Rules Google requires
- Every version must list all versions, including itself.
- Links must be reciprocal — if A points to B, B must point to A.
- Use language codes (ISO 639-1) and optional region codes (ISO 3166-1):
en,en-GB,es-MX. “UK” is wrong — use GB. - Add
x-defaultfor a language selector or fallback page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need hreflang for one language?
No, only when you have equivalent pages in several languages or regions.
Tags, header or sitemap?
Any one method is enough; sitemaps are easiest for large sites.
How do I check existing tags?
Use the Hreflang Checker.

