For example, if you are planning a vacation, looking for local businesses around your hotel destination can be a daunting task. You’re trying to search for something in a specific location, but Google is constantly giving you results based on where you are. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever wanted to change your location in Google to see local search results from anywhere, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re an SEO professional, marketer, or simply a curious searcher, there are a number of ways to tweak Google and get location specific results. Ok, so let’s get into the step by step methods of how to make this happen!

Why does Google show you results based on your location?

First, let’s address the big question: So why does Google need to know where you are right now?

When you search on Google, Google uses a combination of factors to deliver search results relevant to your physical location, such as your IP address, device settings, browser history, and GPS data. This is awesome if you’re looking for local results for something like “pizza near me” or “gas stations open now.”

But if you want to see results for a different city, state, or even country, then what? For example:

• As an SEO specialist working with clients in another region, you analyze search results.
• You want to locate competitors or businesses in a particular area.
• You’re on the go and you need results that are specific to your location.

So here’s how you can trick Google into believing that you’re searching from somewhere else.

1. Change the Region Settings of Google.

Just like you can change Google’s region settings, you can change your search location.

On Desktop:

• Go to Google Search Settings.
• Click on the Region Settings section.
• Choose the country or region you want results for.
• Click Save to save the changes.

On Mobile:

• Open Google.com in a browser or the Google app.
• In the top right corner, tap your profile picture.
• Go to Settings > Language & Region > Search Region.
• Choose the region you want to choose from the list.

If you select a certain region, you will begin to see search results for that region. It’s good for general searches, but pinpoint precision isn’t always guaranteed.

2. Simulating Location using Chrome Developer Tools

If you’re an SEO pro or developer, do you need exact location based results? You can simulate a different location directly in your browser using Chrome’s built in Developer Tools.

Here’s how:

• Go to Google.com in Google Chrome.
• To open Developer Tools, hit Windows (Ctrl + Shift + I) or Mac (Cmd + Option + I).
• In the Developer Tools pane, click the three vertical dots and select More Tools > Sensors.
• Choose a preset location or enter custom latitude and longitude coordinates in the Geolocation dropdown menu.
• Go to the Google search page and refresh the page.

You can get latitude and longitude coordinates for any location with Google Maps and other tools. If you specify a geolocation, the search results will be as if you were in that area.

3. Mask Your IP Address Using a VPN

Virtual Private Network (VPN) lets you change your IP address so it appears you’re connecting from somewhere else.

Steps to use a VPN for Google search:

• Select a good VPN service (NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark).
• Enable the VPN on your device.
• Choose a server in the region or country you want.
• Go to a browser and search in Google.

This is particularly helpful because VPNs don’t only change your location, but also enhance your privacy. The search results will be delivered by Google based on the location of the VPN server, not your actual one.

4. Geolocation Browser Extensions

There are a few Chrome extensions that let you manually set your location so you can see search results for a specific region.

Popular options include:

• Location Guard: You can set a fixed location and even add ‘noise’ to your real location for privacy with this tool.
• Manual Geolocation: With this extension, you can enter your own latitude and longitude coordinates to have precise location control.

How to Use These Extensions:

• Install the extension you want from the Chrome Web Store.
• Set your location following the extension’s instructions.
• Run your search again in Google, reloading.
• Browser extensions are a great way to quickly change geolocation without having to use advanced tools or a VPN.

5. Search with Location Specific Keywords.

The simplest method is sometimes the most effective! By adding location specific keywords to your search query, you can help Google to deliver local results.

For example:

• Instead of searching for “coffee shops” search for “coffee shops in Chicago.”
• If you are doing SEO research, you can also use terms like ‘best marketing agencies in New York.’

It doesn’t change your location, but it tells Google why you’re searching.

6. Change your device’s location settings.

If you’re on a mobile device, you can change location permissions and impact Google results.

On Android:

• Open Settings > Location.
• You can disable location services or change app permissions such as Google.

On iOS:

• Click on Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
• If you don’t want to disable location services altogether, you can change permissions for the Google app.
• If location services are turned off, Google will use your IP address or manual settings.

So, why should SEO professionals be concerned?

For SEO specialists, it’s important to be able to see search results specific to a location. Here’s why:

• Local SEO Analysis: Specific regions are ranked with businesses.
• Competitor Research: Learn how competitors are doing in target markets.
• Content Optimization: It demonstrates to you what localized content is ranking and you can plan your strategy around that.

These methods help you narrow your research and provide better results to clients, whether you’re targeting New York, Tokyo or Sydney.

Conclusion: Control Google Search results from wherever you are.

It’s easier than you think to change your location in Google. Whether you’re a casual user or a seasoned SEO pro, there’s a method for you: Using Chrome Developer Tools, VPNs, or location based keywords, changing Google’s region settings.

If you are an SEO professional or a business owner, you don’t want to leave your local SEO strategy to guesswork. Brew My Idea is a top notch digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, local search optimization and content strategies. Whether you are in the US or the UK, Brew My Idea can help you to stay ahead of the competition and rank for search results.

The next time you need search results for Paris, Tokyo or New York, take control of your location settings and see what Google can do!