Heading Hierarchy
Skipped heading levels (H1 to H3 without H2) confuse screen readers and break the navigational structure that assistive technology users depend on. SaaSalyst checks your heading hierarchy for proper sequential ordering, detecting breaks that affect both accessibility and SEO.
What SaaSalyst Checks
SaaSalyst parses all heading elements (H1-H6) on your homepage in document order. The scanner checks whether heading levels increase sequentially (H1 → H2 → H3, not H1 → H3). Skipped levels trigger a warning. Zero headings triggers a failure.
Why This Matters
Headings create an outline of your page content. Screen reader users navigate by headings to find specific sections — similar to scanning a table of contents. When heading levels skip, this outline has gaps that make navigation confusing.
Search engines also use heading hierarchy to understand content structure and relative importance. A well-structured heading hierarchy reinforces your content's topical organization.
Most heading hierarchy issues are easy to fix: they typically result from choosing heading levels based on visual style rather than content structure. Use CSS for styling and headings for structure.
5,114
ADA digital accessibility lawsuits filed in the US in 2025
UsableNet
94.8%
Of websites fail basic WCAG checks
WebAIM Million 2025
77%
Of ADA lawsuits target companies under $25M revenue
AudioEye
How to Fix It
- Ensure headings follow a sequential order: H1 → H2 → H3. Don't skip levels (avoid H1 → H3).
- Use exactly one H1 per page for the main title. Use H2 for major sections and H3 for subsections.
- Style headings with CSS classes rather than choosing heading levels based on desired visual size.
- Test your heading structure using browser accessibility tools or the HeadingsMap extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does SaaSalyst check heading hierarchy?
SaaSalyst parses all H1-H6 elements in document order and checks for sequential ordering. Skipped levels (like H1 to H3) trigger a warning, and zero headings trigger a failure.
Why does heading order matter?
Screen reader users navigate by headings. SaaSalyst checks heading hierarchy because skipped levels break the content outline that assistive technology users depend on for navigation.
How does heading hierarchy affect my Business Readiness Score?
SaaSalyst rates heading hierarchy as medium severity in Accessibility. Broken hierarchy affects both accessibility compliance and SEO content structure.
References & Official Sources
Official regulatory and standards sources relevant to the checks SaaSalyst runs on your site.
- WCAG Overview— W3C
- European Accessibility Act Directive— European Union
- WebAIM Million Annual Report— WebAIM
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