🌐 What is Hreflang: ru-RU?
Hreflang: ru-RU is an HTML attribute used in international SEO to specify the language and regional targeting of a web page. It helps search engines understand that the content is in Russian and meant for audiences in Russia.
🔑 Why is Hreflang Important in International SEO?
Hreflang tags are crucial for websites targeting multiple languages and regions. They prevent duplicate content issues, improve user experience by directing users to the most appropriate version of a webpage, and help achieve better rankings in region-specific search results.
⚙️ How Does Hreflang: ru-RU Work?
- A webpage includes the Hreflang tag with the 'ru-RU' attribute in its HTML.
- Search engines crawl the tag to understand the language and regional focus.
- Users searching from Russia or using Russian language settings are directed to the appropriate page.
- This enhances the page's relevance for Russian-speaking audiences.
📌 Examples of Hreflang: ru-RU Implementation
- Using <link rel='alternate' hreflang='ru-RU' href='https://example.com/ru-ru/page.htm'> in the HTML head.
- Declaring the Hreflang: ru-RU meta tag for a Russian blog post targeting local Russian readers.
- Setting Hreflang tags to ensure Russian users find a product page specifically tailored with Russian language and pricing.
✅ Best Practices for Using Hreflang: ru-RU
- Always ensure reciprocal Hreflang tags between different language versions.
- Use the correct language-regional codes as per ISO 639-1 and ISO 3166-1 standards.
- Validate Hreflang implementations using tools like Google Search Console's International Targeting report.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid with Hreflang
- Incorrect language or regional codes which lead to misinterpretation.
- Neglecting to set return tags which can confuse search engines.
- Omitting Hreflang tags on dynamically generated content, leading to missed localization opportunities.
🔍 Related SEO Terms
📝 Key Takeaways
- Hreflang: ru-RU helps target Russian-speaking users in Russia.
- It is essential for improving visibility in localized search engine results.
- Proper implementation prevents user misdirection and potential SEO penalties.