How to Implement X-Default Hreflang Tag – SEO Optimization Guide

How to Implement X-Default Hreflang Tag – SEO Optimization Guide
  • What is X-Default Attribute?

The x-default hreflang attribute value signals to Google’s algorithms that a certain page doesn’t target any specific language or locale and is the default page when no other page is better suited. In this SEO guide, you will get to know how to implement X Default optimization for your campaign.

x default optimization

Use the X-default Tag for Unmatched Languages

The reserved value hreflang=”x-default” comes into play when no other language/region matches the user’s browser setting. This value is optional, but recommended, as a way for you to control the page when no languages match.

Recommendation

 A good use is to target your site’s homepage if there is a clickable map that enables the user to select their country.

X Default Optimization Suggestion

https://thatware.co/: The homepage shows users the default page for users worldwide. Hence the code should be implemented in the <head> section as follows:

<link rel=”alternate” href=”https://thatware.co//” hreflang=”x-default” />

👉How Does a hreflang Tag Look Like?

<link rel=”alternate” hreflang=”x” href=”https://example.com/alternate-page” />

The breakdown of each elements here as follows:

  1. link rel=“alternate”: The link mentioned in this tag is an alternate version of this page.
  2. hreflang=“x”: It’s alternate because it’s in a different language, and that language is x.
  3. href=“https://example.com/alternate-page”: The alternate page found at this URL

👉How to Develop A Hreflang Tag

In general, developing a hreflang tag is as easy as looking up the code for your chosen language and just filling in the tag. 

Example of an Ahrefs Blog Goes Here:

Changing English version of a blog to German version:

<link rel="alternate" hreflang="de" href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/de/kostenlose-keyword-recherche-tools/" />

⭐️How to Specify Hreflang Attribute for Default Home Page of Multilingual Websites (International SEO)

Basically, the x default hreflang attribute specifies both Google and Yandex search engines this page does not target any specific language and can be used as a default page. For example, if a website serves users on 3 different locations specifically like USA, UK and AU, then the webmasters will use the rel-alternate-hreflang as given below:-

<link rel=”alternate” href=”http://example.com/en-gb” hreflang=”en-gb” />
<link rel=”alternate” href=”http://example.com/en-us” hreflang=”en-us” />
<link rel=”alternate” href=”http://example.com/en-au” hreflang=”en-au” />
<link rel=”alternate” href=”http://example.com/” hreflang=”x-default” />