What Is Google NCR?

Google's search engine offers country-specific sites. When you enter "Google.com" in the address bar, you're automatically directed to the site most appropriate for the country from which you are visiting Google. If you don't want to automatically go to that country's site, use an alternative Web address for Google.com; this address ends in "/ncr."

Google's country-specific sites are designated by the ending of the URL. Google in Japan, for example, has the URL "Google.co.jp." In France, you'll see "Google.fr" and in the United Kingdom, Google's URL is "Google.co.uk."

Your IP address shows Google the location from which you are visiting the website. All devices with a public Internet connection are assigned an IP address, which is a series of four numbers, each separated with a period. The IPs are assigned by region, so Google reads your IP address, determines the location and automatically redirects you to the country-specific site.

If your IP address is incorrect, Google may redirect you to the wrong country's Google site. To check your IP address, visit WhatIsMyIPAddress.com and view the address and location that show up automatically. If your location is wrong, that likely explains why Google is taking you to the wrong country site. Visit Google's "Report IP Problems" site to enter an incorrect IP for Google to update, if you wish.

If you'd rather visit Google.com without being directed to a country site, type the URL "http://www.google.com/ncr" and bookmark the resulting page. Then, no matter where you are in the world, you can visit this bookmarked page to see the Google.com page.