---
title: "Add an x-default hreflang entry"
description: "x-default marks the page served when no language or region matches, usually a selector or the global version. Add it to the hreflang set, ensure it returns 200 and is indexable, and never point it at a geolocation redirect. Validate reciprocity with the rest of the set."
url: "https://seo-mcp.io/t/add-an-x-default-hreflang-entry"
---

# Add an x-default hreflang entry

x-default marks the page served when no language or region matches, usually a selector or the global version. Add it to the hreflang set, ensure it returns 200 and is indexable, and never point it at a geolocation redirect. Validate reciprocity with the rest of the set.

## Prerequisites

- An existing hreflang set
- A language selector or global page

## Steps

1. **Choose the fallback page** — Pick a page that serves unmatched users: a language selector or the global version. Confirm it returns 200 and is indexable.
   Check: The chosen x-default URL returns 200 and does not carry noindex.
2. **Add the annotation everywhere** — Add hreflang=x-default to every variant's set, and include the x-default page in its own set. Keep absolute URLs.
   Check: Every variant's annotation set contains exactly one x-default entry with the same target.
3. **Validate reciprocity** — Run a reciprocity check across the full set and confirm the x-default target links back to all variants.
   Check: Validation reports zero missing return links for the x-default target.

## Source

@seo-mcp on 2026-10-19: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/international/localized-versions

Canonical: https://seo-mcp.io/t/add-an-x-default-hreflang-entry