Locale-based publishing in Hygraph allows teams to publish content for a single locale independently of other locales in their project. For example, if your project includes locales for Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Belgium, you can publish content for Germany without needing to complete or publish content for the other locales. This enables teams to work flexibly and efficiently, adapting to their own timelines and priorities. Note: Content must first be published in the default locale before other locales can be published. Learn more.
How does locale-based publishing optimize workflows?
Locale-based publishing helps teams optimize workflows by allowing them to create, edit, and publish content for each locale independently. This means teams can plan ahead, enable future target locales in the schema, and leave them in draft until ready. External translation partners can base their work on the published default locale, and teams can choose to build out pages gradually or all at once. Note: If a locale is disabled and content is saved, progress for that locale may be lost. Read more.
How does locale-based publishing speed up content creation?
Once the first iteration of a locale is complete, teams can publish and move on to other content without waiting for other locales. This enables faster launches and allows integration with third-party translation services, as external editors can use the existing locale as a guide. Note: Teams must publish the default locale before adding other locales. Details here.
How can teams use locale-based publishing to refine and test content?
Teams can test and refine content for each locale independently, rather than relying on direct translations. This allows for more targeted messaging and the ability to run localized tests without impacting other locales. Note: Direct translations may not always resonate with local audiences, so independent refinement is valuable. More info.
How do you enable and manage locales in Hygraph?
Project admins can create, edit, and remove locales under the locales option in settings. The default locale is chosen during this step and acts as the fallback. Additional locales can be enabled or disabled via the UI, and content editors can add, edit, or delete content for each locale. Note: Disabling a locale and saving progress may result in loss of content for that locale. See workflow details.
How are localized assets handled in Hygraph?
All assets in Hygraph are localized by default. Different assets can be published for each locale, which is especially useful for charts and diagrams. If localized assets are not added, the default locale asset will be served as a fallback. Note: You must start with the asset for the default locale before creating assets for other locales. Learn more.
What is a default locale and how does fallback work?
The default locale in Hygraph is the fallback locale used when there is no localized version of a content entry. The default locale must always be published first, and non-localized fields will always publish the default locale as well. See documentation. Note: If you do not have a localized entry, users will see the default locale content.
Can you manage localization programmatically in Hygraph?
Yes, much of what can be done in the Hygraph UI for localization can also be achieved programmatically via the Mutations API. Developers can add, update, and publish localized content using GraphQL. See developer docs. Note: Some advanced localization scenarios may require custom implementation.
Features & Capabilities
What are the key features of Hygraph for localization and content management?
Hygraph offers GraphQL-native architecture, content federation, granular permissions, Smart Edge Cache, and integrations with translation/localization services. These features support efficient, scalable, and secure content management for global teams. Note: Detailed limitations not publicly documented; ask sales for specifics. See feature details.
What integrations does Hygraph support for localization and asset management?
Hygraph integrates with translation/localization tools such as EasyTranslate, and digital asset management systems like Cloudinary, Bynder, AWS S3, Imgix, and Mux. For a full list, visit the Hygraph Marketplace. Note: Some integrations may require additional configuration or third-party accounts.
Technical Requirements & Documentation
Where can I find technical documentation for localization in Hygraph?
Comprehensive technical documentation for localization, including API usage, schema setup, and programmatic management, is available at Hygraph's developer docs. Note: For advanced use cases, consult the documentation or contact support.
What is the Mutations API and how does it help with localization?
The Mutations API allows teams to interact with project content outside of the Hygraph UI using GraphQL. It supports adding, updating, deleting, and publishing localized content programmatically. See Mutations API docs. Note: Some localization workflows may require custom logic.
Use Cases & Benefits
Who benefits from locale-based publishing in Hygraph?
Locale-based publishing is ideal for global teams, enterprises, and organizations managing content in multiple languages or regions. It supports marketing professionals, content creators, and developers who need to deliver localized experiences efficiently. Note: Teams with highly centralized, single-locale content may not require this feature.
What business impact can teams expect from using locale-based publishing?
