Difference Between Title and H1 in SEO

wellness blog

Title Tag and H1 Tag Difference With Examples and Best Practices for Wellness Startups

When I first approached SEO marketing during my master, I remember being very confused about why there needed to be two different titles for each blog post we were assigned. And as a user, when I Google something, I’m always fascinated by how you read something that catches your eyes in the search results page, and you click on it, the page title ends up being different. That is in essence the difference between the Title tag and the H1 tag. Read on to understand how to use them in your favour.

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Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a crucial component of any digital marketing strategy, particularly for wellness startups aiming to increase their online visibility. SEO marketing involves numerous elements, and understanding the role of different tags — particularly, the difference between the title tag and H1 tags — is essential for optimising a website effectively. While these two elements may seem similar, they serve very distinct purposes in SEO and web structure. This article explores the differences between title tags and H1 tags, their impact on SEO, and how wellness startups can leverage them to improve search rankings and user experience.

What Is SEO and Why Is It Important for Wellness Startups?

SEO, or search engine optimisation, refers to the process of optimising a website’s visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs) so that your website shows up for relevant search queries your ideal customer are typing into Google’s search bar. This involves optimising various elements of a website to rank higher for your chosen search terms (or keywords), attracting more organic traffic.

For wellness startups, SEO is especially important because the industry is highly fragmented and competitive. Many businesses offer similar services, such as yoga classes, holistic therapies, nutrition coaching, and mindfulness workshops. Without proper SEO, a startup risks being overshadowed by more established brands, losing potential customers to competitors. Effective SEO helps wellness startups:

The Role of Headings and Meta Tags in SEO

Each page you create on your website, from your homepage to your services page to each blog post you publish, requires you to set some information so that Google understands what the page is about – these are called HTML tags. The title tag and the H1 tag are two of the most important on-page elements that contribute to SEO success. Understanding their functions and best practices can help wellness startups structure their content more effectively.

What Is a Title Tag?

A title tag is an HTML element that specifies the title of a web page. It appears in three key places:

  1. Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs): The title tag is the clickable headline that users see in search results.
  2. Web Browser Tabs: It appears on the tab of an open browser window.
  3. Social Media Shares: When a page is shared, the title tag is often displayed as the preview title.

Importance of Title Tags for SEO

Title tags are crucial for both search engines and users. They help search engines understand the topic of a page and influence click-through rates (CTR). A well-optimised title tag should:

  • Include relevant keywords to improve ranking potential
  • Be concise, ideally between 50-60 characters (AppLabX)
  • Be compelling to encourage users to click
  • Accurately reflect the content on the page

For example, a wellness startup offering guided meditation sessions could use a title tag like:

“Guided Meditation for Stress Relief | Mindfulness Sessions Online”

This title tag includes relevant keywords (“guided meditation” and “mindfulness sessions”), is concise, and clearly communicates the value of the page.

What Is an H1 Tag?

The H1 tag is an HTML heading tag that represents the primary heading of a webpage. It is typically the most prominent text on the page and should summarise the page’s main topic.

Importance of The H1 Tag for SEO

H1 tags contribute to SEO in the following ways:

  1. Helps Search Engines Understand Content Structure: Search engines use H1 tags to determine the primary topic of a page, making them important for content relevance.
  2. Enhances User Experience: A well-crafted H1 tag improves readability and engagement, helping users quickly understand what the page is about.
  3. Supports Accessibility: Screen readers use H1 tags to help visually impaired users navigate content.

Best practices for H1 tags include:

  • Using only one H1 tag per page for clarity
  • Making it descriptive and relevant to the page content
  • Including primary keywords naturally
  • Ensuring it is different from the title tag to provide additional context

For the same wellness startup offering meditation sessions, an effective H1 tag could be:

“Experience Deep Relaxation with Our Guided Meditation Sessions”

This H1 tag aligns with the title tag but expands on the topic in a natural and engaging way.

Title vs H1

FeatureTitle TagH1 Tag
PurposeUsed for SEO and appearing in search resultsUsed for structuring content on the page
VisibilityAppears in search engines, browser tabs, and social sharesVisible on the webpage as a main heading
SEO ImpactDirect impact on rankings and click-through ratesHelps with content structure and readability
Character Limit50-60 charactersNo strict limit, but should be concise
Quantity per PageOne per pageTypically one per page

Example: Wellness Blog Page

Consider a wellness startup that has a blog page about mindfulness techniques. The title tag and H1 tag might be structured as follows:

  • Title Tag: “10 Mindfulness Techniques for a Calmer Mind | Wellness Blog”
  • H1 Tag: “Discover 10 Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Stress and Improve Well-being”

This example demonstrates how the title tag is concise and keyword-focused, while the H1 tag provides a more descriptive, reader-friendly heading.

Best Practices for Wellness Startups

To maximise the benefits of title tags and H1 tags, wellness startups should follow these best practices:

Optimising Title Tags

  • Include primary keywords near the beginning of the title (A significant majority (65–85%) of top-ranking pages include the exact target keyword within their title tags, blog.applabx.com)
  • Keep the title engaging and informative
  • Consider phrasing it as a question (Titles that incorporate question words – e.g., “how,” “what,” “why” – achieve a 15.5% CTR, blog.applabx.com)
  • Avoid keyword stuffing
  • Use separators like “|” or “-” for readability

Optimising H1 Tags

  • Ensure the H1 tag clearly represents the content on the page
  • Use natural language that resonates with the audience
  • Keep it distinct from the title tag to add value
  • Maintain a logical content hierarchy (H1, followed by H2s and H3s for subheadings)

If You Use WordPress, Here is How To Hide The Title Tag on Your Next Blog Post

See how at the top of this page you only see the H1 tag? Unless you change your settings, WordPress automatically places the title tag at the top of each page on your website (which is not ideal, as the title tag does NOT contribute to readability or page structure). Check out this guide on how to Hide Page Titles Using the Site Editor.

In Conclusion, the Difference Between the H1 Tag and the Title Tag

Understanding the difference between title tags and H1 tags is crucial for any wellness startup looking to enhance its SEO strategy. While both elements contribute to a webpage’s success, they serve different purposes: the title tag optimises visibility on search engines, while the H1 tag improves on-page readability and structure. By implementing best practices for both, wellness startups can improve their rankings, attract more visitors, and establish a strong online presence.

Check out 10 Common SEO Mistakes and How To Fix Them.

By optimising these fundamental SEO elements, wellness businesses can make their content more accessible, engaging, and discoverable, ultimately helping them connect with more clients and grow their brand in the competitive wellness industry.

FAQ

1. Can a webpage have multiple H1 tags? While it is possible, it is best practice to have only one H1 tag per page to maintain clarity and improve search engine readability.

2. Do title tags affect SEO rankings? Yes, title tags play a crucial role in SEO rankings by helping search engines understand page content and improving click-through rates.

3. Should the title tag and H1 tag be different? Yes, they should be complementary but distinct. The title tag is for search engines and should be optimised for clicks, while the H1 tag should enhance on-page readability.

4. How long should an H1 tag be? There is no strict character limit, but it should be concise, descriptive, and relevant to the page’s content.

Ilaria Pellegrini is a SEO consultant and blog writer based in London, UK. With 8+ years of brand and digital marketing expertise, since 2023 she started working with wellness and coaching businesses to strengthen their online visibility and increase their chances of discoverability through SEO. https://www.maars.marketing

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