# gl — Google's country / geolocation parameter

- Canonical: https://linkclean.app/trackers/gl/
- Updated: 2026-07-20
- Author: Ken Tominaga (https://ken0nek.com)
- Get the app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/linkclean/id6758604043

Parameter: `gl` · Category: Region & language (preserved) · Vendor: Google (Search, Maps, Shopping) · functional — preserved

> `gl` stands for “geolocation” — it tells Google services (Search, Maps, Shopping) which country to scope results to. `gl=us` returns US-relevant results; `gl=jp` returns Japan-relevant results. **Functional, not tracking.** LinkClean preserves it.

## What gl actually does

Where `hl` controls *interface language* (which language Google's UI is rendered in), `gl` controls *result region* (which country the results are localised to). They can be set independently — `hl=ja&gl=us` gives you Japanese UI but US-localised results.

gl values are ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes: `us`, `gb`, `jp`, `de`, `fr`, etc. They affect Search results' ranking (Google biases toward sources from that country), Maps' default region, and Shopping's currency / merchant pool.

## Why it's not tracking

gl is a preference state, like hl. It doesn't carry identity, doesn't follow your click anywhere, and isn't tied to a cookie. Forwarding `gl=jp` tells the recipient's Google session to localise to Japan — that may or may not be what you intended, but it doesn't leak who you are.

## How LinkClean handles it

Preserved on every host. Paired with hl in the language/region exemption set — both are documented in the glossary but never stripped.

## Example

Example URL: `https://www.google.com/search?q=ramen&gl=jp&hl=ja`

LinkClean preserves this parameter — no change.

## Frequently asked

**What's the difference between gl and hl?**

gl is the country (which region's results to return); hl is the language (which language to render the UI in). They can be set independently.

**What values does gl take?**

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes: `us`, `gb`, `jp`, `de`, `fr`, `br`, etc.

**Does LinkClean strip gl?**

No. gl is in the same explicit exemption set as hl, lang, setlang, and `v` (YouTube video ID).

**Will the results change if I keep gl?**

Yes — Google biases ranking and merchant pools toward the named country. That's the point of the parameter.


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