What Is a Hreflang Tag?
Hreflang tag is an HTML or HTTP signal that tells search engines which language and regional version of a page is intended for a particular audience. It connects equivalent URLs across language or country variants, helping search engines present the most suitable version without treating those pages as accidental duplicates.
Quick Facts About Hreflang tag
Category
Technical SEO signal
Used for
Language and regional URL targeting
Common confusion
It does not translate page content
Also called
Hreflang attribute, rel="alternate" hreflang
Often discussed with
Technical SEO
Key Takeaways About Hreflang tag
- Hreflang signals audience language and region, not page ranking strength.
- Each regional version should identify the other relevant versions.
- Hreflang does not replace canonical tags or redirects.
How Hreflang tag Works
A hreflang tag links a page to alternative URLs for different languages or regions. Search engines read the language and regional code, then match the page with the audience setting that best fits the searcher. The signal can appear in page HTML, HTTP headers, or an XML sitemap.
Related glossary terms: Canonical URL, Indexing, Sitemap.
Each related URL should identify its language or regional alternatives, including a return reference where appropriate. An English page for Australia may point to an English page for the United Kingdom and a French page for France. A canonical URL still identifies the preferred version of similar content, while hreflang describes the intended audience.
Expert Note
When we review hreflang, we map each language and regional URL against the site’s actual page relationships. Our team checks the codes, reciprocal references, canonical signals, and sitemap entries so search engines receive consistent instructions across the site.
Hreflang tag in Practice: A Real-World Example
A Sydney dental practice may publish an English page for Australian patients and a French version for French-speaking visitors. Hreflang tags connect the equivalent pages and identify the audience for each URL.
Related Services
Related Terms
Canonical URL
Canonical URL is the preferred address for a webpage when similar or duplicate versions exist. A…
Indexing
Indexing is the process search engines use to store and organise information about a web page…
Sitemap
Sitemap is a file that lists the important URLs on a website and gives search engines…
Redirect
A redirect is a server instruction that sends users and search engines from one URL to…
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