Skip Navigation

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

Problem:
The client needed confirmation on whether changing the hreflang attribute from "fr" to "fr-ca" was correct for their site targeting French-Canadian users, and whether using American English as the primary website language instead of British English would pose an issue for targeting Canada.
Solution:
1. We confirmed that using "fr-ca" is appropriate if the client wants to target the Canadian French-speaking audience. If the client does not wish to target specifically Canadian users, they can use "fr".
2. To change the hreflang value, we advised the client to navigate to WPML > Languages > Edit Languages.
3. We also mentioned that the client could switch to "en-gb" if they feel it is more accurate for their target audience, but if they do not target "en-gb" users, no change is necessary at this time.
4. We provided a custom search URL for the client to explore existing tickets regarding similar hreflang changes: here.

Please note that the solution provided might be irrelevant due to being outdated or not applicable to your case. If the solution does not resolve your issue, 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. If you still need assistance, please open a new support ticket here.

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

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

Tagged: 

This topic contains 6 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Mihai Apetrei 8 months, 2 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Mihai Apetrei.

Author Posts
February 28, 2024 at 5:05 pm #15355262

ronaldT-5

Tell us what you are trying to do? getting confirmation from you guys that I won't have issues from now on

Is there any documentation that you are following? no

Is there a similar example that we can see? no

What is the link to your site? staging14.home-alarm.ca

Screenshot 2024-02-28 at 12.03.13 PM.jpg
February 28, 2024 at 5:08 pm #15355323

ronaldT-5

Initially, the hreflang attribute was "fr", but I decided to change it to "fr-ca" to reflect local reality. Was it a mistake of mine? If so, what can I do to fix it?

February 28, 2024 at 6:25 pm #15355486

Mihai Apetrei
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hi there.

Shouldn't be an issue but usually, you would be using "fr-ca" in this situation (presented also in the screenshot I attached):
hidden link

If you don't want to target the Canadian public, you can just use "fr". You can change the "hreflang" value from inside WPML > Languages > Edit Languages.

Mihai Apetrei

Screenshot 2024-02-28 at 20.23.46.png
February 28, 2024 at 7:38 pm #15355675

ronaldT-5

My primary website language is American English even though my target is Canada (British English). Does it matter? See the attachment.

Screenshot 2024-02-28 at 2.34.48 PM.jpg
February 29, 2024 at 5:49 pm #15359973

Mihai Apetrei
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Hi there.

You can also change to "EN-GB" if you feel that this is more accurate for your target audience.

Here is a custom search URL that I created for you for existing tickets regarding this topic:
hidden link

I hope that you will find this information helpful. 🙂

Mihai

February 29, 2024 at 7:01 pm #15360233

ronaldT-5

No, I write in American English since I learned English in the U.S.A.. I'm French-Canadian, but prefers to work in English as English is more useful to me, allowing me to talk to more people around the world.

March 5, 2024 at 5:38 pm #15375969

Mihai Apetrei
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

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

Aw, I see.

Thank you for the explanation!

Then, if you don't target "en-gb" users, there's no need to make any change at the moment in regards to that.

Mihai

March 5, 2024 at 5:41 pm #15375980

ronaldT-5

Thanks for your time.