Google’s Martin Splitt Shares 3 SEO Tips For Multilingual Sites via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

In a caller Google Search Central YouTube video, Martin Splitt from the Google Search squad shared 3 SEO tips for multilingual websites.

The video focuses connected 3 aspects of website internationalization:

1. Website structure
2. Hreflang attributes
3. Language selection

Here’s what Splitt advises erstwhile managing these 3 components.

1. Website Structure

Splitt discussed 3 ways to structure websites for planetary audiences:

1. Using local top-level domains (e.g., .de, .fr)
2. Implementing subdomains
3. Utilizing subdirectories

Splitt explained:

“The astir communal and recommended ways to woody with International sites is to either usage section apical level domains similar .de oregon .it oregon truthful on, oregon usage subdomains oregon subdirectories.”

He added that:

“each of these travel with their ain pros and cons, truthful marque definite to prime cautiously and prime immoderate works champion for your circumstantial case.”

You tin spot the pros and cons he’s referring to successful the screenshot below:

Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, October 2024.

2. Hreflang Attributes

The 2nd extremity revolves astir the proper use of hreflang attributes.

These attributes assistance hunt engines recognize the relationships betwixt antithetic connection versions of a page.

Splitt outlined 3 cardinal points:

1. Use valid connection and state codification combinations
2. Ensure each connection variations nexus to each other
3. Include self-referential links for each connection version

Splitt states:

“First things first, marque definite the attributes are valid. Use valid connection state codification variations. And past marque definite that each variations nexus to each other.

Last but not least, marque definite to besides see a self-referential link. For example, this German leafage references itself on with the English and Japanese versions.”

See the screenshot beneath for the illustration he’s referring to:

Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, October 2024.

Here are examples of valid usage of attributes compared to an invalid use:

Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, October 2024.

Lastly, Splitt noted that hreflang tin beryllium implemented done HTML tags, HTTP headers, oregon XML sitemaps.

See also: Google On How To Simplify Hreflang Implementation

3. Language Selection

The 3rd proposal focuses connected connection version.

Splitt suggests providing links to antithetic connection versions alternatively than automatically redirecting visitors based connected assumed preferences.

He stated:

“Do not automatically presume oregon forcefully redirect your users to a circumstantial version. By linking to antithetic connection oregon state versions, you springiness users a prime and assistance Google bot and others observe these versions arsenic well.”

Screenshot from: YouTube.com/GoogleSearchCentral, October 2024.

Bonus Tip: Quality Over Quantity

In an further tip, Splitt cautioned against over-doing your international SEO efforts.

He recommended focusing connected locations that substance to your concern and tin beryllium decently supported.

Splitt advised

“Don’t overdo it with internationalization. Pick the locales and countries that truly substance to you and you’re consenting to enactment properly.

Instead of lackluster translated pages, marque definite you person contented that is utile to the antithetic audiences successful the countries you attraction astir and marque definite they person a large acquisition connected each of your connection variations.”

See also: 4 Technical SEO Tips For Multilingual Websites

Why This Matters

As your concern grows, website internationalization becomes progressively important.

By pursuing these guidelines from Google, you tin amended your site’s visibility successful planetary hunt results portion providing a amended acquisition for visitors.

See the afloat video below: