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Hreflang Tag Checker

Validate hreflang tags for language targeting, check for x-default, reciprocal links, and invalid language codes.

Hreflang Tag CheckerGratisOn-Page SEOChecks a live URL

Enter a public URL. We fetch the live page and analyse what search engines and AI crawlers see.

Key features of the hreflang tag checker

  • Extracts all hreflang tags from page HTML and HTTP headers
  • Validates ISO 639-1 language codes and ISO 3166-1 country codes
  • Checks for the required x-default hreflang tag
  • Verifies that referenced pages contain reciprocal return links
  • Identifies duplicate, missing, or self-referencing hreflang tags

How to use the hreflang tag checker

  1. Enter the page URL

    Paste the URL of the multilingual page you want to validate.

  2. Run the check

    Click 'Check Hreflang Tags' to fetch the page and extract all hreflang attributes.

  3. Review tag list

    See all hreflang tags with their language/country codes and target URLs.

  4. Check for errors

    Look for invalid language codes, missing x-default, or broken hreflang URLs.

  5. Verify return links

    Confirm that each referenced alternate page links back to the current page via hreflang.

What is an hreflang tag checker?

The Hreflang Tag Checker validates the hreflang implementation on any webpage. It checks for correct ISO language and country codes, verifies that reciprocal return links exist on the referenced alternate pages, and identifies common implementation errors that prevent Google from correctly serving your content to international audiences.

Hreflang tags tell Google which language and regional version of a page to show to users in different countries. Incorrect implementation is one of the most common international SEO mistakes — if return links are missing or codes are wrong, Google ignores the hreflang tags entirely and may serve the wrong language version to users.

Why use an hreflang tag checker?

International websites without correct hreflang implementation suffer from users being served the wrong language version, duplicate content signals across language versions, and lost opportunities to rank in specific country search results. Proper hreflang is non-negotiable for any site serving multiple languages or regions.

Hreflang tag checker: frequently asked questions

Something else? Ask the team

What is an hreflang tag?

Hreflang is an HTML attribute that tells Google which language and geographic region a page is intended for. It's used to serve the correct language version of a page to users based on their location and language settings.

What is the x-default hreflang tag?

The x-default hreflang tag specifies the fallback page to show when no other hreflang value matches the user's language or region. It's required for complete hreflang implementation.

What are return links in hreflang?

Return links (or reciprocal links) mean that if Page A hreflang-references Page B, then Page B must also have an hreflang tag pointing back to Page A. Without return links, Google ignores the entire hreflang cluster.

Where can hreflang tags be placed?

Hreflang tags can be implemented in three places: the HTML <head> section (most common), the XML sitemap, or the HTTP response header. All three methods are equally valid.

Does hreflang affect rankings?

Hreflang doesn't directly boost rankings but ensures the correct page version ranks in the right country. Without it, you may rank your English page in Germany or vice versa, leading to high bounce rates.

Each one opens on its own page and works straight away, with no sign-up.

Explorar más herramientas gratuitas:Generador de SchemaGenerador de etiquetas MetaGenerador de LLMs.txtBrowse all free tools

¿Quieres conseguir más menciones en la IA?

Hreflang Tag Checker is one piece of the puzzle. See how ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews actually view your brand, and get a prioritised list of fixes, with a free AEO & GEO audit from AI Rank Lab.

One check is a start. The audit checks the whole site.

Realizar una auditoría AEO y GEO gratuita or Ver precios.

  • Scores SEO, answer-engine (AEO) and generative-engine (GEO) readiness
  • Lists the fixes, page by page
  • Then track whether ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews cite you
fieldnote.app4,571 credits

Site audit

fieldnote.app · SEO, AEO and GEO

Illustrative data
SEO
82
+6
AEO
64
+11
GEO
58
+9
Pages
48
Fixesby impact
  • /pricing · Missing H1High
  • /blog/guide · No FAQ schemaMedium
  • /llms.txt · Not foundMedium
  • /about · Meta description too longLow

See where your whole site stands

Paste your site. The free audit scores it for SEO, answer engines and generative engines, with the fixes.

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