What to Know:
– Google’s John Mueller clarifies the importance of server location for localized traffic.
– Hosting a European Union (EU) domain in the United States can still attract localized traffic.
– Mueller suggests using a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) to target specific countries.
– He also recommends using hreflang tags to indicate language and regional targeting.
– Mueller advises against using a generic top-level domain (gTLD) for localized targeting.
– He emphasizes the importance of providing localized content and user experience.
The Full Story:
Google’s John Mueller recently addressed the issue of hosting a European Union (EU) domain in the United States and how it can impact localized traffic. In a Google Webmaster Central hangout, Mueller clarified that server location is not the only factor that determines localized traffic. He provided specific strategies for increasing localized traffic to a EU domain hosted in the US.
Mueller suggested that using a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) can help target specific countries. For example, using a .de domain for Germany or a .fr domain for France. This can signal to Google that the website is intended for users in those specific countries, even if the server is located elsewhere.
In addition to using ccTLDs, Mueller recommended using hreflang tags to indicate language and regional targeting. Hreflang tags help search engines understand which language versions of a page to serve to users based on their location. This can further enhance the localization of a website, even if it is hosted in a different country.
On the other hand, Mueller advised against using a generic top-level domain (gTLD) for localized targeting. For example, using a .com domain for a website targeting users in Germany may not be as effective as using a .de domain. While it is still possible to attract localized traffic with a gTLD, using a ccTLD is generally a better option for targeting specific countries.
Mueller also emphasized the importance of providing localized content and user experience. This includes translating the website into the local language, using local currency, and providing relevant information for users in the target country. By tailoring the website to the local audience, it can increase the chances of attracting localized traffic, regardless of the server location.
While server location can have some impact on localized traffic, Mueller’s advice suggests that it is not the sole determining factor. By using ccTLDs, hreflang tags, and providing localized content, website owners can still attract targeted traffic to a EU domain hosted in the US.
In conclusion, hosting a EU domain in the US does not necessarily mean that localized traffic cannot be achieved. Google’s John Mueller suggests using ccTLDs and hreflang tags to target specific countries and indicate language and regional targeting. He advises against using gTLDs for localized targeting and emphasizes the importance of providing localized content and user experience. By following these strategies, website owners can increase their chances of attracting localized traffic, regardless of the server location.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-to-increase-localized-traffic-to-eu-domain-hosted-in-us/504661/