Google's perspective on using H1-H6 heading elements for SEO, as explained by Gary Illyes.
- Heading Elements: The text explains that heading elements (H1 to H6) are used to structure content in HTML, with H1 being the most important and H6 the least.
- Importance of Headings: Headings are crucial for both screen readers (accessibility) and search engines like Google to understand the content's structure and hierarchy.
- Google's Stance: While Google recommends using headings in hierarchical order, it's not mandatory for SEO. Gary Illyes clarified that Google's algorithms can understand the content even if headings are not used in perfect order.
- Key Takeaway: The emphasis is on creating clear and accessible content for users. Headings should be used logically to organize the content, making it easier for both readers and search engines to comprehend.
- Prioritize Good Content: The text advises focusing on creating valuable content that helps readers. While following SEO best practices is important, it shouldn't overshadow the primary goal of providing useful information.
In essence, the text conveys that while using headings in a hierarchical order is beneficial, Google's search algorithms are sophisticated enough to understand content structure even if the heading order isn't perfect. The key is to prioritize creating high-quality, user-friendly content that is well-organized with headings.
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