The hreflang attribute for a multilingual store
LightSEO · Technical SEO
The hreflang attribute for a multilingual store
If you have two language versions, the search engine has to recognize them as translations of one another instead of duplicates. That is exactly what hreflang is for.
1
set of reciprocal links
Why
What hreflang solves
Explains how the versions relate. The Ukrainian and Russian pages of the same product are alternatives for different users and do not count as duplicates.
Shows the right version. A user with the matching settings sees their language right in the search results.
Prevents cannibalization. Without it, the versions can compete with each other for the same queries.
Rules
How to set it up
🔁
Reciprocity
If A links to B, then B must link to A. One-way links are ignored.
🔗
Self-reference
Every page also points to itself – this is mandatory.
🌐
Correct codes
Language and region are specified with standard codes. An error in a code = the markup does not work.
Mistakes
What breaks it
Links to non-existent pages. If a particular product has no translation, do not link to one.
Conflicting canonical and hreflang. The signals contradict each other, and the search engine makes its own choice.
It does not replace translation. Hreflang will not save auto-translated or empty text in the second language.
Building a multilingual store?
We will set up the language versions correctly: hreflang, canonical, URL structure and separate meta tags.
