What is Hreflang and why does it matter?
Have you ever visited a website and noticed that it automatically shows content in your language or offers prices in your local currency? That's often thanks to something called "hreflang." But what is it, and why should you care? Let's break it down in simple terms.
What is Hreflang?
Hreflang is like a label you put on your website to tell search engines, like Google, which version of a page to show to people based on their language or location. For example, if you have a website with content in English and Spanish, hreflang helps Google know when to show the English version and when to show the Spanish version.
Why is Hreflang Important?
Hreflang is important because it helps avoid confusion and makes sure people see the right version of your website. Imagine you have two pages with similar content—one for the UK and one for the US. Without hreflang, Google might not know which one to show. Hreflang tells Google, "Hey, this page is for UK visitors, and that one is for US visitors."
Best Practices for Using Hreflang
Self-Referencing Tags: Each page should mention itself and all other versions. This helps keep everything organised.
Correct Codes: Use the right codes for languages and regions. For example, "en-gb" for British English and "en-us" for American English.
Fallback Page: Use an "x-default" tag for a general page that everyone can see if their language isn't specifically targeted.
How Does It Help Your Website?
Using hreflang can improve your website's performance by making sure people see the right content. This can lead to a better experience for visitors, which can help your site show up more often in search results. In short, hreflang helps make your website more user-friendly and easier to find for people all around the world.
hreflang is a simple way to make sure the right people see the right content on your website. It's a small detail that can make a big difference in how well your site works for a global audience.
Still not sure? We’re here to help! Contact us to see if we can help you understand your website performance, and what you can do to succeed.
