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
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.
Found this issue on your site?
Run a scan to see if Long Articles Missing a Table of Contents affects your pages.
Scan my website →