Setting a "Target Country" in GWMT

[WeWontBeAlone]

If I set my Target Country to say, "Canada" it seems that my website does not index in the US very well, and vice versa for USA then it will not rank in Canada. Is that the point of this feature?

If I set the target country to nothing then will it index to all countries?

 

[WeWontBeAlone]

helpo

 

[fullyniche]

If I set my Target Country to say, "Canada" it seems that my website does not index in the US very well, and vice versa for USA then it will not rank in Canada. Is that the point of this feature?

If I set the target country to nothing then will it index to all countries?

Yes, if you do not set any specific country, then it will index to all.

 

[WeWontBeAlone]

Yes, if you do not set any specific country, then it will index to all.

Thanks

 

[Ambitious12]

It will index to every country but that does not make sense,better target for your own country.

 

[Sam Green]

targeting a region does give you a boost in serps within that region, but as you realized it can also make it harder for you to rank outside the region.

 

[InstaRank]

It can give a competitive edge if other 9 sites in top 10 results are not using that option, but make sure 80-90% of searches for those keywords are in a single country otherwise you will lose a lot of traffic.

 

[gary2]

Yes, It will index all the countries if you do not set specific country.

 

[WeWontBeAlone]

I want it to index in Canada, USA, UK, Aus so would it be better to not select a country?

 

[Spintent]

I want it to index in Canada, USA, UK, Aus so would it be better to not select a country?

I was just thinking about this too. Curious to see some answers concerning this.

 

[bartosimpsonio]

This "feature" is also known as "the feature thou shalt NEVER use".

AKA "the shoot yourself in the foot" option in some circles.

 

[Beefsteak]

I want it to index in Canada, USA, UK, Aus so would it be better to not select a country?

Correct. Don't set a target country if you're looking to rank internationally.

This "feature" is also known as "the feature thou shalt NEVER use".

AKA "the shoot yourself in the foot" option in some circles.

It's very situational. Personally, I use it but that's because (in my niche) the only traffic that makes me any noteworthy money is from the U.S.

 

[bartosimpsonio]

It's very situational. Personally, I use it but that's because (in my niche) the only traffic that makes me any noteworthy money is from the U.S.

Doesn't make any sense whatsoever to limit your traffic sources.

 

[Spintent]

Doesn't make any sense whatsoever to limit your traffic sources.

But say your website is targeted to the U.S. Maybe you even have a local business based there, so that's where all your customers are from and other traffic would really be of no use to you. Then would it not make sense to set your target country as the U.S. (or even a more specific territory) in order to position yourself to rank better and higher for your target market?

Not to mention it could even reduce your bounce rate being that it would filter our untargeted visitors.

 

[bartosimpsonio]

But say your website is targeted to the U.S. Maybe you even have a local business based there, so that's where all your customers are from and other traffic would really be of no use to you. Then would it not make sense to set your target country as the U.S. (or even a more specific territory) in order to position yourself to rank better and higher for your target market?

Not to mention it could even reduce your bounce rate being that it would filter our untargeted visitors.

That's just limiting your reach. Millions of Americans are traveling around the world right this minute, entering a internet café in Amsterdam to search for something back home.

The very nature of the Internet is that you got global reach for your local business.

Limiting your audience does not make any sense in organic search. You only limit your audience when you're paying for CPC.