primary language meta tags

[CraigR]

i am developing a site into 8 languages, where the language data populates the page from either a database or via a php includes file, depending on the appropriate session value.

It works well, and i am now working on the seo aspects.

i have the title, content and keyword tags working as above, using php includes, but was wondering about the language tag and how important it was.

<meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en" /> may be relevant for a primarily english site, would I replace the content with an appropriate language tag, eg "it" for italian.

Does this have much effect on search engines, if I am 'googling' from italy for example ?

[Jason Byrnes]

see the following page for details:
http://www.webmarketingnow.com/tips/meta-tags-uncovered.html#content-language

[CraigR]

Thanks Jason.

I found that resource, but found the wording slightly ambiguous.

It is advised only to use the Meta Content Language tag if your website is written in non-US English.

I assume that means NOT in US English, ie a foreign language.

All of my sites are written in non-us english, they are in british english

[Jason Byrnes]

you should be using the Content-Language meta tag to set your site as using British English then.

<meta name="Content-Language" content="en-GB" />

the Content-Language meta tag is not needed if the language is US English, other wise the Content-Language should be specified using the Content-Language meta tag.