What Is a Hreflang Tag?
A Hreflang tag is an HTML attribute or HTTP header that tells search engines which language and regional version of a webpage is intended for a particular audience. The tag connects equivalent pages across language or country variations. It helps search engines present the suitable version to searchers without treating translated pages as duplicate content.
Quick Facts About Hreflang tag
Category
Technical SEO element.
Used for
Language and regional page targeting.
Common confusion
It does not translate a webpage.
Also called
Hreflang attribute, rel="alternate" hreflang
Often discussed with
Technical SEO For Law Firms, Law Firm SEO Audits
Key Takeaways About Hreflang tag
- Hreflang identifies language and regional page audiences.
- Every language version needs matching, accurate references.
- Hreflang does not translate page content or redirect visitors.
How Hreflang tag Works
A Hreflang tag links a webpage to an equivalent version written for a different language or region. Each related page references the other versions, and each reference identifies a language code or a language-region combination. Search engines can then compare the declared audience with the page content and search context.
Related glossary terms: Canonical tag, Noindex tag, Sitemap.
For example, an English page for Australia may point to an English page for the United Kingdom and a translated Spanish page. The canonical tag still identifies the preferred version of each page, while hreflang describes audience targeting. A sitemap can also carry hreflang references when the site uses that implementation method. Hreflang does not change URLs, translate text, or redirect visitors.
Expert Note
When we audit hreflang, we check that equivalent pages refer to one another and that language-region codes match the intended audience. We also compare the tags with canonical tags, page content, and sitemap entries. Our Technical SEO For Law Firms work treats these signals as one connected set.
Hreflang tag in Practice: A Real-World Example
A Melbourne immigration law firm may publish an English page for Australian searchers and a Spanish version for Spanish-speaking visitors. Hreflang references connect the two pages and identify the audience for each version.
Related Services
Related Terms
Canonical tag
A canonical tag is an HTML instruction that identifies the preferred version of a webpage when…
Noindex tag
A Noindex tag is an instruction in a webpage’s HTML or HTTP response that asks search…
Sitemap
A Sitemap is a structured file or page that lists URLs a website wants search engines…
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