Geo-Targeting

Why It Matters

Geo-targeting ensures your content reaches the right audience in the right location. Proper configuration improves local rankings in target countries, prevents ranking in wrong regions, and helps search engines understand which geographic markets you're targeting. Critical for multi-regional businesses.

How It Works

Geo-targeting signals come from domain structure (ccTLDs, subdomains, subdirectories), hreflang tags, server location, Google Search Console geographic target settings, and on-page content signals like currency, address, and phone numbers. Search engines combine these signals to determine target markets.

Use Cases

• A UK company uses .co.uk domain and sets UK targeting in Search Console to rank in British search results
• A global retailer uses subdirectories (site.com/uk/, site.com/de/) with geo-targeting for each region
• A SaaS company targets multiple markets using hreflang and localized content with regional pricing

Best Practices

• Choose appropriate URL structure: ccTLDs for strong local presence, subdirectories for easier management
• Set geographic target in Google Search Console for generic TLDs (.com, .org)
• Host content on servers in target regions when possible for better performance
• Include local signals: currency, addresses, phone numbers in local formats
• Create locally relevant content, not just translations of global content
• Build local backlinks from sites in your target geographic markets