Do I Need an hreflang Tag Plugin to Publish a Spanish Article on My English Website?
As website owners and digital content managers, one common question is whether adding hreflang tags is necessary when publishing content in multiple languages, especially if your primary audience is in a different country. Consider a scenario where a Spanish journalist approaches you with an article about a tennis event in Spain, requesting to publish it on your website, which is based in the United States and primarily in English. You’re wondering:
- Is it acceptable to publish this Spanish article directly?
- Do I need to install a specific hreflang plugin to inform Google of the language variation?
- Will not using hreflang tags result in penalties or SEO issues?
This article aims to clarify these concerns and guide you on best practices for multilingual content management.
Understanding hreflang and Its Role
What is hreflang?
Hreflang is an HTML attribute or an XML sitemap directive that indicates to search engines the language and regional targeting of a webpage. Proper use of hreflang helps Google serve the most appropriate version of your website based on the user’s language and location, improving user experience and SEO performance.
Why is hreflang important?
Without hreflang tags, Google may perceive duplicate or confusing content, often choosing a single version to display to searchers. Proper tagging ensures your Spanish content is recognized as a distinct language version, preventing potential SEO conflicts and helping targeted audiences find relevant content.
Publishing a Spanish Article on a Primarily English Site
Is it permissible to publish content in Spanish?
Absolutely. There’s no restriction on publishing content in languages other than your site’s primary language, especially if your goal is to serve a multilingual audience or showcase diverse perspectives. However, it’s best practice to clearly indicate the language of the content to both users and search engines.
Do I need to install a hreflang plugin?
While a plugin isn’t strictly mandatory, it simplifies the process of implementing accurate hreflang tags, especially for larger sites or frequent multilingual updates. There are several SEO plugins for WordPress, such as Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack, that support hreflang management. These tools help you avoid manual coding errors and ensure your tags are correctly configured.
What happens if I do not use hreflang tags?
In the short term, Google might still index and display your Spanish article to