What does 'Invalid HTML Lang Attribute' mean in Site Audit?

Invalid HTML Lang Attribute

Description

The page has an invalid lang attribute on the HTML tag.

How to Fix

Update the lang attribute to use a valid language code format.

Detailed Analysis

Certainly! Let's delve into the issue of an "Invalid HTML Lang Attribute."

1. What Causes This Issue

The lang attribute in HTML is used to declare the language of the text content within an element. When this attribute is incorrectly specified, it can be due to:

Typographical Errors: Simple typos in the language code, such as using en-US when it should be en-us (case sensitivity matters in some contexts).
Unsupported Language Codes: Using language codes that are not recognized by the ISO 639 language codes or the IANA language subtag registry.
Incorrect Placement: Applying the lang attribute incorrectly, such as placing it in an inappropriate tag or using it multiple times in conflicting ways.
Misuse of Subtags: Incorrect use of region or script subtags, like using en-uk instead of en-GB for British English.

2. Why It's Important

Accessibility: Screen readers and other assistive technologies rely on the lang attribute to correctly interpret and pronounce the text. An invalid lang attribute can lead to mispronunciation or incorrect reading of the content.
SEO and Search Engines: Search engines use the lang attribute to better understand the language of the content, which can affect indexing and ranking. An invalid attribute might lead to improper indexing.
Localization and User Experience: For multilingual websites, the correct lang attribute ensures that users see content in their preferred language, enhancing user experience.

3. Best Practices to Prevent It

Use Correct Language Codes: Always refer to the official ISO 639-1/2 language codes and IANA language subtag registry for accurate codes.
Validate HTML: Use HTML validators like the W3C Markup Validation Service to check for any invalid attributes or errors in your HTML.
Consistent Use: Ensure the lang attribute is consistently applied across all pages of a multilingual website.
Keep Updated: Stay informed about updates or changes in language code standards to ensure ongoing compliance.
Testing: Regularly test with screen readers and other accessibility tools to ensure content is read correctly.

4. Examples of Good and Bad Cases

Bad Case:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en-UK">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Sample Page</title>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Welcome to our website!</p>
</body>
</html>

Issue: The language code en-UK is not valid. The correct code for British English is en-GB.

Good Case:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en-GB">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Sample Page</title>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Welcome to our website!</p>
</body>
</html>

Solution: The language code is correctly specified as en-GB.

Another Bad Case:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="english">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Sample Page</title>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Welcome to our website!</p>
</body>
</html>

Issue: The language code english is not a valid ISO 639 code.

Another Good Case:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Sample Page</title>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Welcome to our website!</p>
</body>
</html>

Solution: The language code is correctly specified as en for English.

By following these guidelines and ensuring the correct implementation of the lang attribute, you will improve accessibility, user experience, and potentially the SEO performance of your site.

Updated about 5 hours ago