Setting Geo Targeting In Webmaster Tools

[kidder]

I've never bothered to switch on the GEO targeting but today I logged into webmaster tools with the intent of switching it on for the US. Then I thought about how this might impact on my subdomains which are "country" specific. So what do I do? Switch it on and hope for the best? Leave it alone? Or maybe setup each subdomain in webmaster tools and assign each country? Consider travel which is not my game but it's a good example, when you make that country specific association then in theory your limiting your search exposure which would be less than ideal.

[tedster]

Yes, set up each subdomain separately if they each target a different geographic area. And don't put geographic limits on sites that are really targeted to anyone. I'd say you're thinking clearly.

[kidder]

Thanks Ted, do you think the primary setting on the main domain will overide the subs if I set it to USA and just leave the subs as "global"? That is what I wanted to do but if it's a grey area then I will just leave it.

[tedster]

This whole section of the tool is still new and there's no track record for it - but that would be exactly my concern, so if I were to geotarget using this GWT tool, I'd set up each subdmomain as a separate "website" and treat them all independently.

[Smark]

Will my site go down is SERPs on google.com (for IPs outside the US) and regional G domains if I set geo target to the US ?

[tedster]

Stories about that vary so far, so we can't say for sure what will happen. As I said, it's a new tool.

[kidder]

I've come to the consclusion that I'm not going to change the GEO setting until I know a bit more. A bird in the hand as they say..

[WebWalla]

[webmasterworld.com...]

I've had no problems having the main domain with no setting (International use) and a subdomain set for Spain, although it did take 3 months for the setting on the subdomain to take effect.