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Glossary of Terms

We have compiled this list of terms and definitions to help you better understand the terminology used within the web development community.

Hreflang

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Hreflang annotations tell search engines which language and region each version of a page targets. When set up correctly, they help serve the right version to users in different countries. Getting hreflang wrong can cause the wrong language to show up in search results.

Hreflang

Hreflang is an HTML attribute that tells search engines "this page exists in multiple languages or regional versions — here is where to find each one." It is the mechanism that ensures French users see your French page, Spanish users see the Spanish version, and everyone lands on the content written for them. Without it, search engines guess — and they often guess wrong.

Why It Matters

  • Users see content in their language. Hreflang ensures search engines serve the correct language version to each user. A German user searching in German should land on your German page, not the English one.
  • It prevents duplicate content issues. Multiple language versions of the same page look like duplicate content to search engines. Hreflang annotations tell them these are intentional regional variants, not copies.
  • Regional targeting becomes precise. Beyond just language, hreflang can target regions. You can differentiate between English for the US (en-us), English for the UK (en-gb), and English for Australia (en-au) — each with pricing, spelling, or cultural differences.
  • Wrong results cost you visitors. If a Spanish-speaking user lands on your English page because hreflang is missing, they are likely to bounce immediately. You had the right content for them, but the search engine could not find it.

How to Implement It

  1. Add hreflang link elements to each page. In the <head> of every page, include a <link rel="alternate" hreflang="xx" href="/..."> tag for each language/region variant, including the current page itself.
  2. Use correct language and region codes. Language codes follow ISO 639-1 (two-letter codes like en, fr, de). Region codes follow ISO 3166-1 Alpha 2 (like us, gb, au). Combine them as en-us, fr-ca, etc.
  3. Always include a self-referencing tag. Every page must include a hreflang tag pointing to itself. If the English page lists the French and Spanish versions but not itself, the implementation is incomplete.
  4. Make annotations bidirectional. If page A points to page B as a language variant, page B must also point back to page A. One-way hreflang references are ignored by search engines.
  5. Add an x-default fallback. Include a hreflang="x-default" tag pointing to the page that should be shown when no specific language match exists. This is usually your default language version.

Common Mistakes

  • Missing return links. If your English page links to your French page but the French page does not link back to the English one, the annotation is invalid. Every relationship must be reciprocal.
  • Using wrong language codes. Common errors include using uk for Ukrainian (it should be ua), or jp for Japanese (it should be ja). Always verify codes against the ISO standards.
  • Pointing to non-canonical URLs. Hreflang tags should point to the canonical version of each page. If the tag points to a URL that is redirected or non-canonical, search engines may ignore it.
  • Forgetting the self-reference. Every page must include a hreflang tag pointing to itself. Omitting the self-referencing tag is one of the most common implementation mistakes.
Bottom Line: Use hreflang annotations on every multilingual page, make them bidirectional, include a self-reference, and add an x-default fallback. Correct hreflang ensures the right users see the right language every time.
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Synonyms: Language Targeting, Regional SEO

What Does "Liquid Purple" mean?

noun | / LIK-wid PUR-pul /

  1. (biochemistry) Also known as visual purple or rhodopsin — a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the rods of the retina. It enables vision in dim light by transforming invisible darkness into visible form. Derived from the Greek rhódon (rose) and ópsis (sight), its name reflects its delicate pink hue and vital role in perception.

  2. (modern usage) Liquid Purple — a digital marketing agency specializing in uncovering unseen opportunities and illuminating brands hidden in the digital dark. Much like its biological namesake, Liquid Purple transforms faint signals into clear visibility — revealing what others overlook and bringing businesses into the light.

Origin: From the scientific term rhodopsin, discovered by Franz Christian Boll in 1876; adopted metaphorically by a marketing firm dedicated to visual clarity in the age of algorithms.

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