1.8 URL structure & internationalisationMediumVerified
Missing lang attribute on <html>
With no lang attribute on the html element, browsers, screen readers and translation tools have to guess the page language. Declaring it is a one-line accessibility and clarity win.
What it is
No language declared.
Why it matters
Hurts accessibility (screen-reader pronunciation) and clarity of language.
How to fix it
Add lang to the html element.
How to find it on your site
- View source and check the html tag for a lang attribute.
- Add lang with the correct language code if it is missing.
- Set it per page on multilingual sites, not just one global value.
- Confirm it matches the page content.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
Declaring the language supports accessibility and correct handling by assistive and translation tools. It is a baseline quality signal.
Impact
Low-medium; a11y. Direct (WCAG).
Evidence
Declare page language for accessibility. W3C, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2