A URL structure in which each language or country version lives in its own folder, such as /de-ch/ or /fr/.
Also called: subfolders, subdirectories, language directories
Folders keep all versions on one domain, so links and authority benefit every version. They are cheaper to run than several domains and easy to combine with hreflang.
Subdomains (fr.example.com) are a possible alternative, but are often treated more like separate sites.
Why Language and country folders matters in Switzerland
For international companies that add Switzerland to an existing .com, folders like /ch-de/, /ch-fr/ and /ch-it/ are usually the fastest way to launch.
Our tip
Keep one clear system – for example language-country – and never mix it with automatic redirects based on IP.
Related terms
- ccTLD (.ch domain) – A country-code top-level domain such as .ch for Switzerland, .de for Germany or .at for Austria.
- hreflang – An HTML attribute that tells search engines which language and country a page is written for and where its other language versions are.
- Geo-targeting – Signals and settings that tell search engines (and ads) which country a page or website is meant for.
- International SEO – Search engine optimisation for websites that target several countries or languages at the same time.
- x-default – A special hreflang value for the page that should be shown when no language version matches the user.
Learn more
← All terms in the Swiss SEO glossary
Frequently asked questions
What is Language and country folders?
A URL structure in which each language or country version lives in its own folder, such as /de-ch/ or /fr/.