Low impactContent
Missing lang Attribute on <html>
Without a lang attribute, screen readers and translators can't tell what language your page is in.
What it means
The <html lang='en'> attribute declares the page's primary language to browsers, screen readers, and translation services.
Why it matters
Accessibility tools rely on lang to choose pronunciation rules. Google uses it as a hint for language targeting.
How to fix it
- Add a lang attribute to <html>, e.g. <html lang='en'>.
- Use ISO 639-1 codes (en, fr, es) optionally with region (en-US, en-GB).
Find this issue on your site automatically
FreeSEO scans for missing lang attribute on <html> and 140+ other issues, free, no signup.
Frequently asked questions
Does lang affect SEO?
Indirectly, it's a weak language hint to Google, but a strong accessibility signal.
