Geographic Targeting in Google Webmaster Tools
For years we at iCrossing have been making recommendations regarding international optimization. It's a well know fact that international domain extensions, and region specific hosting locations improve rankings within the international search engines. That's still the case, but Google is making it a bit easier.
Within Google's Webmaster Tools you can now "Set Your Geographic Target". Current text found with this section of webmaster tools states:
"Some sites target users for a particular geographic location. For example, a site may target all users within a specific country, or it may target only those users who reside within a very small geographic area within that country.
Within Google's Webmaster Tools you can now "Set Your Geographic Target". Current text found with this section of webmaster tools states:
"Some sites target users for a particular geographic location. For example, a site may target all users within a specific country, or it may target only those users who reside within a very small geographic area within that country.
If your site is targeting users within a particular geographic area, please provide us with the relevant information below, using only the fields that apply to your target audience."
While this is a great feature, and it may decrease the importance of country specific hosting, international domain extensions are still critical (in my opinion). Also, lets not forget about those other engines. =)Labels: google webmaster tools, icrossing