Split: Change default language and SEO

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

Problem:
The client reported multiple issues with their multilingual WordPress site, including untranslated pages, missing language selection options, incorrect menu translations, questions about displaying language codes, SEO concerns, and issues with translations using Elementor.

Solution:
For item #7 regarding the default language and SEO:
1. We advised against changing the default language as it can significantly impact how Google indexes the site and may not achieve the desired result in search rankings. We emphasized the importance of having a full backup before making such changes.
2. We clarified that Google's search results are determined by its algorithm and are not entirely within the user's control, but the site can be optimized over time to improve visibility.
3. We recommended installing WPML SEO to help other SEO plugins like Rank Math understand the site's language structure better. We provided a guide for this: WPML SEO installation guide.
4. We informed the client that WPML SEO does not require additional settings and that all SEO-related settings should be managed in Rank Math. We also provided a link for translating meta information with WPML: Translating meta information with WPML and Rank Math.

We also mentioned that SEO is a long-term strategy and not solely dependent on WPML SEO.

If the provided solution is not relevant due to being outdated or not applicable to your case, we recommend opening a new support ticket. We highly suggest checking related known issues at WPML Known Issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If further assistance is needed, please contact us through the WPML support forum.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

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This topic is split from https://wpml.org/forums/topic/i-didt-find-where-translate-menu-some-visual-bug-appear-and-missing-translation/

Tagged: Documentation request

This topic contains 3 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Lucas Vidal de Andrade 1 year, 2 months ago.

Assisted by: Lucas Vidal de Andrade.

Author	Posts
March 22, 2024 at 11:31 am #15440077
EmilieT-4	i will fix memory issue east. Here bug we notice: 1.hidden link is not translated. 2. On same page if you click any of the link like hidden link on new page top menu will not have the langage selection option. 3. we want change french menu for this: Acceuil - Services - Réalisation - Vidéos - À propos - Nous contacter 4. We want to know if it's possible to display tow letter only for the langage to save space in the langage selection menu. For exemple Fr instead of French. 5. On top menu, if you click service in english it's appear corectly but if you do it in other langage it's display a long text that not a translation at all of the original menu. 6. We want to know what will appear if we use elementor to translate other langage that got mistake. 7. We build site in english as we tough it was better for translation but we are french company. But now on google its english that displayed even here in french area. How told WPML to make by default french langage.? 8. If i do modification in the english page in code, how push refresh? 9. Testimorial failed to translate. 10. we hope menu fix iwll fix issue with end of word francais that didt display. Unité mobil : Unités mobil There varion translatio that got wrong: Allée pavé : Allée en pavé Enlèvement de mauvaises herbes : Désherbage Bar jaune informative : enlever le mot LE Royal Asphalt : Royal Bitume
March 22, 2024 at 3:43 pm #15441672
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo (GMT-03:00)	Item #7 Here, there are a few details it's important to make clear. 1. Changing the default language, won't change what will show in Google Results. I don't really recommend you do that, since it has a massive impact on how Google sees your content, can lead to problems and won't get you to your desired result. If you wish to do that, please ensure to have a full backup of your website. 2. Google decides, based on its algorithm, what will show in the search results. It's not 100% under your control, even though you can optimize your website in the long term, to make it show on first pages. 3. I see you don't have WPML SEO installed. It's best to have it installed, since it makes other plugins you have installed, like Rank Math SEO to better understand the language structure of your website. Please take a look at our guide on how to do that: https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/wpml-seo/ Please note, that optimizing your content for Google is a long-term, complex task, that is not handled by WPML, but by Rank Math, in your case. Please let me know if that answers your question.
March 24, 2024 at 7:03 am #15443613
EmilieT-4	I installed WPML SEO, did i need to do anything now? how its automaticly do it's stuff?
March 25, 2024 at 1:45 pm #15447117
Lucas Vidal de Andrade WPML Supporter since 11/2023 Languages: English (English ) Spanish (Español ) German (Deutsch ) Portuguese (Brazil) (Português ) Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo (GMT-03:00)	Hello, WPML SEO doesn't require any additional settings. Every SEO related settings can be made in Rank Math 🙂 Here there is additional information on how you can translate meta information (image descriptions, page descriptions and other relevant SEO related data) with WPML: https://wpml.org/documentation/plugins-compatibility/optimize-multilingual-websites-using-rank-math-and-wpml/ Please note, as I said, that SEO is a long-term strategy that does not depend 100% on WPML SEO.