As we previously mentioned in our posts about Google’s addition of breadcrumbs next to the URL on their search engine results pages (SERPs), Google is also adding regional tags, or geo data, next to the URL. Below is an example of the regional data appearing next to the URL.
This addition to the breadcrumbs is to help users determine the correct region they’re looking for if their search is general. Site owners will be able to manage their settings using Google’s Webmaster tools. However, this update will only occur in two cases.
· Regional tags will only be displayed with sites that have .com or .net addresses because countrycode top-level domains (ccTLDs) are already implied in the URL. (Brazil with .br; Canada with .ca; Japan with .co.jp)
· The geographic info of the site is different from where the original search takes place. For example, if you are located in Burbank, CA, location results in Burbank will not include geo data.
This, in addition to their new ad format and breadcrumbs, is part of Google’s revamp of its interface and finding new ways to make search engine optimization (SEO) as relevant as possible to all users around the world, no matter where they may be.
Written by Chris C.