Definition
The hreflang tag (rel='alternate' hreflang='xx') is an HTML attribute used to indicate to search engines the different language or regional versions of a page. It allows Google to serve the correct version of the page based on the user's language and location. Hreflang tags must be reciprocal (each page must reference all other versions) and include an x-default value for the default version. They can be implemented in the HTML head, HTTP headers, or XML sitemap.
Key Points
- Indicates the target language and region for each page version
- Tags must be reciprocal between all versions
- Can be implemented in HTML head, HTTP headers, or XML sitemap
Practical Examples
Bilingual FR/EN site
A French site creates hreflang tags on each page pointing to the fr and en versions, plus an x-default to the French version.
Regional targeting
An e-commerce site with different prices for France and Belgium uses hreflang='fr-FR' and hreflang='fr-BE' to target each market.
Frequently Asked Questions
If page A points to page B but B doesn't point back to A, Google will ignore the hreflang. Reciprocity is mandatory for the attribute to be taken into account.
No, Bing does not use hreflang. It uses the meta language tag and content-language. However, hreflang remains essential for Google which dominates the search market.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07