Test hreflang tags across every language version.
Enter a page that has language or country versions. The checker reads its hreflang tags, from the HTML and the HTTP headers, checks every code, then opens up to 12 of the versions they name to confirm each one loads and links back.
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Reads hreflang tags in the page and in its HTTP headers, then opens up to 12 of the versions they name to check each one links back.
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What it checks
Every version, and the links between them
hreflang tells Google which language or country version of a page to show each shopper. Google ignores the tags unless every version points to every other, so the checker reads each version the page names, not just the page itself.
Codes
Language, then country
A two-letter ISO 639-1 language, optionally a hyphen and an ISO 3166-1 country: en, en-GB, fr-CA. It catches en-UK (the code is GB), en_GB with an underscore, and a country with no language.
Return links
Both ways
Each version must list this page, and this page must list itself. A one-way link is the most common reason hreflang does nothing.
Targets
Pages that work
Every version loads without a redirect and names itself as canonical, in its own language.
Fallback
x-default
An x-default version for shoppers whose language matches none of the others, usually your main store.
On your platform
Where the tags come from
Shopify Markets
Written for you
Shopify adds hreflang for each market with its own domain or subfolder, plus an x-default for your main domain. Problems usually come from a theme edit or a translation app adding a second set.
WooCommerce
Your translation plugin
WordPress translation plugins write the tags. Check one page of each language after changing plugin settings or URL structure.
Next
Canonicals agree
Each language version should be its own canonical. Check one with the Canonical Checker.
Questions
About the Hreflang Checker
What is hreflang?
An attribute on a link, rel="alternate" hreflang="fr-FR", that tells Google which language or country version of a page to show each searcher. A store selling in several countries or languages uses it so a French shopper sees the French page.
What does the Hreflang Checker test?
That every code is a valid ISO 639-1 language with an optional ISO 3166-1 country, that the page lists itself, that there is an x-default, that no code points at two addresses, that the addresses are absolute, and that every version it reads loads directly, names itself as canonical and links back to the page.
Why does it say en-UK is wrong?
UK is not an ISO 3166-1 country code, so Google ignores the tag. The code for the United Kingdom is GB, as in en-GB.
What are return links and why do they matter?
If page A lists page B as its French version, page B must list page A too. Google ignores hreflang between two pages that do not both point to each other, which makes missing return links the most common reason hreflang does nothing.
Do I need x-default?
It is recommended. x-default names the page for searchers whose language matches none of your versions, usually your main store or a country selector.
Does it read hreflang in my sitemap?
No. It reads the tags in the page and in its HTTP headers, the two methods a page itself carries. Google treats sitemap hreflang the same way, so if your platform lists versions only in the sitemap, check them there.
Does Shopify add hreflang tags?
Yes. With Shopify Markets, each market that has its own domain or subfolder gets hreflang tags automatically, plus an x-default for the main domain. Problems usually come from a theme edit or a translation app adding a second set.
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