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Long Articles Missing a Table of Contents

Long articles lack a table of contents with anchor links for section navigation and enhanced SERP features.

By Seoxpert Editorial · Published

Why it matters

A table of contents (TOC) helps users quickly navigate long-form content and improves user experience. Google may display 'Jump to' sitelinks in search results if anchor links are present, increasing your visibility and click-through rates.

Impact

Without a TOC, users may struggle to find relevant sections and your articles may miss out on extra SERP features.

How it's detected

The issue is detected when articles over 1,500 words with 4 or more sections lack in-page anchor links near the top.

Common causes

  • •Authors overlook adding a TOC for long articles.
  • •CMS or theme does not generate TOCs by default.
  • •Lack of anchor IDs on section headings (H2/H3).
  • •Manual TOC omitted during content creation.

How to fix it

Insert a table of contents near the top of each long article. For each major section, add an anchor ID to the heading (e.g., <h2 id='features'>Features</h2>). In the TOC, link to these sections using anchor links (e.g., <a href='#features'>Features</a>). Many CMS plugins can automate this process.

Code examples

Before: No TOC or anchor links

<h2>Features</h2>
<h2>Pricing</h2>
<h2>FAQ</h2>

After: TOC with anchor links and section IDs

<nav>
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#features">Features</a></li>
    <li><a href="#pricing">Pricing</a></li>
    <li><a href="#faq">FAQ</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

<h2 id="features">Features</h2>
<h2 id="pricing">Pricing</h2>
<h2 id="faq">FAQ</h2>

FAQ

Why does my article need a table of contents for SEO?

A TOC with anchor links can trigger 'Jump to' sitelinks in Google, improving visibility and user navigation.

How do I add anchor links to my headings?

Add an id attribute to each section heading (e.g., <h2 id='section-name'>Section</h2>) and link to it in your TOC.

Can I automate TOC creation in WordPress?

Yes, plugins like Yoast, RankMath, and Elementor can automatically generate a TOC with anchor links.

Does every article need a TOC?

A TOC is recommended for long articles (1,500+ words, 4+ sections) to aid navigation and SEO.

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