What Hreflang Communicates
Hreflang annotations help search engines understand that multiple URLs are alternate versions intended for different languages or regions. They are useful when equivalent content is available for distinct audiences.
Use Valid Language and Region Codes
Review whether the detected annotations use the appropriate language code and, when needed, a supported language-region combination. Do not use country codes alone as though they were languages.
Alternate Pages Should Reference Each Other
Hreflang implementations work best when equivalent pages provide reciprocal annotations. If page A declares page B as an alternate, page B should normally include the corresponding reference back to page A.
When x-default Is Useful
x-default can identify a fallback or selector page for users who do not match another declared language or region. Add it only when that URL genuinely serves that purpose.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does hreflang tell search engines?
hreflang identifies alternate versions of a page intended for different languages or language-region audiences. It helps search engines select an appropriate version for users.
Do alternate pages need to reference each other?
For a robust implementation, alternate URLs should generally provide reciprocal hreflang references and include themselves in the set. Keep the URLs indexable and canonicalized consistently.
When should I use x-default?
x-default can identify a fallback page when no specific language or region version is the best match, such as a language selector or a broadly targeted default page.
Do hreflang pages need to reference each other?
International alternates should normally form a consistent reciprocal set so each page identifies the other applicable language or regional versions.
When should I use x-default?
x-default can identify a fallback page for users whose language or region does not match a specific hreflang entry, such as a language selector or global default page.
Continue Your SEO Workflow
Check international reach and regional website signals using Website Browser by Country, Website Availability Test, Global Website Speed & Ping Test and DNS Lookup Checker. Each check covers a different aspect of your website, so compare the evidence before making changes.
