Google's algorithm and new gTLDs

The recent Google's "Inside Search" report (see "The official Google Search blog) reports an interesting change which could be adapted to new domain names coming in 2013.

One of the fourty updates for the month of February says:

"Refreshed per-URL country information. [Launch codename “longdew”, project codename “country-id data refresh”] We updated the country associations for URLs to use more recent data."

Olivier Andrieu, SEO consultant for Abondance.com, translates it in French: "Meilleure identification du pays au travers des URL". I understand a country is better identified because of the .fr country code Top-Level Domain.

Adapted to a new string like "rugby" or "wine"...would it make a difference in terms of positioning on Google?

Mr Cutts, would you help us with this one please?

Search quality highlights: 40 changes for February: report.

.BANGALURU Top-Level Domain

.BENGALURU is the new gTLD project for the city of Bruhat Bangaluru (Bangalore).

.OKINAWA Top-Level Domain

City of Okinawa - Japan - will apply for its own domain name extension using partner GMO Registry.

GMO Registry will be applying for a certain number of Japanese city names such as:

• Tokyo;
• Okinawa;
• Osaka and
• Ryukyu.

Check Registries.tel for competing applications.

.OSAKA Top-Level Domain

According to a post from Kevin Murphy, the prefecture of Osaka - Japan will apply for its new generic Top-Level Domain through GMO Registry:

• Read article here;
• Press release here (in Japanese);
GMO registry receives letter of support from Osaka Prefectural Government to operate new generic Top Level Domain .osaka, read more here.

French version of the applicant guidebook...

...dated September 2011 is available.
As tweeted today by ICANN, September 2011 version of the applicant guidebook is available in French. To read it, click here (direct link).

January 2012 version is coming soon.

Note today is the 25th of February and the application window to apply for a new generic Top-Level Domain opened on January the 12 and will close in April the 12.

Questions

• Did you have the same chances to follow and participate in the new gTLD launching without knowing English?
• Will ICANN block a .VIN on round 2 if it comes after a .WINE ("vin" means wine in English)?
• Why do I write this blog in English by the way? :-)

Your answer.

To apply or not apply?