You translated a product into French, but the address bar still shows the English URL handle, such as linen-wrap-dress. That isn't a bug. Shopify's automatic translation doesn't include URL handles, so they stay in your default language until you add them by hand. This guide explains why, which pages to start with, how to add and check translated handles, and the mistakes that cause broken links.
What is happening
Shopify's manual translation guide says automatic translation doesn't include URL handles, so you need to add a translated handle manually for each language. Until you do, the translated page is served with the original handle. Shopify describes translated handles as optional but helpful for localization.
- Auto-translate: Skips URL handles
- Without a translated handle: The page uses the default-language handle
- With one: Shopify creates a redirect from the default-language URL to the translated URL
The handle is only the last part of the address. The language part of the URL, such as /fr, comes from how you set up languages in Shopify Markets, and the rest of the path comes from Shopify. What you translate is the product, collection or page name at the end.
Why it matters
The handle is the readable part of the URL that shoppers and search engines see. A handle in the shopper's language reads more naturally in search results and when links are shared in messages or social posts. Shopify states that sitemaps are updated to include translated URL handles.
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| /fr/products/linen-wrap-dress | /fr/products/robe-portefeuille-lin |
| /fr/products/linen-crew-tee | /fr/products/t-shirt-col-rond-lin |
| /fr/collections/totes | /fr/collections/sacs-cabas |
Translated handles are one piece of international SEO. The others are translated SEO titles and descriptions, and the hreflang tags that tell search engines which language version to show. See hreflang on Shopify explained.
Find pages without translated handles
Start with the pages that bring in the most traffic in each language. You don't need to do every page at once.
- Translate & Adapt: Open the language and the resource, and check the URL handle row
- Storefront: Switch to the language and look at the address bar on key product and collection pages
- CSV export: Export translations from Settings, then Languages, to review handles in bulk
A practical order is collections first, because they link to many products, then your top 20 products by traffic in that language, then landing pages you promote in ads or email.
Add a translated handle step by step
These steps come from Shopify's Translate & Adapt documentation.
- Open the app: In your Shopify admin, go to Apps, then Translate & Adapt
- Pick the language: Select the language you want to translate
- Pick the content: Select the product, collection or page that needs a translated handle
- Enter the handle: In the URL handle row, type the translated handle and save
- Check it: Visit the old URL in that language and confirm it redirects to the new one
You can also add translated handles with a compatible third-party app, or by CSV export and import. Shopify notes that if a field isn't in the Translations CSV, it isn't translatable, so the CSV is also a quick way to see what you can change.
A worked example
Harbor Goods Co. adds French and auto-translates the catalog. The Linen Crew Tee page now reads in French, but the URL is still /fr/products/linen-crew-tee. The owner opens Translate & Adapt, picks French, opens the Linen Crew Tee, and enters t-shirt-col-rond-lin in the URL handle row.
Three checks follow. First, /fr/products/linen-crew-tee should now redirect to /fr/products/t-shirt-col-rond-lin. Second, the English page at /products/linen-crew-tee should be unchanged. Third, the French collection page should link to the new address. The owner repeats this for the five collections and the 20 products that get the most French traffic, and leaves the long tail for later.
Write good handles
- ✅ Use lowercase words separated by hyphens
- ✅ Keep it short and match the translated product title
- ✅ Drop accents if your other handles don't use them, and stay consistent
- ✅ Set handles before you promote a page in a new market
- ❌ Don't keep changing a handle once it's live and linked
- ❌ Don't stuff keywords into the handle
How to confirm it worked
After a batch of changes, spot-check a few pages in each language. The translated URL should load directly, the old URL should redirect to it, and internal links in menus and collections should point to the new address. Over the following weeks, the translated URLs should start appearing in Search Console in place of the old ones. For the other SEO fields, see translate SEO titles and descriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Does Shopify translate URL handles automatically?
No. Shopify's help center says automatic translation doesn't include URL handles, so you need to add a translated handle manually for each language.
Will translating a URL handle break old links?
Shopify says that when you create a translated URL handle, a redirect is created from the default-language URL to the translated URL, so old links should keep working. Check a few after each change.
Where do I add a translated URL handle in Shopify?
In your admin, go to Apps, then Translate & Adapt, select the language and the resource, and enter the translated handle in the URL handle row.
Do translated handles show up in my sitemap?
Yes. Shopify states that sitemaps are updated to include translated URL handles.
Handling handles across a whole catalog
LinguaFlow drafts AI translations for each language you add, applies your brand glossary and tone rules, and lets you review and edit before publishing through Shopify's native Translations API with no theme edits. Every change is in an audit log with rollback, which helps when you are working through a large catalog one language at a time. See LinguaFlow.