How do you align your h1, h2, and h3 tags with your content strategy and user intent?

1 Understand your audience and goal

Before you write any content, you need to know who you are writing for and what you want them to do. Your content strategy should define your target audience, their pain points, their search intent, and your value proposition. Your H1, H2, and H3 tags should reflect these elements and match the expectations of your readers. For example, if your audience is looking for a solution to a problem, your H1 should state the problem and your H2s should outline the solution.

2 Use keywords and modifiers

Keywords are the words and phrases that your audience uses to search for your content. Modifiers are the words that add specificity, context, or emotion to your keywords. Using keywords and modifiers in your H1, H2, and H3 tags can help you rank higher for relevant queries and attract more clicks. For example, if your keyword is "SEO copywriting", you can use modifiers like "tips", "guide", "examples", or "best practices" to make your tags more descriptive and appealing.

3 Write clear and concise tags

Your H1, H2, and H3 tags should be clear and concise, not vague or confusing. They should tell your readers and search engines what your content is about, what they will learn, and how they will benefit. They should also follow a logical hierarchy, with your H1 being the most important and general, and your H2s and H3s being more specific and detailed. For example, if your H1 is "How to write SEO-friendly headlines", your H2s could be "Why headlines matter for SEO", "How to research keywords for headlines", and "How to optimize headlines for clicks".

4 Use different formats and styles

Your H1, H2, and H3 tags don't have to be boring or repetitive. You can use different formats and styles to make them more engaging and persuasive. For example, you can use questions, statements, lists, numbers, brackets, or quotes to vary your tags and capture attention. You can also use different fonts, colors, sizes, or icons to emphasize your tags and create contrast. However, don't overdo it or sacrifice readability for creativity. Your tags should still be consistent with your brand voice and tone.

5 Test and optimize your tags

Your H1, H2, and H3 tags are not set in stone. You can test and optimize them based on your performance data and feedback. You can use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, or A/B testing software to measure how your tags affect your traffic, rankings, click-through rate, bounce rate, and conversions. You can also use tools like CoSchedule Headline Analyzer, Portent Title Maker, or Answer the Public to generate ideas and suggestions for your tags. You should always aim to improve your tags and make them more relevant and effective.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?