5. Header must be consistent site-wide
- Same header on every page
- No changing nav per post
- No hidden links
Google hates inconsistent headers → looks manipulative.
6. Above-the-fold trust signal (optional but smart)
Small text near header or under nav:
Examples:
- “Independent educational blog”
- “Unbiased reviews & research-based guides”
- “Reader-supported, independent analysis”
Do NOT mention:
- affiliate
- commissions
- earnings
That goes in the footer.
7. Header height (UX + SEO)
- Keep it short
- No hero images in header
- No banners
If users have to scroll just to see content → bounce rate ↑.
8. Mobile header (non-negotiable)
On mobile:
- Hamburger menu
- Logo visible
- No sticky CTA buttons
- No popups triggered from header
Mobile UX affects rankings directly.