How to Fix Jetpack Search’s Double H1 SEO Issue in WordPress

How to Fix Jetpack Search’s Double H1 SEO Issue in WordPress

Jetpack Search enhances WordPress search functionality but introduces a frustrating SEO issue—injecting extra <h1> and <h2> tags into your search results pages. If left unaddressed, these disrupt your site’s heading hierarchy and can damage your search rankings. Below, we walk you through the temporary fix we use at RIOT to preserve structure and keep your SEO performance sharp.

Each page on your site should only have one <h1> — the primary headline. When Jetpack Search adds another one near the bottom (along with rogue <h2> tags), it throws off the hierarchy. This confuses search engines and can reduce your content’s perceived relevance.

Step-by-Step Fix: Replacing Rogue Jetpack Headings

Step 1: Download and Install FileZilla

• Grab FileZilla — it’s a free FTP/SFTP client.
• Connect to your server using your FTP/SFTP credentials.

Step 2: Locate and Download Jetpack Search Plugin Files

• Navigate to:
  /wp-content/plugins/jetpack-search/
• Download the entire jetpack-search directory to your local machine.

Step 3: Edit JavaScript Files to Fix Headings

• Open this file in Dreamweaver or your favorite code editor:
  /jetpack-search/jetpack_vendor/automattic/jetpack-search/build/instant-search/jp-search.chunk-main-payload.js
• Find all instances of "h1" and replace them with "h5".
• Then replace all instances of "h2" with "h6".
• Save the file.

• Next, open:
  /jetpack-search/jetpack_vendor/automattic/jetpack-search/build/custom-berg/jp-search.configure.js
• Make the same replacements:
  • "h1" → "h5"
  • "h2" → "h6"
• Save the file after editing.

Step 4: Edit PHP Configuration File

• Open the following PHP file:
  /jetpack-search/jetpack_vendor/automattic/jetpack-search/src/instant-search/class-instant-search.php
• Search for all instances of h2 (no quotes) and replace each with h6.
• Save the file.

Step 5: Upload the Modified Files

• Using FileZilla, upload your edited files back into their respective locations on the server, overwriting the originals.

Step 6: Clear Your Website Cache

• Clear your site’s cache — especially if you’re using a caching plugin like NitroPack or server-level caching.
• Reload your Jetpack-powered search results page and inspect the headings. You should now see h5 and h6 instead of any rogue h1 or h2 tags.

Important Note: Jetpack Plugin Updates Will Undo This

This fix isn’t permanent — if you update Jetpack, these files will be overwritten. So you’ll need to reapply the fix after each plugin update until Automattic provides a long-term solution.

Final Thoughts from RIOT

By fixing the heading structure, you preserve your SEO integrity and ensure that search engines clearly understand the hierarchy of your site content. This is especially important for brands like ours at RIOT, where precision, performance, and polish matter just as much as creative flair.

Need help with SEO or dev work? Our team at RIOT lives at the intersection of code, design, and search visibility. Hit us up.