Is a .CA Domain Good for SEO in Canada in 2025?

You’ve built your website, optimized your pages, and even run ads. But when you search for Toronto bakery or Vancouver plumber, your site is buried on page three.

Frustrating, right? One often-overlooked reason might be your domain. As of 2025, there are over 9.09 million .CA domains registered, and for good reason. 

Studies also show that 91% of Canadians prefer local websites in their search results. If your site doesn’t carry that local identity, you’re likely losing out on both traffic and trust.

So, is a .CA domain really good for SEO in Canada?

Absolutely. 

It’s more than just a country code. It’s a signal to Google that you’re local, trustworthy, and relevant. 

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly why .CA domains outperform .COM for Canadian searches, how to use yours effectively, and five practical steps to get better rankings starting today.

Why a .CA Domain Helps You Rank Better in Canada

The .CA domain, managed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), is Canada’s official country-code top-level domain (ccTLD). 

It’s restricted to individuals or businesses with a Canadian presence, which gives it instant authenticity and credibility.

The reasons why a .CA domain is a powerful SEO tool for any Canadian business are:

1) It Boosts Local Relevance

Search engines like Google use domain extensions to determine locational importance. A .CA domain instantly tells Google that your  site is made for Canadians.

If you run a local service like say, a cleaning company in Vancouver cleaning or a tax consultant company in Ottawa, Google will prioritize your .CA domain for Canadian users searching within that area.

In fact, according to HostingCanada (2025), .CA domains outperform generic .COM sites by up to 25% in local search visibility. That’s a significant advantage for small businesses trying to capture location-based traffic.

2) It Builds Trust and Credibility

Canadians are cautious about where they shop and which sites they trust. Having a .CA domain sends a strong message: you’re local, verified, and compliant with Canadian regulations.

CIRA reports that .CA domains have one of the lowest malicious-use rates in the world, just 0.9%. That security translates to consumer confidence. Users are more likely to click on your site because it feels safer and more authentic.

Studies also show that .CA domains can boost click-through rates (CTR) by as much as 20% because users instinctively trust local domains.

 3)  It Aligns with Canadian Search Intent

A huge 63% of Canadians prefer buying from local brands, and Google’s algorithm mirrors that preference. When your site uses a .CA domain, it matches the intent of local searchers.

This leads to higher engagement rates, longer site visits, and lower bounce rates, all of which tell Google your site deserves better rankings.

So, in short: a .CA domain helps you speak Google’s language and your audience’s.

How .CA Compares to .COM for SEO in Canada

This is one of the most common questions business owners ask: should I go with .CA or .COM? The answer depends on your audience, but if your focus is Canada, .CA is the clear winner.

When .CA Outperforms .COM

Better Geo-Targeting 

Google automatically associates .CA sites with Canada.

As Google’s John Mueller confirmed, ccTLDs like .CA carry strong country signals. That means when someone searches “best coffee shop in Ottawa,” .CA domains are 15–25% more likely to appear higher.

Higher Click-Through Rates

Canadians naturally click on familiar extensions. A local domain gives you a psychological edge, people know they’re supporting a Canadian business.

Less Competition

With just over 3 million .CA domains compared to more than 150 million .COMs ,ranking opportunities are easier to capture locally.

When .COM Might Be Better

If you plan to expand globally, a .COM might make more sense. It’s internationally recognized and signals broader availability. However, for Canadian businesses focused on local audiences, that global reach can actually dilute your SEO signals.

How to Optimize Your .CA Domain for SEO

Now that you understand why .CA domains are great for SEO, let’s look at how to make yours work harder for you. These steps are based on proven recommendations from CIRA, Truehost, and Canadian SEO agencies like seoplus+.

1) Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile 

Google Business Profiles are key for local visibility. According to Whitespark, in 2024 alone local searches went up to 70%.  When you optimize Google Maps you  boost your appearance in the Search engine results .

How to Do It:

•  Go to Google Business and claim your profile.
• Use your .CA domain as your website link.
• Add accurate details – name, address, phone, business hours, and photos.
• Post weekly updates and respond to reviews.

2) Use Local Keywords Strategically

Your .CA domain gives Google a strong local cue, but pairing it with the right keywords makes it unbeatable.

How to Do It:

• Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find city-based terms like Calgary roofer or Winnipeg accountant.
• Naturally include them in your titles, meta descriptions, and homepage content.
• If possible, use keywords in your domain name, like VancouverPlumber.ca.

3) Keep Your Business Info (NAP) Consistent Everywhere

Consistency builds trust with Google. If your name, address, and phone number (NAP) vary across listings, search engines get confused and rank you lower.

How to Do It:

• Ensure the same NAP details appear on your website, Google profile, and online directories like Yelp or Yellow Pages.
• Use tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal to audit and fix inconsistencies.

4) Build Local Backlinks and Citations

Google treats backlinks like votes of confidence. Links from other Canadian websites reinforce your authority and location relevance.

How to Do It:

• Write guest posts for local blogs or news outlets.
• Partner with nearby businesses for cross-promotion.
• Join regional business directories.

5) Add Local Schema Markup

Schema helps Google understand your business better and display rich snippets like ratings and addresses in search results.

How to Do It:

• Use LocalBusiness Schema in JSON-LD format.
• Include your name, address, phone number, reviews, and business hours.
• Validate using Google’s Rich Results Test tool.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Is a .CA domain really good for SEO in Canada?

Yes. Studies show .CA domains perform 15–25% better than .COMs for local Canadian searches.

How does .CA affect Google rankings?

Google prioritizes country-specific domains like .CA when users search from Canada as Google’s says.

Can .CA domains help with voice search?

Yes. Locally optimized .CA sites rank higher for “near me” voice queries.

 Should I switch from .COM to .CA?

If your audience is primarily Canadian, yes. Just set up 301 redirects to retain SEO value.

How long does SEO improvement take?

You’ll see quick wins like GBP boosts within 2–4 weeks, but full optimization takes 3–6 months.

Strengthen Your SEO and Brand with Truehost

By now, you know that .CA domains do more than make your website look Canadian, they actively improve your SEO. 

They boost trust, support local search intent, and connect you directly with Canadian audiences.

If your goal is to rank higher and win more local customers, it’s time to secure your .CA domain. Truehost.ca makes it easy and affordable.

With registration starting at just $9.39 CAD, full WHOIS privacy, and CIRA-accredited reliability.

You can register your .CA domain in minutes. Simply verify your Canadian presence like citizenship or business registration, complete checkout, and your domain will activate within 1–3 days.

Ready to Build Your Canadian SEO Advantage?

Visit Truehost.ca today.

Claim your domain, connect with local audiences, and start ranking where it matters most, right here in Canada.