SEO HTML Tags: Essentials to Boost Your Visibility

Last updated on June 22, 2025

HTML tags in SEO are like the foundations of a house. They are the base upon which your website rests. You want your visitors and search engine crawlers to appreciate and recommend your content, right? In this article, we'll look at the tags you need to know for search engine optimization and how markup plays a crucial role in improving the visibility of your content. Because these tags represent much more than just lines of code: they are one of the keys to making your website shine on the Web.

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Tags: the foundations of the web

What is an HTML tag?

HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is the markup language used to create web pages. HTML tags are the basic elements of this language and are used to to structure and format the content of a page. Each tag is defined by chevrons ( "« < »" And "« > »" ) and may have an attribute which specifies how it should be interpreted.

➡️ Example of a simple tag: <p>This is a paragraph.</p>

The structure of HTML tags

The opening and closing tags follow a hierarchical structure.

In our example, <p>This is a paragraph.</p>,

the paragraph as by <p> and ends with </p>. This structure ensures that the browser correctly translates the content and displays it appropriately.

➡️ Here is a more complex example to illustrate this hierarchy:

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html>

<head>

<strong>Interior decorator Paris</strong>

</head>

<body>

<h1>Interior decorator</h1>

<p>The text in paragraph form.</p>

</body>

</html>

In this example, <!DOCTYPE html> is the root tag of a document written in HTML5. Inside it, there are several sub-tags, such as <head> (header) or <body> (body of the text). Each of them has a specific role in the structure and functioning of the page.

HTML attributes

HTML tags can also have attributes that provide additional information.

➡️ Example for coding a hyperlink :

<a href="/en/ »https://www.exemple.com »/">Visit our website</a>

Here, the href attribute has the value of the URL to which the link redirects.

➡️ Example for coding an image :

<img src= »appartement.jpg » alt= »Modernizing a Haussmannian apartment« >

Here, the `img` attribute has the value of the displayed image. The `src` (source) attribute indicates the image path (here, "apartment.jpg"). The `ALT` attribute designates the alternative text that is displayed if the image cannot be loaded due to a technical problem or if the user is using a screen reader (for visually impaired users). In SEO, the `ALT` attribute is crucial for optimizing images.

HTML tags in SEO to structure your pages

In web writing, writers use on-page and off-page HTML tags to create structured and optimized content. These tags indicate the importance and hierarchy of the content to search engines (Google, Bing, etc.). Markup also improves the readability and comprehension of the content for internet users. What HTML tags should you know? Let's take a look!

HTML tag </span></h3> </div> </div> </div> <div id="" class="brz-css-s1jxyo brz-css-od4fof brz-wrapper"> <div class="brz-rich-text brz-rich-text__custom brz-css-in8rmu" data-brz-custom-id="wybaiqaowhlhixgatfqmosrpfzhukluqqheh"> <div data-brz-translate-text="1"> <p class="brz-text-lg-left brz-lh-sm-1_9 brz-lh-xs-1_9 brz-fs-sm-15 brz-fs-xs-15 brz-fw-sm-400 brz-fw-xs-400 brz-fs-lg-17 brz-fss-lg-px brz-fw-lg-400 brz-ls-lg-0 brz-lh-lg-1_7 brz-tp-lg-empty brz-ff-palanquin brz-ft-google brz-css-dBYRD" data-uniq-id="kaoR9" data-generated-css="brz-css-ujrYH">The title tag is represented by <strong>a clickable blue link</strong> in the Google results page. It plays a major role in SEO and must attract the attention of internet users.</p> <p class="brz-text-lg-left brz-lh-sm-1_9 brz-lh-xs-1_9 brz-fs-sm-15 brz-fs-xs-15 brz-fw-sm-400 brz-fw-xs-400 brz-fs-lg-17 brz-fss-lg-px brz-fw-lg-400 brz-ls-lg-0 brz-lh-lg-1_7 brz-tp-lg-empty brz-ff-palanquin brz-ft-google brz-css-qbGDv" data-uniq-id="a90Ct" data-generated-css="brz-css-sOE4w"><span class="brz-cp-color3" style="opacity: 1;">Example</span> <span class="brz-cp-color3" style="opacity: 1;">:</span> <title>Interior decorating tips – Your guide to a stylish interior

HTML tag <meta description>

The meta description tag summarizes the content of a web page and must capture the interest of internet users. This brief description is visible under the blue link in the SERP (search engine results page).

Example : <meta name= »description » content= »Découvrez des secrets de décoration intérieure pour créer un chez-vous élégant et chaleureux. Transformez votre espace avec nos astuces. » />

HTML tag <h1>

The H1 tag represents the main title of the web page (editorial title visible on the page). The H1 can be identical to the title.

Example : <h1>Discover interior design trends</h1>

The tags <h2>, <h3>, <h4>, <h5>, <h6>

THE subtitle tags <h2>, <h3, <h4>, etc. prioritize content to guide readers and web crawlers through your words.

Example : <h2>Bedroom decoration</h2>

Note: Remember to follow the correct order of H1 to H6 tags when structuring your page. Start with H1 for the main title, then H2 for section headings, and so on. Avoid jumping directly from H2 to H4, as this can disrupt the structure and negatively impact accessibility and SEO.

HTML tag <p>

HTML tag paragraph It breaks up the page content. It creates pauses for a smooth and understandable reading of your text.

Example : <p>Transform your living space into a haven of peace with our interior design ideas.</p>

The tags
    And

HTML tag bulleted list makes the content more visually appealing and catches the eye of internet users.

Example :

  • Choose calming colors for your bedroom.
  • Use plush rugs to add warmth to your living room.
  • Opt for natural wood furniture for a rustic atmosphere.

The tags
    And

The ordered list tag creates numbered lists and indicates the order of the elements.

Example :

  1. Choose matching cushions for your sofa.
  2. Place picture frames along the hallway.
  3. Invest in modern light fixtures to illuminate your space.

HTML tag <strong>

HTML tag of bolding, highlights the key message and has a significant semantic impact.

Example : <p>For a striking effect, <strong>accentuate a wall with a contrasting color</strong>.</p>

HTML tag

HTML tag italics highlights words or phrases for subtle emphasis.

Example : <p>The fabrics <i>velvet</i> bring a touch of luxury to your decor.</p>

Why tag a web page?

HTML SEO tags allow you to create high-quality websites, tailored to the needs of internet users and the requirements of search engines. Web page markup is essential for several reasons:

  • Content structuring : contribute to the visual and logical organization of a web page.
  • Accessibility : to facilitate navigation and understanding of content for people with specific needs (screen readers, etc.).
  • SEO referencing : make the structure and content of a page understood by web robots so that they can classify it in the SERP. You will need to place the main keyword within the tags the most relevant.
  • Improved user experience : to help visitors quickly find the information they need.

How to see the SEO tags of a page?

How do you identify the title? How do you inspect the HTML elements of a web page? Before publishing an article or web page, it is advisable to preview the content to ensure that the markup is correctly applied and that the rendering meets your expectations.

Check the source code of the page

To check the source code of a web page, follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the web page you want to inspect.
  2. Right-click anywhere on the web page.
  3. Select "Inspect" to view the HTML source code of the page.

This is a good way to understand how a web page is built and to identify any potential problems.

Download the SEO META IN 1 CLICK extension

The SEO META IN 1 CLICK extension is a tool that allows you to check at a glance the meta tags and other SEO information on a web page.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
  2. Access the Chrome Web Store or type the extension name directly into the search bar.
  3. Click on "add extension". The extension will be downloaded and installed on your browser.

Use the w3schools online tool

W3Schools allows, among other things, editing and test live code. A handy tool for checking how HTML tags are arranged in the content of a web page. To do this, nothing could be simpler: go to the W3Schools website.

HTML and SEO Comments

"HTML comments" are code elements within web pages. They provide developers with a space to add annotations, reminders, tips, and so on. Think of them as invisible "sticky notes" for website visitors. So, are they read by search engine robots (like Googlebot)? According to John Mueller, a member of the Google Search team, HTML comments are ignored during indexing. content. Therefore, they don't serve as hiding places for keywords that could boost your SEO! HTML comments don't directly change SEO, but behind the scenes, they can have some beneficial effects.

Interested in this topic? Read on my article to know everything.

What to remember

In web writing, HTML tags for SEO represent the invisible foundations of web pages. They allow you to structure content, optimize organic search engine ranking, and improve the user experience (UX). The art of markup is a valuable skill for creating high-quality web content that will appeal to both readers and search engine crawlers.

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Mélanie Robin