How to fix no language declared (GEO)
This issue indicates that the 'lang' attribute is missing from your HTML opening tag. Without this, engines must guess the language, which can lead to misinterpretation.
What is wrong
The start of your source code should look like . If it simply says , you are failing to provide a basic technical signal that confirms the intended audience and linguistic context of your text.
Why it matters
Language declaration is a fundamental signal for GEO. It helps AI agents filter content for specific regional queries and ensures that translation services or screen readers treat the text correctly. It prevents your content from being surfaced to users in the wrong linguistic context.
How to fix it
1. Locate the HTML opening tag
Access your site's header template or theme files. Find the very first tag at the top of the document.
2. Insert the lang attribute
Add the attribute using the appropriate ISO 639-1 language code. For example, use 'en' for English, 'fr' for French, or 'de' for German.
3. Specify regional variants if needed
If your content is specific to a region, use a subcode, such as for British English or for American English.
Platform notes
Most modern CMS platforms like WordPress or Shopify handle this automatically based on your site settings. Check 'Settings > General' in WordPress to ensure your Site Language is correctly set.
Common questions
- Is the lang attribute the same as hreflang?
- No. The lang attribute identifies the language of the current page, while hreflang tells engines about versions of the page in other languages.
- Does this impact search rankings?
- Indirectly. It ensures your site is categorised correctly for the right language markets, avoiding 'wrong language' bounces.