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This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
The client needed a way to display a specific language on a WPML-managed multilingual site based on conditions such as browser language and geolocation. Additionally, they wanted to set a non-default language to be shown first when visiting the site.
Solution:
We informed the client that WPML allows displaying a language based on the user's browser language. We provided a step-by-step guide on setting up automatic redirection based on browser language, which can be found here: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/automatic-redirect-based-on-browser-language/.
Furthermore, we mentioned the possibility of setting a root page where users can select their preferred language before browsing the site. Details on setting up a directory for the default language can be found here: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/directory-default-language/.

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This topic contains 3 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Carlos Rojas 2 months ago.

Assisted by: Carlos Rojas.

Author Posts
March 11, 2024 at 11:45 am #15394680

dariod-33

It would be useful to be able to define under which conditions a specific language should be displayed when someone goes to a multilingual site managed by WPML.

For example:
1. browser language
2. geolocation

Furthermore, it should be possible to define a language other than the default language as the language to be shown first. Often the default language is chosen for practical reasons. For example, it starts with English and then translates into Italian and Spanish. This is because machine translation systems translate well from English but are terrible if you start, for example, from German and then have to translate into French. They often pass through English with devastating results. Then, however, you might want the language to be shown when you go to the site to be another, for example Italian, without making it the default language.

March 11, 2024 at 11:52 am #15394760

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

Hello,
Thank you for contacting us

With the actual WPML options you can show a language to a user based on the user's browser language as described in this link: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/automatic-redirect-based-on-browser-language/ and you can also set a root page where the user selects the language of the site before visiting it: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/directory-default-language/

March 12, 2024 at 7:57 am #15397944

dariod-33

Carlos, using a root page with language selection is "old web". Nobody today does something like that. It is a bad idea from a SEO perspective. The user must immediately be taken to a home page in his/her own language. So the site must be enough smart to use a combo of geolocalization & browser language to propose a home page. In case it si not the right one, the user can change it by a language switch. This is modern web.

March 12, 2024 at 10:24 am #15398509

Carlos Rojas
Supporter

Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español )

Timezone: Europe/Madrid (GMT+02:00)

Hi,

WPML can automatically redirect the user based on the browser language as described in the first link I shared (https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/automatic-redirect-based-on-browser-language/)

This ticket is now closed. If you're a WPML client and need related help, please open a new support ticket.