Geographic target - settings in WMT and international rankings?

[bobsc]

In webmaster tools - what's the difference between Geographic target not set(unchecked) and set to Unlisted?

I have a ecommerce site in the US with the Geographic target set to Unlisted.

My main keyword ranks on page 1 on google.ca, google.it, google.com.tr, etc., but ranks on page 13 on google.com(however, prior to March 1, 2012 I did rank on page 1 on google.com).

I only ship products in the US and to Canada. So, how can my site be more relevant(rank better) in Italy, Turkey,... and less relevant(rank poorer) in the US.

Something strange happened approximately on March 1, 2012!

[tedster]

Is your domain a .com (or some other "international TLD)?

[bobsc]

It's a .com

[Igal Zeifman]

[I only ship products in the US and to Canada. So, how can my site be more relevant(rank better) in Italy, Turkey,... and less relevant(rank poorer) in the US. ]

You have to think of this in a relative terms. You are not ranking better because you seem to be more relevant - you do so due to a lack of competition.

My guess (no KW provided so I got to guess) is that this got a lot to do with Geo-Targeting. I you competitors all target US/Canada and you set your self to "not set" you will be in disadvantage in US/Canad (compared to more geo-focused) sites and in advantage in other places not selected by your competition.

Also you might be experiencing "Google Dane" or just have an Internet history cookie activated (or some other scenario...)

Tell me your KW and maybe I can give you a more specific answer.

[Robert Charlton]

Tell me your KW and maybe I can give you a more specific answer.

Hi Igal Zeifman, and welcome to WebmasterWorld. We don't discuss specific keywords here... we use generalized descriptions, like as "widgets", "highly competitive", "local niche market" and so on. Lots of folks here are selling "widgets". ;)

For more details, please check out our posting guidelines in the Google Search Forum Charter [webmasterworld.com].

[bobsc]

I you competitors all target US/Canada and you set your self to "not set" you will be in disadvantage in US/Canad (compared to more geo-focused) sites and in advantage in other places not selected by your competition.

Well, there is no way to ONLY target both the US AND Canada.

Although, I'm not really sure what "not set" targets.