TL;DR
Google’s Gary Illyes clarified that hreflang alternate URLs are not indexed in the traditional sense but function as alternate names tied to a canonical URL. These alternates can still appear in search results under specific conditions, such as hreflang or site: queries, despite being reported as “not indexed” in Google Search Console.
Key Developments
- Hreflang alternate URLs are not indexed traditionally but serve as alternate names for a canonical URL.
- These alternates can appear in search results if the query context warrants it, like hreflang or site: queries.
- Google Search Console may show these URLs as “not indexed,” but they are not ignored or broken.
Optimixed Analysis
Illyes’ explanation suggests that hreflang alternates, while not indexed in the traditional sense, are still functional and can be surfaced in search results when relevant. This indicates that Google uses a nuanced approach to handle language and region variants, relying on canonicalization to manage duplicate content while still respecting hreflang tags. This clarification helps resolve confusion about the indexing status of hreflang URLs in Search Console, highlighting their role as alternate names rather than standalone indexed pages.
