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Google Removes Country Domains: What It Means for You and SEO

🚨 Big News from Google!

Google has quietly made a major change that will affect everyone who uses Google Search.

If you used to type google.co.in for India
Or google.co.uk for the UK
Or google.com.au for Australia

Now you’ll be automatically sent to google.com.

This is not just a small test or temporary change. Google has done a 301 permanent redirect for all country-specific domains to google.com.

What Does This Mean?

Earlier, if you wanted to search for local results in India, you would go to google.co.in.
If you were in the UK, you’d use google.co.uk, and so on.

But now, no matter which domain you type, Google will take you to google.com and decide your location automatically.

It will still show you local results, but not because of the domain. Instead, it will check your IP address or location settings.

Why Did Google Do This?

Google says the main reason is to:

“Make search results more relevant to you based on where you actually are, not the website you visit.”

This means:

  • If you are in India, you’ll still get Indian news, Indian weather, and local search results, even if you go to google.com.
  • If you fly to the UK tomorrow, your search results will change to match your new location, without you needing to type google.co.uk.

Pros of This Change

âś… Simplified Experience:
You don’t need to remember country domains anymore.

âś… Better for Travelers:
If you travel a lot, you’ll automatically see results from the country you are in, without changing the domain.

âś… Unified Google:
Everyone now uses the same global homepage, making it consistent.

Cons of This Change

⚠️ Country-Specific Domains Lose Value:
Google.co.in or google.co.uk don’t matter anymore for normal users.

⚠️ SEO Strategies Need Updates:
If you are an SEO specialist or a business targeting multiple countries, this changes how you should think about International SEO.

Earlier, websites could target different countries by using country-specific URLs or Google Search Consoles’ country targeting.
Now, Google relies more on:

  • Location-based signals
  • Content language
  • Local backlinks
  • Technical SEO settings like hreflang

Read More..

What Should SEO Professionals Do Now?

If you are into SEO, you need to:

🔧 Check your International SEO strategy.
Focus more on hreflang tags, local content, and geotargeted pages.

🗺️ Optimize for local relevance, not just domains.

🔍 Use Google Search Console’s International Targeting feature carefully. Test how your site performs in different regions.

What About Users Who Want Global Results?

Some users don’t like location-based search. They prefer to see global search results.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Scroll to the bottom of Google.com
    Click on “Settings” > “Search Settings”
    There you can turn off “Region Settings” or change your region manually.

But this is temporary. If you clear your cookies or switch devices, Google will again use your location.

Final Thoughts

This change shows how Google is moving towards a more personalized search experience.
For most people, this will make things easier.

But for people who want control over their search location, this feels like a step back.

If you are a digital marketer or SEO expert, it’s time to rethink your strategy and focus on local intent, not just domain targeting.

FAQs

Q1: Will I still see local results?

Yes, Google will still show you results based on your location, but not because of the domain name. It uses your IP address or phone location.

Q2: Can I still access google.co.in or google.co.uk?

You can type those addresses, but Google will redirect you to google.com automatically.

Q3: How do I change my search location manually?

Go to Settings > Search Settings on google.com and choose your preferred region. But this is temporary.

Q4: Will this affect my website rankings?

If your website targets specific countries, you may need to update your International SEO strategy. Use hreflang tags, create local content, and build region-specific backlinks.

Q5: Why is Google doing this?

Google wants to simplify search and give people results based on where they are, not which URL they visit.

If you found this update useful, share it with friends or colleagues who should know about this important Google change!

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