Your website may perform well in San Francisco, but struggle to gain visibility in London, New York, or San Diego. This inconsistency can be challenging, especially if you’re focused on reaching the widest possible audience, and it also highlights the importance of understanding location-specific search results.
For SEO strategists, recognizing regional variations requires more than just optimizing Google’s algorithm: it involves creating personalized experiences that resonate with diverse audiences around the world. One of the first steps is understanding how search results differ by location.
This guide will explain how to view Google search results across multiple locations, whether by country, city, or neighborhood, so you can refine your SEO strategy and expand your reach both near and far.
Why are search results different based on location?
When a user enters a query into Google, the search results are personalized based on their location, meaning that someone in location A will see different results than someone in location B. This location-based personalization (or localization) improves the user experience by providing information that is more relevant to their specific area.
Google determines a user’s location by analyzing several factors:
Device location
Google Maps data
Account Information
Previous research activity
IP Address
Using these signals, Google tailors search results to align with local intent. For example, searching for “coffee shops” in Seattle will return different results than the same query in Sydney, ensuring that users get information about businesses nearby, not in distant locations.
How to See Google Search Results for Other Locations: 11 Methods
Mastering how to view localized search engine results pages (SERPs) is essential for SEO professionals looking to refine their strategies. Whether you’re focusing on different countries, cities, or even specific neighborhoods, adjusting your search settings allows you to gather valuable insights that can enhance your global SEO efforts .
Let’s explore some common methods for performing Google searches by location, each with its own benefits and limitations.
Country-level research
1. Adjust your search settings
One of the easiest ways to search Google by country is by adjusting your search settings:
Go to the bottom right corner of the Google homepage and select “Settings.”
From the drop-down menu, choose “Search Settings”.
Click on “Other settings.”
Locate the “Language & region” section.
In the results region, ” scroll through the list or manually enter the country you want to target.
This method is simple and doesn’t require any additional tools, but it only allows you to change your location to one country at a time, which can be time-consuming for large-scale projects.
2. Try a VPN or proxy
Figuring out how to get search results from other countries can be as simple as using a virtual private network (VPN) or proxy server. These tools make it appear as if you’re searching from a different country, providing a more accurate local search experience by changing your IP address to reflect your selected location.
However, be aware that Google may block certain VPN or proxy services, so it’s important to choose a reputable provider. Additionally, VPNs and proxies can slow down your internet connection until you disable them.
3. Use SEO tools
Specialized SEO tools like Ranktracker , Semrush , and Ahrefs offer features specifically designed to track rankings across multiple countries. These tools, especially their rank tracking capabilities, are particularly valuable for SEOs who manage bulk queries and analyze large data sets, as they provide additional SEO insights along with localized SERPs.
It’s important to note that these tools don’t always perfectly replicate actual Google results. Additionally, access to advanced features often requires a paid subscription.
City-level surveys
1. Add a city name to your search query
One simple method is to include the city name in your search query. For example, searching for “best vegan restaurants Chicago IL” will yield results tailored to Chicago. This approach is quick and doesn’t require any special tools or changes to your settings.
2. Use Google URL parameter “&near”
For a slightly more advanced approach to choosing a location for your search results, you can modify your Google search URL by adding ” &near= [cityname] ” to the end. For example, to find coffee shops ” ” in Boston, the URL would be:
https://www.google.com/search?q=coffee+shops&near=boston
This method allows you to target specific locations without adjusting your device’s location settings.
3. Delete location history
If Google apps and devices are tracking your location through location services, clearing this history provides a more neutral view of localized search results. To delete your location history:
Click your profile picture in the top right corner of any Google service.
Select “Manage your Google Account.”
Choose “Data & privacy” from the menu.
Scroll down to ” Timeline ” and click the button.
Click “Turn off.”
Keep in mind that turning off location history may affect personalized features like location-based suggestions and traffic updates.
4. Take advantage of the Ad Preview and Diagnostics tool
While it’s primarily designed to display Google ads in specific locations , this tool can also be useful for SEO purposes. To use it:
Access the Ad Preview and Diagnostics tool .
Enter your search query and choose your city, language and device settings.
View Google search results as if you were searching in the selected location.
5. Use SEO tools
Again, tools like Ranktracker , Ahrefs , AccuRanker , and BrightLocal offer advanced settings for analyzing search results at the city level. These tools allow for bulk queries and additional SEO insights, but they typically require a paid subscription and may not perfectly reflect the experience of your target users.