The European Commission (EC) has unveiled WEB-T, a new, free plugin designed to automatically translate website content into more than 24 languages.
Developed under the Commission’s DIGITAL Europe program, the AI translation tool is designed to increase access to online information and help businesses reach a wider audience in and beyond Europe.
Research from DG CONNECT across six European nations shows that, while English often serves as the primary alternative to local languages online, only 40% of EU residents report strong English language skills, indicating a strong preference for native language content.
In fact, the study found that 59% of internet users in Europe favor browsing in their most comfortable language, typically their country’s official language, over English. This preference is particularly pronounced among older users, who are more likely to abandon a website not offered in their preferred language.
The study also highlighted specific types of websites where native language content is deemed especially important. They include news (65%), government (54%), health and medical (48%), e-commerce platforms (44%), social networks (43%), and finance or banking (42%).
“To stay competitive and inclusive, websites and content creators must prioritize high-quality content in both local languages and neighboring countries’ languages. This multilingual strategy helps them connect with more users, improve engagement, and ensure everyone can access their digital spaces regardless of language preference,” states the press release.
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The WEB-T plugin can be integrated into existing websites at no cost. It works by offering automatic translation of website content and is compatible with popular website platforms such as WordPress, WooCommerce, Drupal, Magento, and Joomla, as well as several content management systems.
Beyond facilitating communication for European languages, WEB-T’s translation capabilities extend to major languages like Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese. The EC states that the inclusion of these languages is intended to support businesses with international expansion goals, in addition to promoting connectivity within the European Union (EU).