# What is hreflang?

> hreflang is an HTML or sitemap annotation that tells search engines which language or regional version of a page to show to which users.

- Source: https://pipvalley.com/glossary/hreflang
- Publisher: PipValley - web design studio for prop trading firms
- Updated: 2026-10-03

For a prop firm with translated sites, hreflang links each page to its equivalents, such as English, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic, using language codes and optional region codes, plus an x-default for everyone else.

Annotations must be reciprocal: every version lists every other version, including itself. Missing return links and wrong codes are the most common errors, and they cause the wrong language to rank.

Translation also has compliance implications. Rules, terms and disclosures must say the same thing in every language, and restricted countries apply regardless of language.

## Why it matters

Prop trading demand is global, and localized pages can win searches that English pages never will. Implement hreflang from a single routing configuration, translate rules and disclosures professionally, and make sure the English terms are named as the governing version if that is your intent.