestation.

The H1 is still very important when used properly.

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