How Google knows what language to show in search results

When you search on Google, you can get results in a language different from the one you used. This happens because many people speak more than one language. Here’s how it works:

  • Google figures out the language of the results automatically.
  • You can pick a language if you want.

How Google knows what language to use

Many people use different languages when they search on Google. To help them, Google considers a few factors to guess the best language for the results.

The language you used to search

The language you type your search in is important. It tells Google if you want results in a different language than the one set up in your language settings.

For example, if someone in France uses French, they can still search and get results in:

  • Arabic
  • English
  • Other languages
If the content is helpful
Google knows if content in another language is helpful, even if you searched in a different language. Also, there might not be enough information in the language you searched in.
The language you use on Google
You can pick the language you want to get for buttons and other words in Google search. This helps Google know what language to show you for search results. However, it doesn’t only show results in that language.
What language your computer or phone uses
Your computer or phone might tell Google what languages you like to use. If they do, it can help Google pick a language for your search results. However, it doesn’t only show results in that language.
Where you are
Google uses your location to help figure out what language to use for search results. This is helpful when words are the same in different languages, like "taxi." Google finds your location automatically, but you can change it if you want.
What website owners say
If someone makes a website in different languages, they can tell Google which language to show for which people.

Pick a language for your search results

You can pick a language for your search results in two ways:

Language filters mostly work for web results. Some things, like Knowledge Graph displays and top stories, can’t change. Also, they might not work if Google can’t tell what language a page is in. This can happen if:

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?
Search
Clear search
Close search
Google apps
Main menu
5807782933707838987
true
Search Help Center
true
true
true
true
true
100334
false
false
false
false