Different SERPs positions UK - Ireland

[seosogood]

Hi there!

I've been checking rankings in UK and Ireland for the last months and I found something really interesting...

"Belfast + keyword" - UK = 2º position / Ireland = 1º position

"keyword + Belfast" - UK = 14º position / Ireland = 1º position

*(same keyword)

I don't understand how it is possible... Website is not geo-targeted so Google has no preference for any of these countries...

Any ideas about why does it happen?

[Matt-Williamson]

Hi

Are you using an international domain such as .com or are you using a country specific domain as this is one obvious way Google can determine your location other than in Search Console. If you are using an international domain Google looks at several factors to determine your location including IP Address, any address listings on your site, Google My Business and even links to your site.

Have a look here - https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/62399?hl=en

Hope this helps!

Matt

[seosogood]

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your response.

We are using a .com domain and we didn't set a specific location because website target Ireland & North Ireland (UK) so we try to rank in both "countries".

We are top 1 website in Google Ireland but Google UK doesn't love us sooo much.

[katemorris]

Even though you don't have any geo-targeted sections, there are other indications on your site that let them know you are targeting Ireland and Google might be optimizing for that.

With that said, how are you checking these rankings? Do these keywords send you large amounts of traffic? Check Search Console. Are you having an issue getting UK traffic (North Ireland)? Are you worried about UK traffic due to North Ireland?

I am worried that what you are seeing is due to your own search history and settings and/or Google seeing the same search a few times and testing out different results. There might also be different competition in the Northern Ireland market. There is a ton that could explain this, but alas, as with most things SEO, it's hard to pinpoint.