RG-HDG-006 counts how many times your target query pattern appears inside the page’s H5 headings. It returns an occurrence count, not a pass or fail — and because most pages need few or no H5s, a zero here is usually correct rather than a deficit.
| Factor ID | RG-HDG-006 |
|---|---|
| Family | Headings |
| Measurement | Occurrence count |
| Measured zone | H5 text |
What it measures
This factor counts exact-query pattern occurrences in the text of H5 headings. “Exact” here is a flexible pattern rather than strict character-for-character equality: it captures the query as it would naturally appear inside a fifth-level subheading, allowing for small formatting variations. The output is a simple tally across all recognized H5s on the page.
How RankGear measures it
RankGear scans every recognized H5 element and counts case-insensitive matches of the unescaped query pattern, allowing one optional character at each point where the query contains a space. That means a two-word query matches whether the words are separated by a space, a hyphen, or run together, and regardless of letter case. Each qualifying occurrence adds one to the count.
What RankGear looks for
Query: "blue widget"
<h5>Blue Widget Sizing</h5> → matches (counts 1)
<h5>blue-widget care</h5> → matches (optional char at the space)
<h5>Shipping & Returns</h5> → no match
Pattern is case-insensitive; one optional character allowed
where each query space occurs.How to optimize it
Use an exact phrase in an H5 only when it genuinely names a legitimate subsection of the content beneath a deeper heading. Do not add H5s, or force the query into them, to raise this count. Treat the number as an observation about how your subheadings read, not as a target to hit — on most pages the right value is low or zero.
Important considerations
- Most pages need few or no H5s; a low or zero count is normal and not a defect.
- The match pattern is broader than literal text equality — it tolerates case and small separator differences at each query space.
- Repeating the phrase across multiple H5s is not the same as topical depth and adds no substance on its own.
- Maintain a clear, logical heading structure first; let any exact matches be a byproduct of that clarity.
- This is a correlation-based prioritization signal measured within a result set, not a lever that makes a page rank or guarantees any position.
Related factors
Part of the Factors reference · how RankGear measures · glossary.