But improving your search engine rankings isn’t easy – especially when you’re dealing with a global marketplace. It’s important to localize your SEO strategy when targeting foreign countries. And while Google may be the world’s favourite search engine, it doesn’t rule the roost everywhere. In fast-growing markets such as China, Russia and South Korea, people still prefer local competitors. And as you might expect, the rules for optimization aren’t the same.

But improving your search engine rankings isn’t easy – especially when you’re dealing with a global marketplace. It’s important to localize your SEO strategy when targeting foreign countries. And while Google may be the world’s favourite search engine, it doesn’t rule the roost everywhere. In fast-growing markets such as China, Russia and South Korea, people still prefer local competitors. And as you might expect, the rules for optimization aren’t the same.

Google is not only the most widely used search engine in the world, but the most visited site, period. Many international Google sites rank highly in their own right – for example Google.in is the 13th most popular site in the world.

Google is not only the most widely used search engine in the world, but the most visited site, period. Many international Google sites rank highly in their own right – for example Google.in is the 13th most popular site in the world.

Beyond these five countries, there are other search engines that run Google a close second within their own spheres of influence. It takes a little research to find the best search engine to concentrate your efforts, depending on your target markets.

Beyond these five countries, there are other search engines that run Google a close second within their own spheres of influence. It takes a little research to find the best search engine to concentrate your efforts, depending on your target markets.

Many SEO rules of thumb still apply whichever search engine you’re targeting. Keywords, for example, are still hugely important. It’s always best to research these for different markets, rather than simply using direct translations. Colloquialisms, abbreviations and other alternative terms might be more popular. All the major search engines have their own keyword tools to help you identify which will work best.

Many SEO rules of thumb still apply whichever search engine you’re targeting. Keywords, for example, are still hugely important. It’s always best to research these for different markets, rather than simply using direct translations. Colloquialisms, abbreviations and other alternative terms might be more popular. All the major search engines have their own keyword tools to help you identify which will work best.

There are other, often subtle differences, depending on the particular search engine you’re targeting. A little research on these will be well worth the time and effort.

There are other, often subtle differences, depending on the particular search engine you’re targeting. A little research on these will be well worth the time and effort.

One major reason for going global with your SEO marketing is you can take advantage of a relative lack of content in other languages. While only around a quarter of online users speak English, most websites are still in the language. The number of Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Portuguese speaking users are growing rapidly, but international businesses have been slow to catch up.

One major reason for going global with your SEO marketing is you can take advantage of a relative lack of content in other languages. While only around a quarter of online users speak English, most websites are still in the language. The number of Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Portuguese speaking users are growing rapidly, but international businesses have been slow to catch up.