This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung →
Questions as headings: the wording people search for
Headings phrased as questions match the wording people actually search with, and give an answer system a clear link between question and answer section. The check verifies whether a page uses headings like this.
- The difference is in the match: people search for "why does my contrast fail", not "contrast analysis". A heading phrased as a question covers both forms, since the terms appear in it anyway.
- The limit is reached when every heading turns into a question. A page made entirely of questions reads like a catalogue and loses its structure. Question form makes sense where a question is actually being answered.
- It also matters that the answer follows immediately. A question as a heading whose answer only comes three paragraphs later is misleading.
FAQ
Should all headings be questions?
No. Question form is worth it where a question is being answered. For structural sections, a descriptive heading is clearer.
How do I phrase a question heading?
The way a customer would actually ask it — not in the company's technical jargon. The best source for this is real questions from support and sales.