This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem:
The client is facing an issue where the English version of their Dutch website is not being indexed by Google, despite having correct canonical tags, hreflang tags, internal links, and XML sitemap. They attempted to change the 'default local parameter' from 'en_US' to 'en', but it did not resolve the issue.
Solution:
We recommend implementing a language switcher or a dedicated root page to help with the indexing of the English pages. Alternatively, deactivating certain functions might help. While we do not have a direct solution for this issue, third-party products like Geo IP-based redirection or using a filter to implement custom exceptions for the Google User Agent via JavaScript could be beneficial. We advise against changing the default language of the installation as a solution.
If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. Should you need further assistance, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.
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