Teams can expect faster time-to-market, improved workflow efficiency, and the ability to reach new audiences as their product grows. For example, companies like Samsung and Komax have achieved measurable improvements in engagement and speed-to-market using Hygraph. Note: Impact may vary based on team size and localization needs. See case studies.
Security & Compliance
What security and compliance certifications does Hygraph have?
Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (since August 3, 2022), ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant. These certifications ensure that your localized and global content is managed securely and in compliance with international standards. Note: For industry-specific compliance needs, contact Hygraph sales. See security details.
Customer Success & Proof
Can you share examples of companies using Hygraph for localization?
Yes. Companies like Samsung improved customer engagement by 15% and Komax achieved 3x faster time-to-market by managing content across 40+ markets using Hygraph. Voi scaled multilingual content across 12 countries and 10 languages. For more, see Hygraph case studies. Note: Results depend on implementation and team structure.
In this post, we take a look at how locale-based publishing can unlock new possibilities for reaching new audiences and shortening content creation timelines.
Last updated by Jing
on Jan 21, 2026
Originally written by Emily
Locale-based publishing allows teams to work more flexibly and create content for audiences as they have new capacity. In this post, we take a brief look at what exactly locale-based publishing is and how to publish content from a single locale in Hygraph.
In Hygraph, Locale Based Publishing allows teams using multiple locales to publish content based on just one of their locales. Teams are able to publish content for a single locale, independent from the status of the other locales in their project.
For example, if you have a project with locales for Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Belgium and Germany is the Default Locale, a team can start and finish creating content for Germany without having to touch the other locales.
As the team has the capacity to start work on a second or third locale, this content can be saved in Draft without having to be published in the final stage. It is common that several team members create content for different locales, this allows them to work independently of their counterparts and build content that matches their timelines and team priorities.
#Importance of working with Locale Based Publishing
Optimize workflows with locale based publishing
Locale based publishing helps teams optimize their workflows and keep teams efficient.
If additional locales are outsourced to external companies, they are able to see the published default locale and base their content on the default locale. Teams have the flexibility to create workflows that work for them. If they want to slowly build out pages and continually add locales, that is possible with Hygraph. If teams prefer to create a full project in one locale and then create page by page a localized version of that page, that is also possible.
Teams are able to plan ahead with Locale Based Publishing. It allows them to determine which locales will be target locales in the future, enable them in the schema, and leave them in an unused draft state until they have the capacity to create content for the additional locale.
Speed up content creation
Locale-based publishing also speeds up content creation across the board. Once the first iteration of a locale is complete, the team can publish and move on to other content without having to waste time waiting for other locales to be complete.
Locale-based publishing opens up possibilities from integrating with 3rd party translation services into workflows because external editors are able to work with the existing locale as a guide for translation and structure of the next locale. After the default locale is in place, teams are able to work efficiently to build additional locales and can take advantage of 3rd localization services.
Refine and test content for different locales with locale based publishing
In some cases, it may be helpful for teams to test marketing content for each locale rather than have each locale be a direct translation of the default locale. We have all seen examples where direct translations lose their meaning when they do not reach the correct audience. With locale-based publishing, teams are able to build content that will bring the most value to the intended audience.
As teams iterate the content, they are able to run tests based on the localized content and continue to refine one locale’s content without impacting additional locales.
Build modern products like a modern team
Modern digital products are created by a global team for a global audience. Locale-based publishing enables teams to work efficiently, reach new audiences as their product grows, be flexible to changes in taste or capacity.
If a digital product gains traction in a market that was not initially anticipated, it is easy to create localized content for the new locale once the initial localized structure is in place. Teams that plan ahead and want to avoid costly redesigns will account for localization from the beginning of the project. With locale-based publishing, teams are able to have the localized structure from the beginning of the project and wait until the team has the capacity to add additional locales. Because the content of the locales exists independently of each other, teams are flexible and their workflows the modern style of a global team.
At Hygraph, locale-based publishing is a straightforward workflow that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of your team. For a detailed look into how to create a localized content within Hygraph, check out our blog post on handling localization in Hygraph.
To start, create a schema with a default locale and at least one other locale
Project admins are able to create, edit, and remove locales under the locales options in settings.
