1 min read
Hreflang tags tell search engines which language and regional version of a page to show a given searcher — simple in theory, easy to get wrong in practice.
Implementation rules
- Every page in a set must reference every other page in that set, including itself
- Return tags must match exactly — a broken reciprocal link invalidates the whole set
- Use an x-default tag for a fallback version when no other match applies
Why this matters
Broken hreflang is one of the most common silent SEO failures on international sites — see international SEO for the strategic view. More in Technical SEO.
Related Reading
Related in Technical SEO:
Supporting reading from related clusters:
Cornerstone guide: Technical SEO