Subheadings and subsubheadings

Subheadings

In raisingchildren.net.au article body copy, subheadings are the red, bolded headings with a full paragraph break underneath. In other words, they're the highest order of conceptual organisation in articles.

Subheadings are a key device for breaking up text into digestible chunks and making it easy for users to scan.

Subheadings also have an important role in influencing search results, so at least some subheadings in an article must contain the article's targeted SEO keywords.

It's best to frontload subheadings with either SEO keywords or the main topic covered in the copy below the subheading. This is because web users typically read in an F-shaped pattern, so they're more likely to identify the section topic – and its relevance to their needs – if it's at the front of the subheading.

Subsubheadings

In raisingchildren.net.au body copy, subsubheadings are the bolded headings with only a line break underneath. They represent a lower order of conceptual organisation in articles.

Subsubheadings sit underneath subheadings and are typically used for breaking up content within sections in articles. As such, they help to break up text and improve scannability.

CHARGE syndrome is an example of how you can use subsubheadings to break up lists of symptoms. 

Sibling fighting: pre-teens and teenagers shows how you can use subsubheadings to break up content into subcategories.

See also the Baby carriers, slings and backpacks: safety guide as another example of subsubheadings used to aid scannability.

Subsubheadings in tip-style articles

We sometimes present our content in tip-style articles. In these articles, use subsubheadings to present the the main tip, with explanatory information below. For example:

1. Put babies to sleep on their backs
This is the safest position for healthy babies. Babies are more likely to die of SUDI (including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents) if they sleep on their sides or tummies. Once your baby can roll over (at around 4-6 months), keep putting him to sleep on his back, but let him find his own sleeping position.

1. Set aside regular times to eat together
When you put these times in your weekly schedule, you’re all more likely to be there. Having your meal at a table, with the television and phones turned off, can make this time even more special. 

3. Keep regular sleep and wake times
Keep your child’s bedtimes and wake-up times within 1-2 hours of each other each day. This helps to keep your child’s body clock in a regular pattern. It’s a good idea for weekends and holidays, as well as school days. 

Things to note

Present the tip as a call to action or thing to do, rather than as an idea or concept:

Write this: Behave the way you want your child to behave.

Not this: Children do as you do.

The tip should be bolded and numbered.

The tip takes no full stop (because it's a heading).

Examples

Making a great start to parenthood: tips for non-birthing parents

Safe sleeping: 10 tips