How to Fix Duplicate H1 Tags and Boost Your SEO

Header 1 tags (H1s) are essential for your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). They clearly signal the main topic of your pages to search engines and readers. Unfortunately, duplicate H1 tags are a common issue that can hinder your SEO efforts. Let’s dive in and fix this using Screaming Frog.

Why Duplicate H1 Tags Are a Problem

• Confuses Search Engines: Search engines prefer a clear content hierarchy. Multiple H1s make it harder to identify your page’s main focus.
• Poor User Experience: H1 tags shape readers’ expectations. More than one H1 can create disjointed content that’s less reader-friendly.
• Missed SEO Opportunities: H1 tags are valuable places to use relevant keywords. Duplicate tags lessen your ability to signal the right terms to search engines.

How to Find Duplicate H1 Tags with Screaming Frog

1. Install Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Download and install this powerful website crawler from https://www.screamingfrog.co.uk/seo-spider/.
2. Crawl Your Website: Enter your website’s URL and let Screaming Frog analyze your site.
3. Review the ‘H1’ Tab: Once the crawl is complete, navigate to the “H1” tab in Screaming Frog.
4. Filter for Duplicates: Use the “Filter” dropdown menu and select “Duplicate.” This will isolate pages with multiple H1 tags.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Duplicate H1 Tags

1. Choose the Main H1: For each page with duplicates, decide on the best primary headline. It should be keyword-rich and descriptive of the page’s content.
2. Change Other Headings: Edit any additional “<h1>” tags on the affected pages. Change them to “<h2>” or “<h3>” – whichever fits in your content’s hierarchy.
3. Recrawl Your Site: With changes made, re-run Screaming Frog to ensure your fixes were successful.
4. Investigate the Cause: Why did you have duplicate H1s? Consider these possibilities:
   • CMS Issues: Your content management system might be at fault. Look closely at your templates and theme settings.
   • Coding Errors: Inspect your HTML code for any stray tags.
   • Plugin Conflicts: Plugins can sometimes disrupt headings. Temporarily disable any recent plugins to see if they’re the culprit.

Additional Tips

• WordPress Note: WordPress often sets the page/post title as the H1. Make sure that plugins or your theme aren’t adding extra H1s around it.
• Uniqueness: Ensure each page’s H1 tag is unique across your site.
• Keyword Usage: Include a relevant keyword or phrase naturally within your H1.

The Benefits of Cleaning Up H1 Tags

• Improved Search Engine Clarity: Search engines will understand your pages better.
• Enhanced User Experience: Smoother reading experience with well-organized content.
• Better SEO Potential: Increased chances of ranking higher for relevant search terms.

Conclusion

Duplicate H1 tags might seem minor, but they can confuse search engines and your audience. By using a powerful tool like Screaming Frog to pinpoint the issue and following the steps above, you’ll create cleaner, better-optimized website content.

Let me know if you’d like any other SEO-related blog posts!