Google SEO
International best practices — Google Search Central
Why include a self-referencing hreflang?
Every page in a multilingual set should reference itself as well as its alternate versions. Omitting that reference weakens the clarity of the language set.
Further analysis
Use this entry as an audit checkpoint. The cited source establishes the context; the direct answer identifies what to check before choosing an action.
In SFT, this topic relates to Structure. Check whether the signal is visible on the page, connected to the rest of the website and supported by understandable evidence.
Related search terms include hreflang self-reference, missing self-reference. Use them to describe the issue in a brief, audit or answer page.
Applying SFT
Structure turns a rule into readable architecture: headings, URLs, structured data, visible content and clear hierarchy.