SEO

H1 tag

By Paul Brock·Updated on 22-04-2026
TL;DR

The H1 is the primary heading of an HTML page and the strongest semantic signal about the page topic.

Every page ideally has exactly one H1: a clear, human heading visible on the page. Google uses the H1 strongly to understand the topic and may show it in the SERP if it fits better than the meta title. Multiple H1s are valid HTML5 but semantically unclear.

Example

A services page 'SEO Breda' uses <h1>SEO agency Breda with proven results</h1> — more specific than bare 'SEO Breda'.

Frequently asked questions

Can H1 be the same as meta title?

Can, but usually not optimal. Meta title optimises CTR (with brand); H1 optimises scanability on the page (without brand).

Related terms

Further reading

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