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  4. Does the physical location of a server effect the local rankings of a site?

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Does the physical location of a server effect the local rankings of a site?

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  • ben_dpp
    ben_dpp last edited by Jan 27, 2016, 7:39 AM

    I've just been running a report on a site and noticed that while they have a .co.uk domain it is hosted on a server in the United States and just wondered if anyone was aware, if the physical location of a server mattered to search engines for ranking purposes especially with local search?

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • ThinkTankSEO
      ThinkTankSEO last edited by Jan 27, 2016, 5:52 PM Jan 27, 2016, 5:52 PM

      Personally, I think where does matter and is counted as another positive indicator that the site is legit if the TLD and location of hosting match.  I only have limited examples to draw from but I recall there being a 2 position increase after moving from Justhost to a Canadian hosting solution for a .ca.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Mobilio
        Mobilio last edited by Jan 27, 2016, 11:24 AM Jan 27, 2016, 11:24 AM

        If your domain is ccTLD (.co.uk) then geolocation of server didn't matter. Of course just need to be fast for that country where users will be.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • GastonRiera
          Gaston Riera last edited by Jan 27, 2016, 10:54 AM Jan 27, 2016, 10:54 AM

          Hi Ben!
          Yes, it affects. 
          That was said by Matt Cutts, check out the videos:
          Can the geographic location of a web server affect SEO? - Youtube - Matt Cutts 
          What impact does server location have on rankings? - Youtube -  Matt Cutts

          Also, here you got other 2 Q&A that where responded with great info.
          Effect of same country server hosting on SEO - Moz Q&A Does the Location of my Server effect my SEO? - Moz Q&A

          In my experience (there aren't servers in Argentina) the affect is minimum. I believe that there are other factors that influence more than the location server's IP.

          Hope I was helpfull.
          GR

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