Canadian DOT CA domain host in USA

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by my_bk2000, Oct 6, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hi, I have a question,

    In terms of SEO, Is there any difference to host a .CA domain in USA or Canada ?

    Should I host in Canada or USA ? I head if host .CA domain names in USA instead of Canada, It is not good for Search Engine, Is it true ?

    Thanks in advance
     
    my_bk2000, Oct 6, 2009 IP
  2. internetmarketingiq

    internetmarketingiq Well-Known Member

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    #2
    The real question is do search engines care about the IP of the site host or the user.

    When I visit sites Google is very good at GEO Targeting my IP address. Thus I see local ads more often than not even if I don't want them.

    Example: Lets say I'm looking to go to Miami, FL... I search for car rentals and Adsense displays ads for car rentals from my local home town.

    I would choose the best host and let Geo Targeting do it's job.

    If you want an expert opinion I think asking people at .uk domains would be a great place to start. I know several webhosting firms that sell services in their own countries that actually use co location in the United States.

    I wouldn't go so far as it makes no difference at all... that would be speculative. I would say if it does make a difference it is very very low on the list of importance.

    I could conceive of a case where all things being equal there could be a remote possibility that a Canadian Searcher would be steered towards a Canadian Hosted site... but there are so many things of greater importance in ranking. Google seems to measure and track just about everything.
     
    internetmarketingiq, Oct 6, 2009 IP
  3. webdev007

    webdev007 Active Member

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    #3
    Hosting location doesn't impact on SEO.
     
    webdev007, Oct 6, 2009 IP
  4. jagged

    jagged Peon

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    #4
    Hosting the .ca in the us doesn't matter that much. What i would do is specify your targeted location in places like webmaster tools for google.
     
    jagged, Oct 6, 2009 IP
  5. Canonical

    Canonical Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Server location does affect rankings, especially for country coded top level domains like .ca, .co.uk, etc. You might want to check out this quick video from Matt Cutts on the topic. It likely gives you a slight edge over other domains trying to rank in Google.ca which are NOT hosted in Canada, but it's not a show stopper.
     
    Canonical, Oct 6, 2009 IP