How to implement hreflang for the SEO benefit? If your business caters to multiple languages or regions, you need to make sure visitors land on the right version of your site.
That’s where hreflang comes in—it tells search engines which language and regional page to show based on a user’s location and preferences.
Done right, hreflang helps boost rankings, keeps users from bouncing due to language mismatches, and prevents duplicate content issues.
In short, it’s a must for international SEO. But if all this sounds like a lot to handle, don’t stress—GetFound is here to make it easy for you!
1. Choose the Right Hreflang Implementation Method
There are several ways to implement hreflang attribute, depending on the website’s structure and resources.
The three main methods are:
- HTML Tags
The method is best for individual web pages and is placed in the head section of each page.
- HTTP Headers
This approach is ideal for non-HTML documents like PDFs.
- XML Sitemaps
Such methods work well for large websites with many language versions, making management easier.
Choosing the right method ensures that search engines correctly interpret language and regional variations of the website.
2. Implement Hreflang Using HTML Tags
For websites with multiple language or regional versions, adding hreflang in the head section of each webpage helps search engines identify the appropriate page for users.
Each version of a webpage must reference all other language versions, including itself. Using the correct ISO language and country codes ensures that search engines can properly serve the right content to users in different regions.
For example, if a company has an English version for the United States, another for the United Kingdom, and a French version for France, hreflang tags should indicate the correct relationships between them.
3. Use HTTP Headers for Non-HTML Content
If a website provides downloadable content such as PDFs or other non-HTML files, hreflang can be set using HTTP headers instead of HTML tags.
This helps search engines understand which language version of the document to serve based on the user’s preferences.
This method is particularly useful when managing language versions of resources that do not have an HTML structure.
4. Implement Hreflang in XML Sitemaps
For large websites with many language versions, managing hreflang tags within an XML sitemap is the most efficient approach.
Instead of manually placing hreflang tags in the head section of every page, the XML sitemap contains all the necessary hreflang information in one place.
This method simplifies management and reduces errors while ensuring that search engines can efficiently process language variations of the website.
Also Read: Why Are Natural Links So Important in SEO? Find Out Here!
5. Ensure Self-Referencing Hreflang Tags
A common mistake in how to implement hreflang for the SEO benefit is forgetting self-referencing tags. Each page must include a hreflang annotation pointing to itself.
This helps search engines confirm that each page is part of a multilingual structure, ensuring correct indexing. Without a self-referencing hreflang tag, search engines may ignore hreflang implementation, leading to incorrect page rankings.
6. Use x-default for Non-Specific Language Versions
The x-default hreflang attribute is used when there is no specific language preference. It tells search engines which version to serve when a user’s language is not explicitly defined.
For example, if a website has a language selection page, using x-default ensures that users who do not match any predefined language settings are directed to this page instead of an incorrect version.
This approach enhances the user experience by guiding visitors to choose their preferred language.
7. Check for Errors in Google Search Console
Once hreflang is implemented, testing and validation are essential. Google Search Console provides tools to check for hreflang errors and confirm that search engines are correctly processing the language and regional variations of a website.
Using Google Search Console’s International Targeting report allows website owners to detect issues such as:
- Missing hreflang tags for certain language versions
- Incorrect language or country codes
- Conflicts between canonical tags and hreflang annotations
By regularly monitoring these reports, businesses can ensure that search engines correctly index and rank multilingual pages.
Avoid Common Hreflang Mistakes
Even when following best practices, common hreflang mistakes can negatively impact SEO.
Some of the most frequent errors include:
- Using Incorrect Language or Country Codes
Always refer to official ISO codes to ensure accuracy.
- Conflicting Hreflang and Canonical Tags
Ensure that the canonical version of a page matches its hreflang annotations.
- Forgetting Reciprocal Hreflang Links
Each page must reference all its alternate language versions, including itself.
- Incorrect Hreflang Placement
Hreflang should be implemented consistently across all language versions to avoid ranking issues.
By avoiding these mistakes, websites can maximize the effectiveness of hreflang attribute and improve international search performance.
Use Hreflang Tag Wisely and Trust GetFound to Manage Your SEO Strategy!
How to implement hreflang for the SEO benefit? It’s not as complicated as it sounds—just a matter of getting the details right. First, pick the best method for your site, whether that’s HTML tags, HTTP headers, or XML sitemaps.
Make sure every page references itself with hreflang tags so search engines don’t get confused. Use x-default for pages that aren’t tied to a specific language. And don’t forget to check Google Search Console regularly to catch any hreflang errors before they cause problems.
Oh, and one more thing—avoid common slip-ups like missing reciprocal links or using the wrong language codes. Nail this, and your international SEO game will be stronger than ever, leading to better rankings, a smoother experience for users worldwide, and more conversions.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the technical details? No worries—Call GetFound and we can handle it for you!
