**Google's Guidance on State-Specific Product Pricing for SEO**

**Google's Guidance on State-Specific Product Pricing for SEO**

In a recent SEO Office Hours video, Google provided valuable insights on how to handle state-specific product pricing in search results. The search engine giant explained that it only indexes one version of a product page, regardless of the varying prices displayed to users in different U.S. states.

**The Limitation of Google's Indexing**

According to Google Search Advocate John Mueller, the search engine doesn't have the capability to crawl a product page from different locations within the U.S., which means it won't recognize multiple prices for the same product based on a U.S. state. This limitation can pose a challenge for businesses that need to display distinct prices for the same item depending on state-specific factors.

**Using Structured Data to Reflect Cost Differences**

However, Mueller suggested that businesses can reflect regional cost differences by utilizing the shipping and tax fields in structured data. This approach allows businesses to show a base price on the page while adjusting the final cost through shipping or tax settings depending on the buyer's location.

**Creating Separate Products for State Variants**

In cases where businesses need Google to recognize distinct prices for the same item, Mueller recommends treating them as separate products entirely. This means creating different products in structured data and on the website, each with unique product identifiers. For instance, a business could create one product for California specifically, taking into account specific regulations in the state.

**Key Takeaway**

Google's infrastructure currently doesn't support state-specific price indexing for a single product listing. Businesses will need to adapt within the existing framework, using structured data fields for shipping and tax, or publishing distinct listings for state variants when necessary. By understanding Google's guidance on state-specific product pricing, businesses can optimize their product pages for better search visibility and improved customer experiences.