Can Invalid HTML Elements in the <head> Affect SEO?
Jaskaran Singh
Silver PE in Search Central Community | Technical SEO Expert | Talks about Advanced SEO Strategies, AI, and Website Optimization
Even small coding mistakes in the <head> section of your webpage can impact how search engines understand and process your content. When search engines encounter errors in this section, they may misinterpret critical metadata, affecting your page’s visibility and performance.
Here’s a clear guide on why the <head> matters, common pitfalls, and how to keep it clean to avoid SEO issues.
The Role of the <head> in SEO
The <head> section is essential for both search engines and browsers, as it provides key metadata that affects indexing, ranking, and how your page appears in search results.
Holds Essential Metadata
The <head> contains information that search engines and browsers rely on to understand your page. Some of the most important elements include:
Guides Search Engine Crawlers
Search engines rely on the <head> to extract key metadata. A properly structured <head> ensures that search engines correctly interpret this information, leading to better indexing and ranking.
However, errors—such as including invalid elements—can disrupt this process, causing search engines to stop reading before reaching important tags.
Google’s Rules for the <head> Section
To avoid issues, only specific elements should appear in the <head>. These include:
Allowed Elements
Elements to Avoid
Including invalid elements in the <head> can break page rendering and disrupt search engine crawlers. Avoid:
What Happens if You Use Invalid Elements?
If an invalid element appears in <head>, Google may stop processing this section entirely. This means essential metadata—such as your title, meta description, and canonical tags—might be ignored, negatively impacting SEO.
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Real-World Example: How a Small Mistake Can Cause SEO Issues
Favicon Loading Errors
Incorrect Code
A common mistake is placing an <img> tag directly inside <head> to load a favicon:
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
<img src="favicon.ico" />
</head>
Since <img> is not allowed in <head>, this error can cause search engines to stop processing the section, potentially ignoring other critical metadata.
Correct Code
Instead of using <img>, specify the favicon with a <link> tag:
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
<link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">
</head>
Impact of a Missing Favicon
How to Keep Your <head> Clean and SEO-Friendly
A properly formatted <head> is essential for both search engines and users. Follow these best practices:
Use an HTML Validator
Regularly check your code with tools like:
Follow a Logical Structure
Ensure that critical metadata appears at the top of your <head>:
<head>
<title>Optimized Page Title</title>
<meta name="description" content="A compelling page description.">
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<link rel="icon" href="favicon.ico">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
<script src="script.js" defer></script>
</head>
Regularly Review Your Code
Conclusion: Small Fixes, Big SEO Impact
A clean <head> ensures search engines correctly interpret your metadata, improving indexing and ranking. By avoiding invalid elements and structuring your <head> properly, you can: