Have you ever wondered how to search on Google from another country? Or why the results change depending on where you are? If you have ever performed a search with a simple term, such as “coffee shop” in your city and then performed the same search again in another location, you have probably noticed that the results were not the same. This is no coincidence, this is local SEO in action!
Google, in its vast array of sites, adapts its results depending on the geographic location you occupy, that is, where the search is performed, which turns out to be a key factor for any business that wants to position itself locally. This means that, if you think about expanding your business to another country or region, it is essential to investigate how the results and keywords vary in that specific area.
Let’s use another search case, for example, such as “open pharmacy” in the city of Madrid. If you search for this in that location, it is 100% likely that Google will show you results based on nearby pharmacies. But, if you do the same search while traveling to another province or country, you will see a completely different list of pharmacies.
How to use our local search tool?
Now, the million-dollar question… What if you can’t physically be there? Don’t worry! There are tools designed to solve this problem, allowing you to view search results as if you were in another city, state, or country.
At Enjoy Minder, we have developed a free tool, thanks to which you can simulate geolocalized searches anywhere in the world. This way, you can plan your SEO strategy adapted to the exact location where you want to grow your business.
The best part? It’s super easy to use, 100% free, and will allow you to get local results in just a few clicks. Below, I’ll take the time to explain how you can take advantage of it to optimize your local SEO strategy and take a step forward in your expansion.
Why do Google results vary by country?
As you may know, Google search results are not universal but vary according to the user’s geographic location, and this is no coincidence. What happens is that Google uses various factors to offer personalized results depending on the country you are in.
Some of the key factors that influence this variation include physical location, predominant language, cultural preferences, and regional search behaviors, among others. So what appears at the top of a search query in one country may be completely different in another.
Factors affecting search results by country
If you are in another country, whether on vacation or on a business trip and decide to perform a search with Google (or any other search engine), you should consider the following factors:
Geographic location
Google will tailor its results based on your exact location, as long as you have your mobile device’s GPS activated. This is crucial for local searches like “coffee shop near me” or “supermarket open,” where proximity to the business or service is a determining factor.
Let’s take another example: if you are in Buenos Aires and search for a “pharmacy on duty”, Google will prioritize results for nearby pharmacies based on your current location. These types of settings ensure that the information you receive is useful and accessible based on your location on the map.
Language
Just like in real life, language is a barrier that can limit many human actions, but thanks to the Internet (and translators ) this is not such a big deal nowadays.
The language in which you search also has a significant impact on the results. While it may seem like a search in Spanish should yield the same results in any Spanish-speaking country, Google makes adjustments based on the predominant language variant in each region. However, if you are in an English-speaking country and search for something in Spanish, the result will most likely be in that language.
For example, if you search for “ digital marketing agency in Spain,” you’re likely to find sites that use Spanish from Spain, such as local agencies and portals. If you do the same search in Mexico, however, Google may prioritize Mexican sites or use more local terms, such as “digital strategy agency in Mexico.”
These differences help to personalize the results so that they better adapt to the linguistic and cultural reality of each place.
Regional preferences
Users’ search preferences and habits may also vary depending on the region they are in. Google thus adjusts results based on the trends that generate the most interest in each country.
For example, the most popular electronic products sought in Japan are not the same as those in Brazil or France, since brands do not penetrate all markets in the same way, and it is known that in Japan there is a great predominance of national brands, a product of the protection of the national industry of the country itself.
Back to the case, this local approach allows Google to show more relevant results for each market. Also, search trends, such as news, entertainment or consumer products, can change drastically between countries, which generates additional personalization of results.
Local legislation and restrictions
Local legislation and restrictions also play a crucial role in search results. In some countries, access to certain content or websites may be limited for legal reasons, whether due to censorship, inefficient or non-existent democratic systems, copyright protection, or government regulations.
It is therefore logical to understand that in countries where devices are tapped, or which are not democratic, access to information is much more restricted. As can be seen in the following map prepared by Statista, we can find an update made up to 2023:
Now, this article is not intended to discuss the democratic systems of each area of the world, so let’s get back to our point: Google adjusts the results according to these regulations to comply with local laws.
For example, in countries where certain social media sites or websites are blocked, search results will avoid showing links to those sites. Also, if there are restrictions on explicit, political, or cultural content in a specific region, Google may filter those results to fit local regulations, which may limit the information shown compared to other countries.
Domain and local version of Google
In addition to the factors mentioned above, the Google domain you use (.com, .in, .es, .fr, etc.) also influences the results, and it will clearly depend on your location. Although it is true that this element can be easily modified in the URL by any user, the results will still be influenced by the geographic and linguistic factors already mentioned.
Google customizes each version of its search engine to reflect the needs and context of each country. For example, when using “ Google.co.in” in India, the algorithm will prioritize content relevant to that country, while “Google.com.ar” will prioritize content that is most important to users in Argentina.
Importance of geolocation in SEO
Geolocation is a key part of SEO strategies, especially for businesses that rely heavily on local traffic. In order to attract users from a specific region, it is necessary to optimize a website, which will allow you to make a big difference in positioning. This is where Local SEO comes into play, allowing companies to stand out when nearby users search for products or services in their respective area.
In addition to the above, it is worth remembering that, in many cases, it is positive to include keywords that reference the location. For example, you can search for “technical service in Barcelona” or “clothing store in Santiago de Chile”, which will significantly improve visibility in local search results.
Additionally, if you get used to using tools like Google My Business, you can modify your businesses and optimize their presence for geolocalized searches, increasing the chances of being found by nearby customers.
Frequently asked questions about the local search tool
Which countries can I direct my search to?
The emulator designed by the Enjoy minder team allows you to perform searches on Google as if you were in another country, without location limits.
Are searches in these locations accurate?
Yes, our custom search tool emulates the location of your search engine as if you were in the selected city or country, with the greatest precision.
Can I increase the limit of results per page?
That’s right, this tool has no limitations on the number of results you can select per page. Although we recommend keeping the number of results to 10 per page.
Is there a search limit?
Our tool is completely free, with no search limitations. You can use it as many times as you want to search websites from other countries.
Use our tool to do your local searches!
In conclusion, if you use our local search tool, you will be able to see how Google results vary depending on geographic location, language, and the cultural and legal preferences of each region. The importance of local SEO is essential for businesses looking to position themselves in new markets.
Our local search tool will allow you to simulate searches from anywhere in the world, making it easier to plan your SEO strategy without having to physically travel.
It’s free, easy to use, and perfect for getting the results you need in any location!
At Enjoy Minder we can help you with your local SEO strategy!
If you think that carrying out a digital marketing strategy focused on local SEO is complicated, then we offer you our services as a digital marketing agency.
At Enjoy Minder, we have a team of professionals specialized in digital marketing strategies adapted to the needs of each market. If you want to improve the local positioning of your business, optimize your SEO or expand your presence internationally, we are here to help you.
Don’t hesitate to contact us and take your digital strategy to the next level!
