

In every web application, website or project, when you open a code editor, it all starts with the definition of the language used for your page which is very important for good SEO results. You are probably familiar already with a `<lang>` attribute in HTML but let me explain it to distinguish two similar (at first sight) terms. Lang determines the linguistic content of the page and the content recipient country (this one is optional). At the same time it is making it easier for crawlers to assign a page to a particular language version. But what is hreflang, and how to use it?

## What is hreflang and how it is used?

Hreflang is a tag in HTML `<link>` attribute used to **define content language** and **localization** with a specific language 
indicator in the URL. 
It may also be used to indicate a specific region, not only country. Hreflang indicates to crawlers that the 
page has different language versions, depending on the used language code. 

There are three places where you can use hreflang in your code. The most popular one is hreflang tag used in **`<link>`
attribute in `<head>` section** of the page. Have a look at the example below.

```html
<head>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”en” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/"/>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”es” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/es-ES/"/>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”es” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/es-CL/"/>
</head>
```

![hreflang and google search](/blog/hreflang-google-search.jpg)

In the example we determined language versions on our website. The first part of the tag is a **language code**, and the 
second part represents a **region code** (both must conform to [ISO 639-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ISO_639-1_codes) 
and [ISO 3166-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1) Alpha 2 format). The main language 
is English, but we translated the website also to Spanish in two versions: Castilian for European use and localized 
for Chile. It works the same way for subpages, we add links referring to specific language:

```html
<head>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”en” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/contact"/>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”es” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/es-ES/contacto"/>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”es” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/es-CL/contacto"/>
</head>
```

It's crucial to put the links of all language versions in each webpage. This way crawlers can read and display the 
correct language version for the user. Any error in implementing hreflang tags will make Google ignore them completely. 
Make sure they are added correctly on all webpages to provide localized content for your audience.

Hreflangs should be added in the `<head>` of the page before scripts that could cause the section to close prematurely, 
before crawlers can read them.

![computer macbook](/blog/computer.jpg)


## Why is hreflang important?

When optimizing and then positioning a website in Google, using hreflangs will be one of the ranking factors that will 
add points to the website. The tag provides crawlers with a linkage between different language versions of the same page. 
In other words, hreflang tags are treated by Google as a ranking signal. They **improve SEO** by showing the right 
language version to specified language users. 

Another but not less important fact is that using hreflangs you **do not duplicate the content**. 
Instead of creating multiple, different pages with separate domains for each language version, you create one 
website or application and indicate the right version to crawlers. 

![SEO and hreflang](/blog/seo.jpg)

## FAQ about hreflangs usage

### Should I use hreflang in one language app/website?

No, if your website is designed for one country/area audience, then you don't need to use hreflangs. 
Correct indicators in `<lang>` attribute will do their job in this case.

### How it works when my domain is not generic but region specific, for example .it or .me?

In such cases it's good to use hreflangs if you target to another language audience. .it ending is country specific, 
so crawlers will be positioning your content as Italian. To improve that, ad hreflangs to correct language 
versions or indicate that the language is, for example, English.

![dogs has a question](/blog/question-dog.jpg)

### What are rel="alternate" and rel=”canonical”? Are those required while using hreflangs?

Rel=alternate indicates to search engines that there is another URL with the same content but in a different form, 
like language or mobile version. It points that there in an alternative page for a given URL.

Rel=canonical indicates to crawlers that that given URL is a master copy of a page, its most 
representative version. It should be used when you have many pages with similar content, like in the case of e-commerce stores.

Both tags are essential for hreflang correct usage and they are required for the correct page optimization. 
Note that the hreflang attribute and the canonical URL must match and both need to be defined. 
For example, we have a website in English which is also available in Spanish Castilian and regional for Chile. 
In this case, the default fallback will be the English home page.

```html
<head>
    <link rel=”canonical” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/"/>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”es” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/es-ES/"/>
    <link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”es” href=”http://simplelocalize.com/es-CL/"/>
</head>
```

### What x-default value in hreflang tag does?

X-default value is used for unmatched languages, in case some languages are not translated. 
It is optional, but recommended by Google, to control the page when no language versions match. 
Using X-default you define a fallback page in such cases. It's a good practice to 
always set x-default value if using hreflangs.

Hrefalngs help you with localization of your website so it's designed and adjusted to the 
specific language group of users. Adjusting the content of your pages to a specific audience, 
help you improve customer satisfaction, increase customer base and improve your SEO. Check how you can start 
with localization of your website with SimpleLocalize, start with a free access right now!


What is 'hreflang' and how to use it

## Localization in mobile/web applications
The most important thing in any software translation process is localization. While introducing your mobile or web app or any other product to another market, it’s important to adjust it for the particular location. 
Localization is the process of targeting your product for a specific group of users, defined by their location. In other words, the product or service you provide will be more suitable for a particular country or area thanks to the localization.

![simplelocalize localization](/blog/localization-1.jpg)

## Why should I focus on localization?
Localization significantly improves user experience by making texts in your app more readable and understandable for a particular group of users. They can react with the product more naturally, in the environment they know and feel good with, which brings only good results for your product. More languages you offer in your product, more users and customers you can attend.
Translation, with localization included, brings many more benefits to the final product than with a simple translation of the text. Moreover, localization gives your product a soul, like it's designed specifically for a group of users in a specific location. 
Localization is in opposition to one universal product designed for everyone. It refines and adapts content for local needs, which makes the product more suitable for specific recipients. As a result, you can create a unique relationship between your product or company and the person who is using it.

![simplelocalize i18n extraction cli](/blog/extraction-cli.jpg)

## How localization works?
Localization is based on adapting the content to the product recipient. It means that instead of using simple translation, you need to search deeper, understand the language culture of your users. It's important to notice, that a word in English translated to another language, may have more than one meaning and very often it can't be translated literally. Therefore, it's crucial to understand different cultures and language differences to localize the product successfully, so it’s as familiar as possible for the users. 
Another example is symbols which may have different meaning in different languages and cultures. Furthermore, there are multiple variations of languages. As an example, Spanish is different in Madrid, in Malaga and in Buenos Aires or Bogotá. Words in the same language may have entirely different meaning used in different parts of the world. That's why the localization is important - you want users to react positively to your product, accordingly to the way you designed it to be.

## Why localization is important?
* Improves customer satisfaction. Localization shows to your customers that they are important for you, and you take care of them by providing with the product that’s adjusted for their culture, customs, and needs.
* Helps increase customers base and expand your business.
* Improves your SEO.

![simplelocalize key value translation](/blog/key-value-banner.jpg)


## Should I use localization tools?
There are multiple tools on the Internet that will help you automatize the process of localization. See below how exactly they work:
* They help you automatize the process of translation and localization and deliver product faster for specific locations
* You can control the whole translation and localization progress in one app
* Changes can be deployed with one click, so they are updated immediately
* You can easily track all changes in translations and see previous versions
* They give you an option to translate for multiple languages
* Easy interface helps translators to focus more on the localization
* You can work with your team on multiple projects at the same time, online
* They optimize your workflow
* and much more!

![simplelocalize extract i18n](/blog/advert-banner.jpg)

Get your free trial account on SimpleLocalize to check all the features and test it on your product!



Translation Hosting

SimpleLocalize CLI

REST API

Auto-translation

Alternative translations

Seo

What is 'hreflang' and how to use it

Start with software project localization