Language selector
Status
- Research
- Draftnot completed
- Pendingnot completed
- Requirednot completed
Research
This standard is being researched with the public, federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
Standard
Help users easily find content in the language they prefer by providing consistent access to an effective language selector on multilingual websites.
Why
Language selectors that follow best practices significantly improve the user experience by helping people access content in their preferred language on multilingual websites.
Research questions
We’re researching this potential standard. Research questions include:
- What’s the most effective way to help users find their preferred language on desktop and mobile (text, icon, browser language, etc.)?
- How should the number of languages offered impact the language selector?
- What order makes sense to users when there are many languages (alphabetized by English name, by non-Latin script, etc.)
- Where should the language selector be in relation to other utilities (e.g., login, search)?
- What should the role of the language selector be when only selected content is available in multiple languages?
Read more
- USWDS guidance on language selectors
- Designing a perfect language selector UX (Smashing Magazine)
- 10x research on improving language access (TBD)
- Code for America research on language access
Feedback
If you have feedback to share, let us know at website.standards@gsa.gov or join a discussion on GitHub about language selector.
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