Paris and Berlin change two variables at once: country (gl=fr versus gl=de) and language (hl=fr versus hl=de). Search "coworking space" and you get different platforms, different local players, and results written in different languages.
For anyone expanding across Europe, this pair shows how far a single-market read can be from reality one border over.
Paris
gl=fr · hl=fr
Berlin
gl=de · hl=de
Two variables moving at once: gl and hl
Unlike an intra-country comparison, this pair changes both the national index (gl=fr versus gl=de) and the interface language (hl=fr versus hl=de). The hl parameter does more than translate Google's chrome — it shifts which language of results Google prefers, so the same English query returns a different mix of French, German, and English pages on each side.
"Coworking space" is a useful test query because it is English yet heavily used in both markets. Watch how each SERP balances international platforms against domestic providers, and which language the top results are written in.
Search the way a local types
An English query only shows half the market. A Parisian may type "espace de coworking", a Berliner just "coworking" with a district name — and those queries surface providers the English query never shows. Use the translate button in the tool to run the local-language variant of your term per city.
Comparing the English and local-language SERPs for the same city is often more revealing than comparing the two cities: it exposes whether your site is even competing in the query space locals actually use.
Paris vs Berlin: common questions
What is the difference between gl and hl?
gl selects the country index Google draws results from; hl sets the interface language and nudges which language of results is preferred. Paris versus Berlin changes both, which is why the two pages can look like different search engines.
Should I test the English query or the French/German one?
Both. Locals type local terms, so the local-language query usually reflects the real competitive landscape. The tool's translate button converts your query per location so each side searches what a local would type.
Why do I get results in English when searching from Paris?
Query language is a strong signal — an English query with hl=fr still pulls English pages when they best match. Run the French variant of the query to see the SERP French speakers actually get.
Related comparisons
- New York vs LondonCompare Google results for the same query in New York and London — see how the same search ranks differently across the US and UK.
- Toronto vs VancouverCompare Google local results in Toronto and Vancouver — two Canadian metros where the local pack reshuffles completely.
- Los Angeles vs New YorkCompare high-competition Google results in Los Angeles and New York — two of the most contested local markets in the US.
Want a different query or different cities? Open this in the tool and change anything — or browse more comparisons.