It is important to note that in this step they will also choose the Default Locale which will be the fallback locale. Content must first be published in the default locale before the content for other locales can be created.
Enable locales via the UI
Once teams are ready to start working with an additional locale, they can enable it in the UI. Team members can click the Create item + then on the Document Information sidebar, click the plus sign for the additional locale you wish to add.
You can also disable a locale via this button. If a locale is disabled and a content editor saves the progress, the content for the disabled locale may be lost.
Add, edit, delete content to a single locale
Content editors can add, edit, and delete content to each locale via the UI. Each field will list the different locales where content editors input content. Once you have finished adding content to a specific field, you can press the arrow to the left of the field name to collapse the field for a cleaner UI.
If you are working on content for a single locale and wish to hide all other locale fields without disrupting the content, simply press the eye in the Document Information Sidebar.
Publish content to a single locale
When a team member is ready to publish content for a locale, they can just press publish. Then a popup will appear that allows them to select which locale to publish (teams can also select several).
Teams must first publish the content on their default locales and non-localized fields will always publish the default locale as well.
A note about localized assets
Localized assets work a little bit differently than the other field types. In Hygraph, all assets are localized by default. Localized assets mean that different assets will be published based on the overall final localized frontend. (This can be especially helpful for charts and diagrams.)
To localize an asset, select within the asset picker which locale will be used for the asset. You must first start with the asset for the default locale before any other localized assets can be created.
If localized assets are not added, then the fallback (default locale) asset will be served where applicable.
Localized content is content that is optimized to appear on a specific locale in the presentation layer. Localized content may be content that is translated into another language or that adheres to other specific standards of the locale. Check out our post on “Handling Localization in Hygraph” to learn more.
The Mutations API allows teams to interact with your project content outside of the Hygraph UI using GraphQL. Using the Mutations API, teams are able to add and update content, delete content, set content to publish, and much more. For more on the Mutations API, dive into our developer docs on Mutations.
The default locale is the fallback locale that Hygraph will use if there is not a localized version of a specific content entry. The default locale must always be published first and then content editors are free to add additional locales. For more on the default locale, check out the Docs on localization.
A Fallback locale is the locale where content will be published if there is not a content entry available for a content locale. The fallback locale in Hygraph is also called the default locale. To learn more about the fallback locale, check out the Docs on localization.
Blog Authors
Jing Li
Emily Nielsen
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In this post, we take a look at how locale-based publishing can unlock new possibilities for reaching new audiences and shortening content creation timelines.
Last updated by Jing
on Jan 21, 2026
Originally written by Emily
Locale-based publishing allows teams to work more flexibly and create content for audiences as they have new capacity. In this post, we take a brief look at what exactly locale-based publishing is and how to publish content from a single locale in Hygraph.
In Hygraph, Locale Based Publishing allows teams using multiple locales to publish content based on just one of their locales. Teams are able to publish content for a single locale, independent from the status of the other locales in their project.
For example, if you have a project with locales for Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Belgium and Germany is the Default Locale, a team can start and finish creating content for Germany without having to touch the other locales.
As the team has the capacity to start work on a second or third locale, this content can be saved in Draft without having to be published in the final stage. It is common that several team members create content for different locales, this allows them to work independently of their counterparts and build content that matches their timelines and team priorities.
#Importance of working with Locale Based Publishing
Optimize workflows with locale based publishing
Locale based publishing helps teams optimize their workflows and keep teams efficient.
If additional locales are outsourced to external companies, they are able to see the published default locale and base their content on the default locale. Teams have the flexibility to create workflows that work for them. If they want to slowly build out pages and continually add locales, that is possible with Hygraph. If teams prefer to create a full project in one locale and then create page by page a localized version of that page, that is also possible.
Teams are able to plan ahead with Locale Based Publishing. It allows them to determine which locales will be target locales in the future, enable them in the schema, and leave them in an unused draft state until they have the capacity to create content for the additional locale.
Speed up content creation
Locale-based publishing also speeds up content creation across the board. Once the first iteration of a locale is complete, the team can publish and move on to other content without having to waste time waiting for other locales to be complete.
