What about h4, h5 and h6 tags?

I can't understand how to properly use these header tags for SEO. Are they even used now?

>>>"It is and outdated and rote SEO belief that H1 headings are more important as a ranking factor than H2 headings and that H2 headings are more important (as a ranking factor) than H3 headings and so on. The rote SEO belief is that one puts their most important keywords in the highest level heading and less important keywords in the lower level heading elements.


The relative importance of heading tags, that H1 is more important than H2, used to be a real ranking factor over 15 years ago."<<<

John Mueller (Google) explains that is no longer the case: So… this question of… how should I order my H1, H2, H3, headings and what should the content be, that’s something from my point of view isn’t really that relevant.
www.searchenginejournal.com
Google Explains How to Use Headings for SEO
Google's John Mueller explains the proper use of heading elements (H1, H2, H3) for SEO.
www.searchenginejournal.com www.searchenginejournal.com

In SEO and web content structure, &lt;h4&gt;, &lt;h5&gt;, and &lt;h6&gt; tags are subordinate heading elements that extend the hierarchy defined by &lt;h1&gt; (main title) to &lt;h3&gt; (section subheadings). While they carry less weight than higher-level headings, they play a critical role in organizing content, improving readability, and signaling relevance to search engines. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their purpose, best practices, and SEO considerations:

1. What Are h4, h5, h6 Tags?​

Heading tags (h1–h6) create a logical structure for your content, similar to chapters and subchapters in a book:

• &lt;h1&gt;: Main topic of the page (e.g., "The Complete Guide to SEO Keyword Obsolescence")
• &lt;h2&gt;: Major sections (e.g., "Causes of Keyword Obsolescence")
• &lt;h3&gt;: Subsections within h2 (e.g., "Technological Disruption as a Driver")
• &lt;h4&gt;: Subpoints under an h3 (e.g., "How 5G Replaced 4G Keywords")
• &lt;h5&gt;: Further 细分 (e.g., "Consumer Behavior Shifts in 5G Adoption")
• &lt;h6&gt;: The most granular level (rarely used, e.g., "Regional 5G Keyword Trends")

Each tag indicates a parent-child relationship, helping both users and search engines understand how ideas connect.

2. Key Roles in SEO & Readability​

While h4–h6 have lower SEO priority than h1–h3, they still contribute to your content’s performance:

A. Enhancing Content Structure​

• They break long sections into digestible chunks. For example, under an h3 like "Identifying Obsolete Keywords," an h4 could focus on "Using Google Trends for Analysis," and an h5 might dive into "Interpreting 12-Month Trend Data."
• This hierarchy guides users through complex topics, reducing bounce rates by making content easier to scan.

B. Signaling Relevance to Search Engines​

• Search engines like Google use heading tags to grasp content context. Including secondary keywords or related terms in h4–h6 (e.g., "long-tail keyword decay" in an h4 under "Types of Keyword Obsolescence") reinforces your page’s relevance to broader topics.
• They avoid "keyword stuffing" in higher headings by distributing semantic variations across lower levels.

C. Supporting Accessibility​

• Screen readers use headings to navigate content. A clear h4–h6 structure helps users with disabilities understand your content’s flow, which aligns with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and indirectly benefits SEO (Google prioritizes accessible sites).

3. Best Practices for Using h4–h6 Tags​

To maximize their impact, follow these guidelines:

• Maintain Hierarchy Consistency
  Never skip levels (e.g., jump from h2 to h4). This confuses both users and search engines. Example of correct flow:
  html
  
  
• Use Sparingly and Purposefully
  Overusing h4–h6 (e.g., every 2 sentences) dilutes their impact. Reserve them for distinct subpoints that add value to the parent section.
• Incorporate Secondary Keywords Naturally
  Include long-tail variations or related terms (e.g., under an h3 about "keyword research tools," an h4 could be "How to Spot Declining Terms in Ahrefs"). Avoid forcing keywords—readability comes first.
• Keep Headings Concise
  Like h1–h3, h4–h6 should be brief (ideally under 60 characters) to convey their purpose at a glance.
• Avoid Styling for Appearance Alone
  Don’t use h4–h6 just to change font size (use CSS instead). Search engines may penalize misuse, as it undermines structural clarity.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid​

• Overlooking Their Role: Assuming h4–h6 don’t matter—even minor structural improvements can boost user engagement, which indirectly improves SEO.
• Breaking Hierarchy: Using h5 after h2 (e.g., &lt;h2&gt;Section&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;h5&gt;Subpoint&lt;/h5&gt creates confusion.
• Keyword Stuffing: Packing h4–h6 with irrelevant terms to game rankings (e.g., "Best SEO Keyword Obsolescence Tools 2024 Cheap Free" in an h4) harms readability and may trigger algorithmic penalties.