Short answer
To rank in Arabic search, research Arabic keywords directly instead of translating English ones, give Arabic pages their own URLs (such as /ar/) with hreflang tags linking each language version, set lang="ar" and dir="rtl", design layouts right to left, and publish natural Arabic content written by a native writer.
Many Gulf businesses have an English website and wonder why they barely appear when customers search in Arabic. Arabic SEO is not a translation job. It needs its own keyword research, its own pages and a layout built for right-to-left reading. This guide explains how to do it properly.
Why Arabic SEO matters
Customers in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf search in Arabic, in English and often in a mix of both. If your site only exists in English, you are invisible for a large share of local searches. A well-built Arabic version also builds trust: it shows customers you understand their market.
Arabic keyword research
- Start from what people type, not from a translation of your English keywords. The most common Arabic phrase for a service is often not the literal translation.
- Check spelling variants. Arabic search terms can be written in several ways, with or without certain letters and marks. Research each common form.
- Include English brand and product names written in Arabic letters, such as platform names or product categories.
- Look at local phrasing. Customers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE may use different everyday words for the same thing.
Site structure for Arabic and English
- Separate URLs for each language, for example
/ar/for Arabic pages, so Google can index both versions. - hreflang tags that link each English page to its Arabic version, so searchers see the right language.
- The right HTML settings:
lang="ar"anddir="rtl"on Arabic pages. - Arabic titles and meta descriptions written for searchers, not machine-translated.
- A visible language switch on every page that has a translation.
Right-to-left design done properly
- Mirror the layout: menus, arrows, icons and reading order should flow right to left.
- Use a font designed for Arabic, with comfortable line spacing. Arabic text needs more line height than English.
- Never add letter-spacing to Arabic text. It breaks the connected letters.
- Check every page on a phone. Most Arabic searches happen on mobile.
Content that ranks
Write Arabic content for Arabic readers. Answer the questions they ask before buying: prices, comparisons, how long things take and what to expect. A native writer who knows your industry is worth far more than a fast translation. Add Arabic FAQs, which can also earn rich results in Google.
Local SEO in Arabic
Complete your Google Business Profile in Arabic as well as English, reply to reviews in the language the customer used, and make sure your business name and address match everywhere they appear online. Read our wider guide to SEO in Saudi Arabia.
How Razinio can help
We build bilingual websites with proper right-to-left layouts and run SEO programmes that cover Arabic and English keywords, from SAR 1,870 a month. See an example of our Arabic pages for Riyadh and Jeddah, or book a free 30-minute strategy call.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just translate my English website into Arabic?
Translation is a start, but it rarely ranks well. Arabic searchers often use different words from the literal translation, so each page needs its own keyword research and natural Arabic copy.
Should Arabic pages be on a separate domain?
Usually not. A folder such as /ar/ on your main domain keeps all your authority in one place and is simple to manage with hreflang tags.
Do I need Arabic content on every page?
Start with the pages that bring in business: your home page, main services and location pages. Expand from there as you see results.