Locale-based publishing opens up possibilities from integrating with 3rd party translation services into workflows because external editors are able to work with the existing locale as a guide for translation and structure of the next locale. After the default locale is in place, teams are able to work efficiently to build additional locales and can take advantage of 3rd localization services.
Refine and test content for different locales with locale based publishing
In some cases, it may be helpful for teams to test marketing content for each locale rather than have each locale be a direct translation of the default locale. We have all seen examples where direct translations lose their meaning when they do not reach the correct audience. With locale-based publishing, teams are able to build content that will bring the most value to the intended audience.
As teams iterate the content, they are able to run tests based on the localized content and continue to refine one locale’s content without impacting additional locales.
Build modern products like a modern team
Modern digital products are created by a global team for a global audience. Locale-based publishing enables teams to work efficiently, reach new audiences as their product grows, be flexible to changes in taste or capacity.
If a digital product gains traction in a market that was not initially anticipated, it is easy to create localized content for the new locale once the initial localized structure is in place. Teams that plan ahead and want to avoid costly redesigns will account for localization from the beginning of the project. With locale-based publishing, teams are able to have the localized structure from the beginning of the project and wait until the team has the capacity to add additional locales. Because the content of the locales exists independently of each other, teams are flexible and their workflows the modern style of a global team.
At Hygraph, locale-based publishing is a straightforward workflow that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of your team. For a detailed look into how to create a localized content within Hygraph, check out our blog post on handling localization in Hygraph.
To start, create a schema with a default locale and at least one other locale
Project admins are able to create, edit, and remove locales under the locales options in settings.
It is important to note that in this step they will also choose the Default Locale which will be the fallback locale. Content must first be published in the default locale before the content for other locales can be created.
Enable locales via the UI
Once teams are ready to start working with an additional locale, they can enable it in the UI. Team members can click the Create item + then on the Document Information sidebar, click the plus sign for the additional locale you wish to add.
You can also disable a locale via this button. If a locale is disabled and a content editor saves the progress, the content for the disabled locale may be lost.
Add, edit, delete content to a single locale
Content editors can add, edit, and delete content to each locale via the UI. Each field will list the different locales where content editors input content. Once you have finished adding content to a specific field, you can press the arrow to the left of the field name to collapse the field for a cleaner UI.
If you are working on content for a single locale and wish to hide all other locale fields without disrupting the content, simply press the eye in the Document Information Sidebar.
Publish content to a single locale
When a team member is ready to publish content for a locale, they can just press publish. Then a popup will appear that allows them to select which locale to publish (teams can also select several).
Teams must first publish the content on their default locales and non-localized fields will always publish the default locale as well.
A note about localized assets
Localized assets work a little bit differently than the other field types. In Hygraph, all assets are localized by default. Localized assets mean that different assets will be published based on the overall final localized frontend. (This can be especially helpful for charts and diagrams.)
To localize an asset, select within the asset picker which locale will be used for the asset. You must first start with the asset for the default locale before any other localized assets can be created.
If localized assets are not added, then the fallback (default locale) asset will be served where applicable.
Localized content is content that is optimized to appear on a specific locale in the presentation layer. Localized content may be content that is translated into another language or that adheres to other specific standards of the locale. Check out our post on “Handling Localization in Hygraph” to learn more.
The Mutations API allows teams to interact with your project content outside of the Hygraph UI using GraphQL. Using the Mutations API, teams are able to add and update content, delete content, set content to publish, and much more. For more on the Mutations API, dive into our developer docs on Mutations.
The default locale is the fallback locale that Hygraph will use if there is not a localized version of a specific content entry. The default locale must always be published first and then content editors are free to add additional locales. For more on the default locale, check out the Docs on localization.
A Fallback locale is the locale where content will be published if there is not a content entry available for a content locale. The fallback locale in Hygraph is also called the default locale. To learn more about the fallback locale, check out the Docs on localization.
Blog Authors
Jing Li
Emily Nielsen
Share with others
Sign up for our newsletter!
Be the first to know about releases and industry news and insights.