Can hreflang tags target regions without separate languages?

Yes. A hreflang implementation can distinguish regional versions that share a language, such as Australian English and New Zealand English, when the pages serve different audiences.

Where can a hreflang tag be added?

A hreflang reference can appear in page HTML, HTTP response headers, or an XML sitemap. The chosen method should suit the site structure and publishing system.

Does hreflang work on pages with different content?

Hreflang is intended for equivalent pages that serve the same purpose for different audiences. Pages with unrelated content should not be linked as alternate regional versions.

Glossary

What Is a Hreflang Tag?

A hreflang tag is an HTML link attribute that tells search engines which language and regional version of a page is intended for a particular audience. The attribute connects equivalent pages, such as English pages for Australia and the United Kingdom, so search engines can select the most suitable version in search results.

Quick Facts About Hreflang tag

Key Takeaways About Hreflang tag

Hreflang identifies language and regional audience targeting.
Each regional version should reference the relevant alternate pages.
Hreflang does not replace canonical tags or translations.

How Hreflang tag Works

Two people point at a notepad about hreflang tags beside a laptop, papers, and office tools on a wooden desk

A hreflang tag appears in a page's HTML head, HTTP headers, or XML sitemap. The tag names a language and, where needed, a regional code, then points search engines to the matching URL. A page can identify versions for Australian English, British English, or another intended market.

Related glossary terms: Canonical tag, Duplicate content.

Search engines compare these references with the pages that return them. Consistent reciprocal references help search engines understand which URLs serve the same content for different audiences. Canonical tags still indicate the preferred URL within a set of similar pages, while hreflang handles audience targeting. Hreflang does not translate content or guarantee a particular ranking.

A person points a stylus at code on a desktop monitor beside a keyboard on a wooden desk

Expert Note

When we review hreflang, we check that every regional URL is accessible, uses the intended language and region code, and references its matching alternatives. We also compare the HTML, sitemap, or HTTP implementation with canonical signals, because conflicting instructions can make the intended audience unclear.

Hreflang tag in Practice: A Real-World Example

A Sydney law firm may publish an English page for Australian readers and a separate page for readers in New Zealand. Hreflang references connect the equivalent pages and identify the intended regional audience for each URL.