Google.co.uk vs Google.com Ranking Problem

[Seraphim]

I'm fairly proficient in SEO, however I've encountered an issue recently that has me stumped.

Problem: I have a 6 month old website, hosted on a 6 year old domain. The site has plenty of backlinks, original content, etc. My goal with the site was to lock down the #1 position in Google.com for it's domain based keywords, however in the process of doing this, the site eventually hit #1 for it's keywords in Google.co.uk, yet it's nowhere to be found in Google.com. Other than being in English, the site has nothing to do with the UK in particular, it isn't hosted in the UK, etc. Although I am happy with the #1 UK listing, the traffic at #1 in Google.com would be 30 times higher. In 7 years of experience with Google SEO, I have never had this happen to a site before, and have no idea what has caused it, or how to correct the issue.

Your feedback, opinions, and thoughts are very much welcomed.

[wussadotcom]

Host or backlinks are from UK based sites?

[Seraphim]

Host or backlinks are from UK based sites?

That's what I thought at first too, but the backlinks are mostly US server based.

[martyn.b]

What about your geographic location? What extension is the domain?

[mike031]

signup for google webmaster tools and re-submit your site, assign appropriate locality, etc.

[Seraphim]

mike031, thanks for the reminder. I've had a Google Webmaster Tools account for some time, just double checked the geographic target, and it was unchecked with a United States default showing in the drop down menu. I check marked the box, selected United States, and then saved it. I have no idea if that will solve the problem, as it may have already been there by default. Worth a shot, though I hope it doesn't isolate the site completely from other keyword markets.

martyn.b, the domain is an .org, and registered to an Oregon resident.

[mike031]

it is often the little problems that cause the most headaches..... when you run into a dead end though, you just have to look things over right from the top, start with the basics... good luck!

[martyn.b]

The best tools anybody who deals in SEO come from Google in my opinion like mike said signup to google webmasters tools, with this you can assign a geo location to target.

Where is your Hosting? This also can play an important role on the loation of the search results.

[Seraphim]

The best tools anybody who deals in SEO come from Google in my opinion like mike said signup to google webmasters tools, with this you can assign a geo location to target.

Where is your Hosting? This also can play an important role on the loation of the search results.

Google Webmaster Tools accounts are monitored by Google quality control specialists. Know who and what Google is before you start building a site list within your account. One account per site is your safest bet.

My site is hosted in California.