Should You Implement hreflang on Every Store Locator Page?

2 responses to “Should each store locator page have hreflang?”

1. Considerations for Using hreflang on Store Locator Pages

   Using hreflang on store locator pages can help search engines understand the geographical targeting and linguistic preferences for your content. However, implementing it might not be straightforward in all situations. Here’s a detailed breakdown to address your specific questions:

   1. Using hreflang with Only Language Code

   The hreflang attribute allows you to specify language and regional targeting of your web pages, using a language code ([language]) and an optional country code ([COUNTRY]), formatted as hreflang="[language]-[COUNTRY]".

   • Use of Language-Only Code: If your store locator pages are not specific to any country and only serve different languages, you can use the language-only format for hreflang, like hreflang="en" for English, or hreflang="fr" for French. This implementation is valid, and it indicates to search engines that the page is intended for users who understand a particular language, without country-specific variants.

   html
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://example.com/en/store-locator">
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" href="https://example.com/fr/store-locator">

   • When to Include a Country Code: Use a country code along with the language when your store locator pages are specifically tailored for users in particular countries. This is helpful when the content or availability differs per country.

   2. Compulsory Implementation of hreflang on Store Locator Pages

   The implementation of hreflang is beneficial but not always compulsory, especially for pages like store locators. Consider the following:

   • Complexity with Translations & Alternate Links: Implementing hreflang can be challenging if translations or alternate links for all locales aren’t readily available when the page loads. If extracting all translations and links dynamically is too complex, prioritize pages where hreflang has the highest impact on user experience and SEO, such as high-traffic pages or those with content significantly differing by language or region.

   • Performance and SEO Impact: Not having hreflang might lead to less optimal search engine results, like incorrect page versions showing up for certain users. However, it’s important to balance the technical feasibility and the actual benefit. Use tools like

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2. Great questions raised in your post! When it comes to implementing `hreflang`, especially on store locator pages, it’s important to consider both user experience and SEO implications.

   1. **Including `hreflang` without Countries**: While it’s technically possible to use `hreflang=”language”` without a country code, it’s usually better to include the country in your markup. This not only helps search engines understand your content’s geographic targeting better but also improves the user experience by directing users to the most relevant version of the page. For example, a French speaker in Canada might prefer a different experience than one in France.

   2. **Compiling `href` Links**: I completely empathize with the challenges of gathering href links for different translations and locales, especially if some are not fully developed. While it may seem daunting, including `hreflang` attributes on each store locator page is beneficial if the alternate pages exist — even in a partially developed form. If a version isn’t live yet, you can temporarily omit it, but ensure to update the `hreflang` attribute as additional translations become available.

   In summary, while including `hreflang` on every store locator page can be a bit of a logistical challenge, the added clarity for both search engines and users makes it worthwhile. It might also be helpful to prioritize the most critical locations or languages first, gradually expanding your implementation as resources allow. Thanks for sparking this discussion!

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