How do I set GoogleUK to display pages from the UK

Osem · 25-02-2012, 18:22

Hi, I have GoogleUK set as my default search provider but can't seem to get it to default to 'display pages from the UK' as opposed to 'the web'. The whole point of using GoogleUK is to cut down on US web pages being displayed so it's odd that you can't seem to change the default setting.

I'm not sure if it's relevant but I am using IE9. Can anyone assist please? TVM as always

joglynne · 25-02-2012, 20:29

Are you using google.co.uk ?

Osem · 26-02-2012, 08:25

Yes I am. Despite MS's efforts, I have it installed as my default search engine and my location is shown as London. It's no big deal but each time I do a search the programme defaults to show pages from 'the web' rather than 'display pages from the UK' which gets rather tedious. There doesn't seem to be any means by which to alter this in 'settings'.

jodash · 26-02-2012, 10:11

Im also using IE9 and my google a/c switched,I then found a link that said Igoggle clicked on that and it bought back the UK page

danielf · 26-02-2012, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Yes I am. Despite MS's efforts, I have it installed as my default search engine and my location is shown as London. It's no big deal but each time I do a search the programme defaults to show pages from 'the web' rather than 'display pages from the UK' which gets rather tedious. There doesn't seem to be any means by which to alter this in 'settings'.

You could try reinstalling IE?

Osem · 26-02-2012, 11:00

Thanks for the replies. Just to be clear, GoogleUK is working fine, I just can't get it to display UK webpages by default which is something I'd have thought you'd be able to do fairly simply.

Daniel - why might reinstalling IE make any difference? (not being funny, I really don't know).

danielf · 26-02-2012, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Daniel - why might reinstalling IE make any difference? (not being funny, I really don't know).

Assuming that what you're after should be default behaviour, a reinstall might correct the relevant settings.

joglynne · 26-02-2012, 11:56

Just checked and discovered my Google-co-UK is also defaulting to 'The Web'. Using Firefox 11 I have to manually choose 'Pages from the UK' to ensure a tighter search parameter so it may not be the fault of IE.

**Maggy J** · 26-02-2012, 12:46

I used to be able to choose from the left hand page whether to go with web pages or UK specific but that facility has been missing for about 6 months now.Very tedious.I do tend to add UK to my searches now in a hope that I'll get some UK web pages.

LSainsbury · 26-02-2012, 12:52

Got the Goolge Toolbar installed?

Have aread of this:

http://support.google.com/websearch/...&answer=179386

Osem · 26-02-2012, 16:12

Thanks everyone. I tend to think it's Google not IE related. I'd have thought just using GoogleUK would show up more UK based webpages but the search results I get when switching from the default 'the web' to the 'show pages from the UK' settings are quite noticeable. Does Google want us to be the 51st state I wonder? .......

heero_yuy · 27-02-2012, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Thanks everyone. I tend to think it's Google not IE related. I'd have thought just using GoogleUK would show up more UK based webpages but the search results I get when switching from the default 'the web' to the 'show pages from the UK' settings are quite noticeable. Does Google want us to be the 51st state I wonder? .......

IIRC Googles results are filtered according to where it thinks you are located. It gets this from the IP numbers range. Could it be that the VM IP range that you're on is one that Google thinks is US based?

I think one might test this by using a UK based proxy to access the Google search?

MarkC1984 · 27-02-2012, 12:26

If you have an account with Google, then log in and then run a search. When you have the results up, click on the wheel and click Advanced Search. Scroll down, and find the option for 'Find pages published in particular region' and click on the drop down menu next to that option. Click on the relevant option, then scroll to bottom of page and click Advanced Search. The original search will still be there when you go into advanced search.

This only works if you have a Google account though. Hope this helps.

Osem · 27-02-2012, 19:52

Thanks guys. Not sure I'm up to proxy settings or whatever....

Re the Google account point, I do have an account but rarely sign in. I tried doing so just now and the search response seems a lot better. Even though GoogleUK still defaults to 'the web' the results seem far more UK orientated so if that's what it takes I'm happy (ish) with that. Will see how it goes and report back.

TVM again.

richard s · 02-03-2012, 07:22

Hi Osem

If you make Virgin Media your home page there is a tick box just for UK addresses.