This page has an H1 heading that is too long (over 70 characters). Overly long H1 headings can dilute the focus of the page and may negatively impact SEO. When H1 tags become excessively lengthy, they often contain multiple concepts or keywords, which can confuse both users and search engines about the primary topic of the page. Rather than helping to establish topical relevance, these verbose headings tend to dilute keyword focus and make it harder for search engines to determine what the page is truly about. Additionally, from a user experience perspective, extremely long headings can be visually overwhelming and may wrap awkwardly on mobile devices, creating a poor first impression.
H1 headings that are too long are a common SEO issue that web crawlers flag for correction. Most SEO analysis tools will highlight this as an issue because concise, focused H1 tags have historically performed better in search results. While search engines don't have a strict character limit for H1 tags (unlike title tags which get truncated in search results), there's a practical limit to how long a heading can be while still maintaining its effectiveness. Overly verbose H1s often contain unnecessary modifiers, adjectives, and filler words that add little value but dilute the semantic power of the heading. The ideal H1 strikes a balance—long enough to be descriptive and incorporate important keywords, but concise enough to be immediately understood.
Keeping H1 headings at an optimal length is important because:
The H1 heading serves as the main identifier for your page's content, similar to a newspaper headline or book title. When users or search engines encounter your page, the H1 is one of the first elements they assess to understand the content's purpose. A concise, well-crafted H1 immediately signals what information visitors can expect to find, improving user experience by confirming they've arrived at a relevant page. From a technical perspective, shorter H1s are also more accessible—screen readers often announce headings in their entirety, and excessively long headings can create a poor experience for users with visual impairments. They may need to listen to a lengthy heading before understanding the page's topic, which can be frustrating when navigating through multiple pages.
To fix an H1 heading that is too long:
When revising an overly long H1, start by identifying the core message or primary topic you want to communicate. Ask yourself: "What is the one thing this page is about?" Once you've identified this core concept, craft a heading that clearly expresses it while incorporating your primary keyword naturally. If you find yourself wanting to include multiple ideas or benefits in the H1, consider whether these might be better served as H2 subheadings or within the body content instead. For example, rather than "Premier Plumbing Services: Your Number One Choice for All Residential and Commercial Plumbing Solutions in the Greater Metropolitan Area - Fast, Reliable, and Affordable Services," a more effective H1 might be "Professional Plumbing Services for Homes & Businesses." This shorter version maintains the core message while secondary details like service area, reliability, and affordability can be addressed in subheadings or opening paragraphs where they still contribute to the page's relevance without cluttering the main heading.