1.8 URL structure & internationalisationMediumInferred
html lang mismatch vs content
The lang attribute on the html element should match the actual language of the page. A mismatch, French content declared as English, confuses assistive technology and language handling.
What it is
Declared language differs from actual.
Why it matters
Confuses language handling and accessibility.
How to fix it
Set lang to match the content.
How to find it on your site
- Read the lang attribute on the html element.
- Compare it to the real language of the page content.
- Correct the attribute to match the content.
- Check templates are not hard-coding the wrong language.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
A correct lang attribute aids accessibility and language processing. A mismatch is a quality and accessibility issue more than a ranking one.
Impact
Low-medium. Inferred (a11y + i18n).
Evidence
Declare the correct content language. Google Search Central, Tell Google about localized versions (hreflang); W3C, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
Sources