Google is ending its regional domains: this means browsing and searching through google.com in all countries

Until very recently, people living in different countries were used to accessing Google using specific addresses such as Google is in Spain or google.com.mx in Mexico. These versions, technically known as regional domains or ccTLDs (Country Code Top Level Domains) allowed Google to offer a region-specific experience. However, the company has announced significant changes: ccTLDs are going away and all searches will go through google.com without exception, regardless of the country from which it is accessed.

Although this is a change that will not alter the daily life of the majority, it does mean the closure of a stage relevant to Google's identity in different local markets. This is a significant decision that can change both the way users perceive the search engine and the tools used by digital professionals.

Why did Google regional domains exist?

Initially, the existence of regional domains responded to the objective of providing results adjusted to the country and language of each userAccessing Google.fr in France or Google.it in Italy enabled the default language and displayed relevant local information: national news, nearby businesses, or popular trends in the user's area.

The domain address It was, therefore, a kind of direct gateway to contextualized content. It was especially useful for providing convenience, reducing the need to manually adjust the region or language, and bringing users closer to the information that best suited their immediate environment.

In the case of Spain, the domain .es became the standard for businesses and individuals seeking to strengthen their digital national identity and improve their local positioning in search engines. The same thing happened in other countries with their respective extensions.

Additionally, Google adapted to the cultural and linguistic diversity of territories such as Spain, where there are regional domains such as .cat (Catalonia), .gal (Galicia) or .eus (Basque Country), designed to emphasize the identity of each autonomous community and serve results in their particular languages.

What will be the impact of eliminating ccTLDs?

From the average user's point of view, the change is minimal. Simply by typing addresses like google.co.uk or google.de, the system will automatically redirect to Google com. The search results, however, will continue to be customized by location, your language settings, and your browsing habits. Google has long used IP addresses, account settings, and browser permissions to tailor information to your region.

La personalization of results will remain, but the ability to easily access searches from other countries by typing, for example, google.ca, to see the results as a Canadian user would receive them, will be removed.

The company assures that remains committed to the regulations and interests of each countryThe results and services will continue to comply with local laws, especially regarding privacy, data protection, and sensitive information.

During the transition, more advanced users or those who manage accounts in multiple languages ​​and regions You may need to review your language or region preferences. within Google settings, as well as signing back into some services.

Advantages of unifying under google.com

Centralize access in a single global domain brings with it a series of improvements to Google's infrastructure:

• Less technical complexity: There is no longer a need to manage hundreds of regional versions, which means fewer resources dedicated to maintenance and updates.
• Simultaneous updates and new features: Changes and new features in the search engine can be applied simultaneously worldwide, avoiding delays or differences between countries.
• Consistent brand identity: Removing visual barriers between markets strengthens Google's global image and makes it easier for any user to always access the same recognizable platform.
• User-friendliness: This avoids the confusion of choosing between different versions, which is especially beneficial for people who travel or work from different countries.

This approach allows Google optimize resources and apply innovations such as assistants Artificial Intelligence or security improvements to all users equally, regardless of where they access from.

What will users and digital professionals lose?

Not everything is an advantage, of course. Among the most notable disadvantages is the loss of direct access to other markets: Until now, it was enough to change the domain extension to simulate a search from any country, something useful for both curious users and digital marketing professionals. SEO. More on the implications of Google's control on results.

With the new policy, Simulating searches in other countries requires more steps: from manually changing the region in settings, to using third-party tools like VPN to modify the apparent location.

In the SEO sector, entering a regional URL into Google to check rankings no longer makes sense. It is now necessary to resort to advanced tools like Google Search Console or change the regional settings in the search settings.

There is, furthermore, a emotional and nostalgic factor For many users, domains like google.es or google.fr were part of the digital identity of an entire generation, and their disappearance symbolically represents the transition to a more homogeneous era of web browsing.

Privacy, localization and local regulations

Some voices have expressed concerns about the privacy and tracking of the user after the disappearance of ccTLDs. However, on a technical level, location personalization has been applied for years regardless of the domain through IP geolocation, account settings and device data.

The change simply removes the need for the domain as a geographic reference, but does not introduce new monitoring practicesUsers will still be able to view and modify location permissions and privacy preferences in their Google Accounts.

Regarding regulatory compliance, Google remains committed to respecting the laws of each country, displaying results and applying restrictions in accordance with local laws (for example, regarding child protection, copyright, or access to certain content).

How to check results from other countries?

While it's not as easy as it used to be, Google still offers the option to manually change the region from the search settings. Another alternative is to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to simulate access from another location and thus obtain results specific to a given country.

These solutions are practical for those who work in International SEO or for those who want to check how information appears in other countries, although it requires more steps and technical knowledge than simply editing the address bar.

The role of regional domains in other contexts

It is important not to confuse Google's decision to remove ccTLDs from its search engine with the role that ccTLDs continue to play. regional and territorial domain extensions on the web in general. Extensions like .es, .cat, .eu, .gal or .eus They remain relevant when it comes to creating websites tailored to specific audiences, strengthening local identity, and improving positioning in specific markets.

In Spain, the domain .es It is a reference for companies, organizations, and individuals who wish to highlight their connection to the national market. There are also multilingual domains and others aimed at autonomous communities with a strong cultural and linguistic personality.

Thus, even though Google centralizes search, website owners still benefit from choosing ccTLDs that match their audience, brand objectives, and local SEO strategy. Domain selection therefore remains a strategic decision for online visibility and credibility.

In short, Google's decision to remove ccTLDs and channel all traffic through Google com It represents a pivotal shift in the history of the internet. It prioritizes efficiency and global consistency over market segmentation, in a further step toward the homogenization of the digital experience, without sacrificing local personalization through the use of technology and location data.