Heading Hierarchy
Checks heading order — H1 → H2 → H3 without skipping levels.
What this check measures
We walk the DOM in document order and verify each heading does not skip more than one level down from its predecessor. H1 → H3 without an H2 is a finding.
Why it matters
Broken hierarchy hurts accessibility (screen readers rely on nested structure) and SEO (Google uses hierarchy to understand content outline). Both are soft signals individually but compound with other issues.
How our audit detects it
Walk H1-H6 tags in document order. Track current depth and flag any jump greater than +1 level.
Typical findings
- error_outlineH1 directly followed by H3 with no H2 in between.
- error_outlineH4 used as styling for "small heading" without an H3 parent.
- error_outlineMultiple H2s that visually look like section breaks but outline makes no sense.
How to fix
Use headings for structure, not styling. H2 for main sections, H3 for sub-sections. Never skip levels. If you need a smaller visual style, use CSS on an H3 — do not reach for H4.
Frequently asked questions
Does heading hierarchy affect ranking?expand_more
How do I check hierarchy quickly?expand_more
Want this checked on your site?
Pantra runs the full audit (SEO, Security, GEO, Performance, Schema, Technical, Images) in 10 seconds and generates stack-specific fix prompts.
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