hreflangTags

Hreflang tags are HTML link elements with rel="alternate" and the hreflang attribute that signal the language and optional region of alternate versions of the same page. They help search engines determine which page to serve users based on language and location and reduce duplicate content issues across multilingual or multi-regional sites.

Implementation is usually in the page head, referencing all language variants. For example: <link rel="alternate" href="https://example.com/en-us/" hreflang="en-us" />, <link rel="alternate" href="https://example.com/fr-fr/" hreflang="fr-fr" />, <link rel="alternate" href="https://example.com/" hreflang="x-default" />. Each page should include a self-referencing tag and reciprocal links to the other language pages. In addition, alternate information can be provided in a sitemap using XHTML link entries or the sitemap protocol.

Codes follow ISO language codes and optional region codes, such as en, en-us, fr-fr, es-es. Use accurate codes and ensure the translated pages match the content. Absolute URLs are recommended, and the code should be consistently implemented across all language versions.

Best practices include maintaining a complete set of alternates, avoiding broken links, and keeping content aligned with the language version. Use x-default for a neutral homepage or landing page. Regularly audit with tools like Google Search Console's International Targeting report to identify misconfigurations.

Impact: when correctly configured, hreflang tags help search engines present users with the most appropriate page, improving user experience and click-through rates. They do not guarantee higher rankings and require ongoing maintenance.