# H3 Formatting Checklist

**Last Updated:** 2026-03-04

## Purpose

This checklist helps identify sections that should use H3 headings instead of bold inline text, preventing formatting issues during content creation and review.

## When to Convert Bold Inline to H3

**Convert bold inline items to H3s when:**

1. **3+ distinct subtopics** under one H2, each with:
   - 2+ sentences of content, OR
   - A list with 3+ items

2. **Common patterns requiring conversion:**
   - **HR-Guidance sections:** "**Meldepflichten:**", "**Gefährdungsbeurteilung:**", "**Kommunikation:**" → H3s
   - **Best Practices sections:** "**Tipp 1:**", "**Tipp 2:**", "**Tipp 3:**" → H3s (if 2+ sentences each)
   - **Checklist sections:** "**Schritt 1:**", "**Schritt 2:**", "**Schritt 3:**" → H3s (if 2+ sentences each)
   - **Sonderfälle sections:** "**Schichtarbeit:**", "**Kurzarbeit:**", "**Kündigung:**" → H3s

3. **TOC value:** Would H3s help readers jump to specific answers? (PAA questions, featured-snippet potential)

## Pre-Writing Checklist

**Before writing each H2 section, check:**

- [ ] Does this section have 3+ bold inline items (e.g., "**Title:** content")?
- [ ] Does each bold inline item have 2+ sentences or a list with 3+ items?
- [ ] Would H3s improve TOC navigation and scannability?
- [ ] Are these distinct subtopics that warrant separate headings?

**If YES to all → Plan H3s in CONTENT_OUTLINE.md**

## During Writing

**When writing content, if you find yourself using:**

```html
<p><strong>Meldepflichten:</strong> Content here...</p>
<p><strong>Gefährdungsbeurteilung:</strong> Content here...</p>
<p><strong>Kommunikation:</strong> Content here...</p>
```

**And there are 3+ such items with substantial content → Convert to:**

```html
<h3>Meldepflichten</h3>
<p>Content here...</p>
<h3>Gefährdungsbeurteilung</h3>
<p>Content here...</p>
<h3>Kommunikation</h3>
<p>Content here...</p>
```

## Post-Writing Review

**Before finalizing content, review:**

- [ ] Are there any H2 sections with 3+ bold inline items that should be H3s?
- [ ] Do any sections have repetitive "**Title:** content" patterns?
- [ ] Would converting bold inline to H3s improve TOC structure?

## Examples

### ✅ GOOD: H3 Structure

```html
<h2>Praktische HR-Guidance</h2>
<p>Intro paragraph...</p>
<h3>Meldepflichten</h3>
<p>Content...</p>
<h3>Gefährdungsbeurteilung</h3>
<p>Content...</p>
<h3>Kommunikation</h3>
<p>Content...</p>
```

### ❌ BAD: Bold Inline (Should be H3s)

```html
<h2>Praktische HR-Guidance</h2>
<p>Intro paragraph...</p>
<p><strong>Meldepflichten:</strong> Content...</p>
<p><strong>Gefährdungsbeurteilung:</strong> Content...</p>
<p><strong>Kommunikation:</strong> Content...</p>
```

## Related Documentation

- [CONTENT_DEPTH_GUIDELINES.md](CONTENT_DEPTH_GUIDELINES.md) - H3 usage criteria
- [CONTENT_OUTLINE.md](posts/_templates/CONTENT_OUTLINE.md) - H3 planning checklist
- [HEADING_HIERARCHY_GUIDE.md](HEADING_HIERARCHY_GUIDE.md) - Semantic HTML best practices