Do headings affect ranking?

Indirectly, yes. Headings help clarify structure, which can improve engagement and make content easier for search systems to interpret.

Can I use headings in the footer/sidebar?

Yes, you can use headings (like <h2>, <h3>) in a footer for structure and accessibility, especially for organizing footer links into sections (e.g., "Support", "Company"), but they are generally considered less important for SEO than on-page headings, and Google may give them less weight as they repeat sitewide

why is proper HTML heading structure important for SEO?

Proper HTML heading structure matters for SEO because it helps search engines and AI systems understand what your page is about and how each section relates to the main topic. Clear, properly nested headings reinforce topical relevance, make sections easier to interpret, and help search systems identify which parts of your content answer specific questions. While headings alone won’t boost rankings, poor or inconsistent structure can weaken clarity and limit how accurately your content is indexed, summarized, or recommended.

How to check my website for proper heading structure?

One of the easiest ways to check your heading structure is to run your page through the WAVE accessibility report by WebAIM . The WAVE tool highlights heading levels and flags issues like skipped or out-of-order headings—making it easy to see whether your page has a clear, logical hierarchy. You can also spot-check by: Inspecting the page for <h1>–<h6> tags Skimming just the headings to see if they read like a clean outline If WAVE shows heading order errors, it’s a strong signal your structure needs cleanup—for accessibility and SEO.

What is the impact of skipping heading levels in HTML?

Skipping heading levels in HTML breaks the logical structure of a page and can negatively affect accessibility, clarity, and SEO. When headings jump levels (for example, from <h2> straight to <h4>): Screen readers lose context, making pages harder to navigate for users who rely on assistive technology, making them less accessible . Content relationships become unclear , since subtopics appear without a proper parent section Search engines and AI systems have a harder time understanding topic hierarchy , which can weaken how sections are interpreted or summarized Skipping levels doesn’t usually cause penalties, but it reduces clarity and usability—and that makes your content harder to understand, scan, and recommend.