Lets start with an example: if I search for the words "shoes" in www.google.com, I get results back from websites globally. Page one of the results is dominated by .com domains. Page two forward of results start showing some global domains in the results such as .uk, .es, .org, .tv etc.
If I repeat the search for "shoes" as above in www.google.co.in I get results which appear to weight higher domains in the UK. (Please note I am searching "the web" when executing this search, also no Indian page was there). Does Google give additional relevance to search results that originate from the same domain as the Google domain? I don’t think so.
Next I initiate a search in www.google.co.in for "shoes" and check the box "pages from India". Results returned are from domains other than India. In fact the very first result is from a .com domain, but the company seems as Indian one. Does the possibility exist the results returned are from .in domains and domains registered in India?
Now, there are few factors which can be considered for these situations:
1. Hosting: Where ever you will place your site, you can be seen as the site of that region. Hosting in a particular country makes your site as the site of that country.
2. Country specific content: Not looks like a big deal, but yes if we are using the content of the site as specific to that particular country, we are sure to count as the site of that particular country. Like if we are using the currency symbol of that particular country, and then it is specifically clear that site belongs to that particular country.
3. Country specific domain: As if your sites deal with Indian market, so you can choose the .in domain name. But here comes one big question? If you have the domain name of .i.n but you are hosting your site in US, then what will happen? As far as I think, your site will still be considered as an Indian site. But if you are an Indian site and still using the domain name .com then your hosting will become the most important criteria for your country. If your site is hosted in US then it should be considered as an US site.
4. Links from specific domains: As if your site is having the domain name .com only, but you are getting many links from .in type site. Hence your site must be considered as an Indian site. So if you want to come good in for a regional search, try to get as many links as possible from those specific regional sites.
5. Address of the Whois registrant: This is also one of the big factor. If your site is dealing with Indian market and your address (whois address) is also from India, your site is having more point to be considered as an Indian site.
6. Listing in Dmoz: Listing in Dmoz and that is also specific to a regional category is also a factor to consider your site as the site of that region.
7. IP: The IP of your site should belong to that particular region.
After searching a lot I found these many factors. I hope to get some more factors as the comment from visitors.
