Long H2 Headings

This error appears when one or more H2 headings on a page exceed the recommended 70 characters. Here's what it means and how to adjust them to improve readability.

What this error means

H2 headings are the subheadings that organize a page's content into sections. Their function is to help users scan the text and quickly find what they're looking for. When they exceed 70 characters, they start to lose effectiveness as visual navigation elements. A long H2 forces users to read more to understand what that section is about. Instead of acting as a clear, direct signal, it becomes just another paragraph. That breaks the reading rhythm and makes the content harder to follow. On mobile devices the problem gets worse. A lengthy H2 can span several lines, which visually affects the page structure and makes the content appear denser than it actually is. This error usually appears when subheadings are written as full sentences instead of concise titles, or when too much context is crammed into a single heading.

Why shortening H2s matters

H2s are the content's roadmap. When they're too long, that roadmap becomes confusing and users lose their bearings within the page. Shortening them improves the reading experience and helps content be understood better at first glance.

Impact on SEO rankings

Google analyzes H2s to understand a page's structure and secondary topics. A lengthy subheading dilutes keywords and makes it harder to identify what each section is about.

Impact on user experience

A long H2 interrupts the visual scanning of content. Users don't read top to bottom — they scan. If subheadings are hard to process at a glance, the content loses structure and users may leave before finding what they're looking for.

Negative signals for site quality

Excessively long subheadings signal a lack of editorial judgment. A good H2 is precise and direct. When it's too lengthy, it gives the impression that the content hasn't been carefully reviewed.

How to fix it step by step

If this error showed up in your audit, here are the steps to leave it behind.

Step 1

Identify which H2s exceed 70 characters

Ruk Audit shows you exactly which H2s have this problem and how many characters each one has. Review them before editing anything and prioritize those on the most important pages.

Step 2

Identify the main idea of each subheading

Before rewriting, be clear about what the H2 most needs to convey. Everything that isn't essential can be removed or integrated into the paragraph directly below it.

Step 3

Rewrite the H2 in 70 characters or fewer

With the main idea clear, rewrite the subheading concisely. It's not about cutting words at random, but about finding the most direct way to introduce that section.

Step 4

Check that the new H2 is still descriptive

A short H2 shouldn't sacrifice clarity. Verify that the resulting subheading still explains what that section is about and makes sense within the context of the page.

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