How to Fix Hreflang Tag Errors with Google Search Console?

In this article, we are going to learn about how we can find the issues or the errors that are currently present on your website or websites or blog pages with the use of google search console legacy tools and reports.

What is Hreflang Tag?

The Hreflang tag is an HTML attribute used to specify the language and geographical targeting of a webpage. This is not a mandatory tag for a web page but if you are running a multi-language website then this attribute is best suitable for targeting a specific location. Look for the below examples for more.

Here is the scenario of Hreflang tags of various versions:

## hreflang meta tag for English Speakers (American English) in the United States

<link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”en-us” href=”http://www.example.com/us/” />

## hreflang meta tag for English Speakers (British English) in the United Kingdom

<link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”en-uk” href=”http://www.example.com/uk/” />

## hreflang meta tag for English Speakers in the Canada

<link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”en-ca” href=”http://www.example.com/ca/” />

## hreflang meta tag for English Speakers (Indian English) in the India

<link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”en-in” href=”http://www.example.com/in/” />

Explanation: The mentioned hreflang tags would appear on the four pages and this would ensure that

• Americans searching on google.com or google.us would find the page targeting us version web page.
• United Kingdom users searching on google.com or google.co.uk would find the page targeting the UK version page.
• Canadians searching on google.ca or on google.com would find the page targeting Canada version web page.
• Similarly, Indians searching on google.com or google.co.in would find the page targeting Indian users with the India version page.

Find Hreflang Errors on your Web Pages

Follow the below steps to find hreflang errors on your website or multiple websites or blogs with Google Search Console Tool:

Step 1: First of all your website or blog property should be added to Google Search Console. If not added already then complete this first to proceed. If it is already added then follow the below next step 2.

Step 2: Now, select your site property and navigate to Legacy Tools and Reports and then select International Targeting

Step 3: A new open page after clicking on International Targeting. Here you can find the hreflang errors! This will help to analyze and troubleshoot the errors.

Bonus Step: You can also even target users from the Search Console tool itself from the Country section tab. This feature helps to target one set of country audiences for your Website or blog.

Example: Enable the target and select your preferred target location from the list and click on the save button to make the changes right away.

Here I have enabled the preferred target location “India” from the list and saved the changes by clicking on the save button. Once saved you will get a pop notification like “Your changes were successfully saved”.

So this is how we can find and resolve hreflang errors with Google Search Console.