Don't guess my language (vitonsky.net)

Article summary

The article argues that using IP geolocation to determine a user's language is a flawed approach, as it can lead to incorrect assumptions and annoyance for users. Instead, the article suggests using the Accept-Language header, which is sent by every browser and indicates the user's preferred language. This approach is more accurate and respectful of the user's preferences. The article also notes that using IP geolocation for language detection can be problematic, especially in countries with multiple official languages or for users who travel frequently.

Main themes

• language detection
• IP geolocation
• Accept-Language header
• user preferences
• website localization
• privacy and tracking

What commenters say

• Some users prefer to read content in the original language, even if it's not their primary language, and wish there was a setting to prioritize this.
• Using IP geolocation to determine language can be frustrating for users who travel or live in areas with multiple languages.
• The Accept-Language header is a more reliable way to determine a user's language preferences, but it's not always used correctly by websites.
• Some argue that people often set their Accept-Language header incorrectly, but others counter that this is not a common issue and that websites should respect the user's stated preferences.
• Websites should prioritize using the Accept-Language header over IP geolocation for language detection, as it's more accurate and respectful of user preferences.
• Google and other large websites have the capability to improve language detection, but may not have a strong incentive to do so.
• The use of IP geolocation for language detection can be seen as a form of tracking, and some users may prefer to override this setting for privacy reasons.