Definition
Hreflang is an HTML attribute that specifies language and regional targeting for webpages, helping search engines display the appropriate version based on user language and location. Adding hreflang tags to the HTML link element or HTTP header improves the user experience by directing them to the right content based on language and locale.
How You Can Use Hreflang
Example
Consider an e-commerce website that sells products internationally with different versions of its site for various languages and regions. The site has separate pages for English speakers in the US and the UK, as well as a Spanish version for users in Spain. To ensure that users are directed to the correct version, the webmaster would implement hreflang tags as follows:
- US English Page (
example.com/en-us/):htmlCopy code<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-us" href="https://www.example.com/en-us/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-gb" href="https://www.example.com/en-gb/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es-es" href="https://www.example.com/es-es/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://www.example.com/" /> - UK English Page (
example.com/en-gb/):htmlCopy code<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-us" href="https://www.example.com/en-us/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-gb" href="https://www.example.com/en-gb/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es-es" href="https://www.example.com/es-es/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://www.example.com/" /> - Spanish Page (
example.com/es-es/):htmlCopy code<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-us" href="https://www.example.com/en-us/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en-gb" href="https://www.example.com/en-gb/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es-es" href="https://www.example.com/es-es/" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="x-default" href="https://www.example.com/" />
Formulas and Calculations
While hreflang itself does not involve calculations, it requires careful implementation to avoid errors. Here’s a simplified formula to ensure correct hreflang usage:
- Identify Language and Region Codes: Use ISO 639-1 for language codes (e.g., “en” for English, “es” for Spanish) and ISO 3166-1 Alpha 2 for region codes (e.g., “US” for the United States, “GB” for the United Kingdom).
- Create Hreflang Tags for Each Page Version: For each version of your page, create hreflang tags pointing to all other language and regional versions.
- Include a Default Hreflang Tag: Use
hreflang="x-default"for a default version of the page to serve users who do not match any specified language or region.
Key Takeaways for Hreflang
- Improved User Experience: Hreflang tags ensure users are directed to the appropriate language and regional version of your content.
- SEO Benefits: Proper implementation helps prevent duplicate contentDefinition Duplicate content in the SEO space refers to iden... issues and improves search engine indexingDefinition Indexing in content marketing involves search eng... for international content.
- Correct Syntax: Use correct ISO codes for language and region to avoid implementation errors.
- Consistency Across Pages: Ensure hreflang tags are consistent and correctly referenceDefinition References in email marketing campaigns, like cus... all language versions across all pages.
- Use x-default: Always include an
x-defaulthreflang tag to specify a fallbackDefinition A Fallback in the SEO space refers to a backup op... version of the page.
FAQs
What is Hreflang?
Hreflang is an HTML attribute that specifies the language and regional targeting for a webpage.
Why is Hreflang important?
It helps search engines show the correct language or regional version of a webpage to users, improving user experience and SEO.
How do I implement Hreflang tags?
Add the hreflang attribute to the link elements in the head section of your HTML or include them in the HTTP headersDefinition What are headers in e-mail marketing? Headers in ....
What codes do I use for Hreflang?
Use ISO 639-1 codes for languages and ISO 3166-1 Alpha 2 codes for regions.
What is the x-default Hreflang tag?
The x-default tag specifies a default version of the page to serve users who do not match any other specified language or region.
Can Hreflang tags help with duplicate content?
Yes, hreflang tags help search engines understand that different versions of a page are intended for different audiences, reducing duplicate contentDefinition Duplicate content in the SEO space refers to iden... issues.
What happens if I make a mistake in my Hreflang tags?
Incorrect hreflang implementation can leadDefinition A Lead in the context of SEO refers to a potentia... to indexingDefinition Indexing in content marketing involves search eng... issues and incorrect regional targeting, negatively impacting SEO.
How can I check my Hreflang implementation?
Use tools like Google Search ConsoleDefinition Google Search Console is a free web service from ... or third-party SEO tools to validate and troubleshoot your hreflang tags.
Do Hreflang tags affect page ranking?
While hreflang tags themselves do not directly affect rankings, they help ensure the correct version of a page is shown to the right audienceDefinition The term "Audience" refers to the group of indivi..., which can improve overall SEO performance.
Should I use Hreflang for different dialects of the same language?
Yes, if you have significant differences in content or targeting between dialects, using hreflang can help ensure users see the most relevant version.
