How to fix: Pages without character encoding declared

Semrush site audit tips without character encoding

Issue: Without a declared character encoding, web browsers might display your page incorrectly, leading to poor user experience. Search engines may also rank such pages lower.

Fix: Specify a character encoding for your webpage, preferably UTF-8, in either the HTTP header or the HTML <meta> tag.

How to Fix for Beginners

  1. Add a Meta Charset Tag: Include the character encoding directly in your HTML file.
    • Example: <meta charset="utf-8">
  2. Set Encoding in the HTTP Header: If you manage server settings, declare the character encoding in the HTTP Content-Type header.
    • Example: Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8
  3. Use UTF-8 Encoding: UTF-8 is the most widely used encoding and supports characters from all major languages and symbols.
  4. Test Your Pages: Open your pages in a browser to ensure all characters display correctly, including special symbols or accented letters.
  5. Check with Tools: Use tools like SEO audits or validators to confirm the encoding is correctly set.

Tip: Declaring UTF-8 encoding ensures proper content display and improves SEO performance globally.

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