Hreflang Tags Validator

Validate hreflang annotations from a web page or from a Sitemap with xhtml:link. We check syntax, duplicates, self-reference, optional reciprocity, and more.

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Enter a URL or paste code, then click Validate.

FAQ: hreflang validation

1) Do hreflang codes need to be lowercase?
Search engines treat them case-insensitively, but using lowercase (e.g., en-gb) keeps your annotations consistent and avoids audit noise.

2) Do I need a self-referential hreflang?
It’s recommended so each page lists itself among alternates. This reduces ambiguity and helps validators and crawlers confirm the set.

3) Should I include x-default?
Optional. Use it for a global fallback, such as a language selector or neutral homepage.

4) HTML vs Sitemap - which is better?
Both work. Pick one method to simplify maintenance. Sitemaps scale better for large sites; HTML works well for smaller sets.

5) What breaks reciprocity?
Missing alternates on some pages, mixed protocols (http/https), inconsistent trailing slashes, or pointing to a non-canonical URL on one side of the pair.

Usage note: This validator makes on-demand requests only (no storage), follows up to 5 redirects, and uses the UA HotaHreflangValidator/1.0 (+https://hota.digital). Reciprocity checks may fetch several alternates. Validate only URLs you control.

Why this output matters

Hreflang validation checks whether international annotations are syntactically valid and reciprocal. The output helps international SEO teams prevent the wrong market or language page from appearing in search and catch issues that are difficult to spot across large sites.

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