Google Now Showing Localized Search Results Based on IP Address
As of yesterday evening, Google’s search results are now automatically customized geographically based on each user’s IP address. Previously, Google did customize search results for users that were logged into their Google accounts, or had cookies enabled (which would be the majority of people). But now, even if you have manually turned off your cookies, Google search results will now be customized geographically whether you like it or not.
Geographical customization does make sense for certain industries. However, for many online industries, it makes no sense at all. If you were searching for something like web hosting services, online education resources, or product reviews, wouldn’t you want to see search results that are actually relevant - not ones where the company headquarters simply happen to be local? I know I would.
Customized search results can make SEO more complicated. What happens if you have SEO clients? They will probably be seeing very different results from the ones you are seeing. Until you are in the top spots where you see major traffic increases, how can you effectively measure your progress? How will search engine ranking tracking services report their results?
When it comes to Google, there are always changes and surprises around every corner. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and how it affects traffic across the board.
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February 14th, 2009 at 2:17 am
Interesting post. Google is really working hard to deliver good search result to their users but the idea of a localized search result based on IP isn’t entirely sound.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:39 am
I’ve witness this issue first hand with one of my clients based in France (I’m in Switzerland). The only way to “be in his shoes” was to run the Google.fr search on a proxy server located in their country.
A quick example. Using Google France, I get two different positions for this .fr site based on my IP, whether I’m in France or Switzerland. But who’s to say that this site is more French than the other, when both have .fr domains and have a business address in France? If I’m on Google.fr it means I want the Google France results, Sherlock! If I wanted my search results to be tailored to my country, I would use google.ch, which comes by default anyway when I type http://google.com
It is madness!
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Thanks for giving this information. I am searching for how to change the ip address. and also i found a website for chk the ip address from http://www.ip-details.com/ at a free of cost.
August 18th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I am trying to do a country based local classified site.
It was a help to me.
Thanks.