.ie domain name hosted in Ireland.

Does it help SEO?

[Zeberdy]

I have been informed that a domain name domainname.ie would benefit in a SEO sense from being hosted in Ireland?

Is this correct? If so why?

[jmccormac]

It would be detected by search engines as being an Irish website though it the .ie extension would also have a bearing on it. It is perhaps more important when you have a .com and are trying to get it detected as an Irish site.

Many search engines still use IP detection for geo-location. You could also host on IP space outside of Ireland but local hsoting is always best when targeting a specific country.

Regards...jmcc

[EBear]

FWIW, I suspect that Yahoo is also using WHOIS information to decide which sites are "Irish". It may less weight than IP or TLD though.

[Zeberdy]

Thanks for your responses

Its answered that question - however its got me thinking of many more?! this SEO business goes on and on.....