Country code domains Google treats like .com
The full list of country code domains Google treats as generic (gccTLDs), like .io, .ai, .co, .me and .tv, which can rank in the US and worldwide, and what it means for your site.
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Normally, Google treats a country ending as a sign that a site is aimed at that country. A .de site is assumed to target Germany, and a .co.uk site the UK. But Google makes an exception for a list of country codes that people around the world use as general-purpose endings. Google calls them generic country code top-level domains (gccTLDs) and treats them like .com, so they can rank in the US and anywhere else.
The list
| Ending | Country or territory | Popular as |
|---|---|---|
| .ad | Andorra | Advertising |
| .ai | Anguilla | Artificial intelligence |
| .as | American Samoa | General use |
| .bz | Belize | Business |
| .cc | Cocos (Keeling) Islands | General use |
| .cd | Democratic Republic of the Congo | CDs, "code" |
| .co | Colombia | Company |
| .dj | Djibouti | DJs and music |
| .fm | Micronesia | Radio and podcasts |
| .io | British Indian Ocean Territory | Tech and startups |
| .la | Laos | Los Angeles |
| .me | Montenegro | Personal sites |
| .ms | Montserrat | General use |
| .nu | Niue | "New", "now" |
| .sc | Seychelles | General use |
| .sr | Suriname | General use |
| .su | Former Soviet Union | Legacy ending |
| .tk | Tokelau | General use |
| .tv | Tuvalu | Video and streaming |
| .ws | Samoa | "Website" |
Google can change this list at any time. .ai was added in 2023 as it became associated with artificial intelligence. Check Google's documentation on multi-regional sites for the current list.
What it means for you
- You can rank in the US with a .io, .ai, .co or .me name, just like with a .com.
- Google won't assume you're local to that country, so you can target any country you like.
- Other country codes, like .de, .fr or .com.au, still tell Google the site is for that country.
- Generic endings (.com, .net, new gTLDs) are always treated as global too.
Things to keep in mind
- They're still country endings, so each country's registry sets the rules and prices.
- Some, like .ai and .io, cost several times more than .com each year.
- Other search engines and your visitors may still see them as foreign. Your content and branding matter more.
Questions
Can a .io or .ai site rank in the US?
Yes. Google treats .io, .ai and the other generic country codes like .com, without tying them to their country.
Does Google treat .co as Colombian?
No. .co is on Google's list of country codes treated as generic.