Google Search Engine Optimisation Starter Guide - Manual (Page 15)

Google's Search Engine Optimisation Starter Guide, Version 1.1, 13 Nov 2008, latest version at Google Webmaster Central
Good practices for heading tags
•
Imagine that you're writing an outline - Similar to writing an outline for a large paper, put
some thought into what the main points and subpoints of the content on the page will be and
decide where to use heading tags appropriately.
Avoid:
•
placing text in heading tags that wouldn't be helpful in defining the structure of the
page
•
using heading tags where other tags such as <em> and <strong> may be more
appropriate
•
erratically moving from one heading tag size to another
•
Use headings sparingly across the page - Use heading tags where it makes sense.Too
many heading tags on a page can make it hard for users to scan the content and determine
where one topic ends and another begins.
Avoid:
•
excessively using heading tags throughout the page
•
putting all of the page's text into a heading tag
•
using heading tags only for styling text and not presenting structure
Optimise your use of images
Images may seem like a straightforward component of your site, but you can optimise your use of them.
All images can have a distinct file name and "alt" attribute, both of which you should take advantage of.
The "alt" attribute allows you to specify alternative text for the image if it cannot be displayed for some
reason.
Our alt text here is a brief but accurate description of the image
Why use this attribute? If a user is viewing your site on a browser that doesn't support images or is using
alternative technologies, such as a screen reader, the contents of the alt attribute provide information
about the picture.