Glossary

H2 Tag

The second-level HTML heading used to mark major sections within a page.

Definition

The H2 tag is an HTML heading element — written as <h2>Section Title</h2> — used to mark the major sections of a web page, directly beneath the H1. A page can have multiple H2 headings, one per major section. H2s provide structure for readers (allowing scanning) and for search engines (communicating the page's subtopics). Including relevant keywords naturally in H2 headings strengthens on-page SEO.

Why It Matters

H2 headings are the primary structural tool for long-form content. They break a page into scannable sections, reducing cognitive load and improving user experience. Google frequently uses H2 headings to extract featured snippets and understand page structure. Well-written, keyword-relevant H2s also contribute to a page's overall relevance for its target topic.

Examples

Good H2<h2>How to Calculate Keyword Density</h2> — clear section label, includes related keyword

Good H2<h2>What Is the Ideal Keyword Density for SEO?</h2> — question format often triggers featured snippets

Poor H2<h2>More Information</h2> — vague, no keyword signal

Common Mistakes

Using H2 tags for styling rather than structure — only use heading tags for actual content headings.

Writing all H2s as generic labels with no keyword relevance.

Having only one H2 on a long-form page — most articles of 1,000+ words benefit from 3–6 H2 sections.

Skipping H2s entirely and jumping from H1 to H3 — breaks heading hierarchy.

Related Tools

Word Counter

Count words in your text instantly with reading level analysis.

Readability Score Checker

Calculate the Flesch Reading Ease score of your text.

Keyword Density Checker

Analyze keyword frequency and density for SEO.

Related Terms

H1 Tag

The main HTML heading tag that marks the primary title of a web page.

Subheading

A secondary heading used to organize sections within a piece of content.

On-Page SEO

The practice of optimizing individual web pages to rank higher in search results.

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