Technical Definition
Hreflang is an HTML attribute that specifies language and regional targeting for pages. Syntax: . Essential for international SEO with multiple language versions. Must include self-referencing tags and be reciprocal (all versions link to all others). Can be implemented in HTML head, HTTP headers, or XML sitemaps. x-default indicates the fallback version.
Simple Explanation (ELI13)
Hreflang tags tell Google which language and country version of a page to show different searchers. If you have English and Spanish versions of a page, hreflang tells Google 'show this one to US searchers, this one to Mexican searchers.' Without it, Google might show the wrong version or think you have duplicate content.
Related Terms
International SEO, Language Targeting, Geo-Targeting, Canonical
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Claude Vincent is a technical SEO consultant focused on crawlability, rendering, and AI-search visibility. He writes the field guides and case studies at SEO ProCheck, with a bias toward the durable, unglamorous work that decides whether search engines and AI answer engines can actually read and cite a site.
About SEO ProCheck
Technical SEO consulting and GEO strategy with 20 years of enterprise experience. Case studies, resources, and tools for search and AI visibility.
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Technical SEO audits, GEO strategy, site migrations, and international SEO. Hourly consulting for teams who need hands-on support, not just reports.
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