This feature allows users to define, save, and switch among multiple region profiles for search queries. Instead of one global region setting that applies to every search, users can configure different regions for different purposes and select them on demand. It is designed for users who operate across multiple geographic contexts—expatriates, travelers, remote workers, researchers, and international businesses—who need localized results without compromising accuracy for other queries.
How It Will Affect Existing Workflows and User Experience
Exact Use Cases and Examples
Use Case 1: Expat Reading Home-Country News
Daan lives in the Netherlands but maintains connections to his home country. He sets up a profile called "Home":
- News searches default to his home region
- General web searches use global/neutral results
- Maps default to the current location
Without this feature: He changes the global region every time he checks news.
With this feature: One click on the region selector loads the "Home" profile and the correct news sources.
Use Case 2: Traveler Comparing Prices
A user is vacationing in Germany but planning purchases back in the United States.
Current Workflow:
- User searches with a globally set region
- Results may be irrelevant for the query context
- User must navigate to settings, change region, search again, then revert
- No visibility into which region was active during previous searches
New Workflow:
- Region selector visible on the search interface
- User selects an appropriate profile or overrides per query
- Results reflect the chosen region immediately
- Active region is displayed on the results page for transparency
- Settings persist across sessions or can be reset temporarily
Impact:
- Reduces friction: no settings menu navigation for each query
- Improves accuracy: the correct regional context from the first search
- Increases trust: users understand why results appear as they do
- Minimal learning curve: dropdown similar to existing settings patterns
