Audit rules
hreflang Code Invalid
An hreflang value is not x-default and not a language code with an optional script and region (en, en-GB, zh-Hant, zh-Hant-TW). In a QuikSEO audit, a failure of this rule has error severity and counts against the score. Below are the exact condition, its exceptions and the sources behind it, followed by the other rules of the same group.
hreflang.invalid_codeError01 — Definition
How This Rule Is Checked
The rule is a pure function of the fetched page: no extra requests, no account settings. The same input always gives the same result.
Rule Severity and Score
- Rule id
hreflang.invalid_code- Group
- Hreflang
- Severity of a failure
- Error
- Counts in the score
- Yes, whenever it applies to the page
- Required for a score
- No
Condition and Exceptions
- Condition
- An hreflang value that is not x-default and not ISO 639-1 language with optional ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 region or ISO 15924 script (en, en-GB, zh-Hant) → fail
- Exceptions
- No hreflang → not_applicable
Sources and Project Decision
- Sources
- Tell Google about localized versions of your page (Google Search Central, Q46)
- Project decision
- Severity is a project decision [D]; the plan gives none. Region codes must be ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 (numeric UN M.49 regions such as 419 are not accepted).
02 — Hreflang
Other Rules in This Group
The other checks of the same group, each with its own condition and sources.
- Hreflang Without Self Referencehreflang.missing_self