Using a link on an header tag? (h1)

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by stimpsy, Mar 5, 2008.

  1. #1
    Hello,

    I'm currently working on a client project.

    They seem to have strange programming practices.

    The result is that they use an header tag (h1), along with an hyperlink, so the header tag is actually clickable, along with the content of a DIV including some text and an image.

    So, of course I know this is not a good practice, but Im wondering what is the impact on SEO?

    Will the header tag, still be considered as an header, or will it be considered as a link, or both (I guess not...)?
     
    stimpsy, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  2. mertyasar

    mertyasar Well-Known Member

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    #2
    h1 tags have very big impacts on seo they are very important fro search engines
     
    mertyasar, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  3. stimpsy

    stimpsy Well-Known Member

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    #3
    please answer if you have something intelligent to say
     
    stimpsy, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  4. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #4
    I'm actually testing what you're asking and I've seen some slight improvement on a competitive niche although my markup is different. I'm using h1 on the site title (clickable) and my header image (not within h1) is also clickable.

    Take a look at the markup of a Wordpress blog. Should give you an idea on what you would like to try.

    You might want to build a separate test site just to see its impact.
     
    cormac, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  5. trichnosis

    trichnosis Prominent Member

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    #5
    if you have used h1 tags, it may help your rank
     
    trichnosis, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  6. Rivers

    Rivers Peon

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    #6
    IMO, using <h> tags on important links is a good idea. it's like saying that this link is extra important than other links here.
     
    Rivers, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  7. NeilT

    NeilT Peon

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    #7
    Thats not a correct way to go about it. H1 tag is meant for your main headline. If you start using it on links or random keywords in you web page google will not like it at all.

    With that said I am not sure the effect on seo of having your main headline in <h1> tags and also being a link. Wordpress blogs use this practice and they rank good so my guess is that it has little to no effect. It might even be good.
     
    NeilT, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  8. Rivers

    Rivers Peon

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    #8
    Exactly. Use it in moderation. I did not mean to say put <h1> and <a> on all your keywords :D. That's just silly.
     
    Rivers, Mar 5, 2008 IP
  9. akira07

    akira07 Peon

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    #9
    Hmmm i am beginner is SEO, but i ever heard about meta tag. Are <h1>..</h1. is meta tag? If yes, i hear that is good step to get good position in search engines
     
    akira07, Mar 6, 2008 IP
  10. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #10
    No, H1 is a heading element used to describe and introduce the content that immediately follows it in the section of the document (Web page) it in turn is contained in.

    If you really want to learn how the search engines treat HTML elements, the best place to start is by reading the HTML specification itself. Seriously.
     
    Dan Schulz, Mar 6, 2008 IP
  11. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #11
    According to my experience, having an h1 tag on top linking to a site and not a lot of other h tags on the same page, tells the search engines that the most important information regarding what the keyterms in the anchors in the link promise, is indeed on the page it links to.
     
    Blogmaster, Mar 7, 2008 IP