How to fix multiple H1 tags

An H1 tag should be the primary heading that describes the overall topic of a page. Having more than one H1 can dilute the topical focus and confuse the document hierarchy.

What is wrong

This issue occurs when a page template or editor uses the HTML tag for multiple elements, such as the logo, the main title, and secondary section headers. You can spot this by inspecting the source code or using a browser extension to list header tags.

Why it matters

While modern search engines can parse pages with multiple H1s, a single H1 remains a best practice for accessibility and SEO. It provides a clear signal to both users and LLMs about the primary subject of the page, ensuring that secondary sections do not compete for topical importance.

How to fix it

1. Identify the primary heading

Select the most important heading that encompasses the entire page content. This is usually the main title of the article or product name.

2. Demote secondary H1s

Change all other tags to or tags. This maintains a logical nested hierarchy where sub-topics sit underneath the main heading.

3. Adjust CSS styling

If you were using H1s for visual styling rather than structure, update your CSS so that your H2 tags look the way you want without using the H1 HTML element.

4. Check the site template

Often, multiple H1s are hard-coded into the header or sidebar of a CMS theme. Check your template files to ensure the site logo or name isn't wrapped in an H1 on every page.

Platform notes

Many WordPress themes automatically wrap the site title in an H1. Check your theme customiser or 'header.php' file to ensure only the post title uses the H1 tag.