Telling search engines who a page is for.
WHEN THIS APPLIES
Sites with versions for different languages or countries.
WHAT IS REQUIRED
Each version declaring its language and region, and pointing at its alternatives.
WHAT IT PREVENTS
Versions treated as duplicates The wrong version shown to a visitor
WHAT MUST BE CORRECT
Every version listing every other, including itself Consistent codes A fallback for visitors matching nothing
WHAT GOES WRONG
Incomplete lists Wrong codes Pointing at pages that do not exist
WHO HANDLES IT
A multilingual plugin, usually. Verify rather than assume.
FOR REGIONAL VARIANTS IN THE SAME LANGUAGE
Equally important.
English for Nigeria and English for elsewhere need distinguishing.
HOW TO CHECK
Search Console reports problems with these signals.
FOR A SINGLE-COUNTRY SITE
Not applicable. Do not add it unnecessarily.
