The language-region codes for German in Switzerland (de-CH) and German in Germany (de-DE) – two different target markets.
Also called: de-CH, German for Switzerland
Many international websites have one German version written for Germany. In Switzerland such pages compete against Swiss pages with Swiss spelling, Swiss prices and Swiss addresses – and usually lose.
With hreflang de-CH and de-DE, Google can show the right version in each country. The pages may be similar, but should differ where it matters: prices, contact details, delivery terms and wording.
Why de-CH vs de-DE matters in Switzerland
Without a de-CH version, Swiss visitors often land on the German page, see euro prices and German delivery terms, and leave. A de-CH version is one of the quickest wins for companies from Germany and Austria.
Our tip
Start with the pages that bring revenue (services, prices, contact) and localise them for Switzerland first.
Related terms
- hreflang – An HTML attribute that tells search engines which language and country a page is written for and where its other language versions are.
- Swiss Standard German – The written German used in Switzerland: Standard German with Swiss spelling, Swiss vocabulary and no «ß».
- Localisation – Adapting content to a market – language, currency, examples, legal details and tone – instead of only translating it.
- CHF prices – Prices in Swiss francs, written the Swiss way – for example «CHF 1'900» or «CHF 49.90».
- Swiss German – The spoken dialects of German-speaking Switzerland – heard everywhere, but rarely written in searches.
Learn more
← All terms in the Swiss SEO glossary
Frequently asked questions
What is de-CH vs de-DE?
The language-region codes for German in Switzerland (de-CH) and German in Germany (de-DE) – two different target markets.