geolocation matters for ping and response time. also, some relays are locked down by geo-IP address. for example, many Japanese relays only allow Japanese IP addresses to connect.

as for running a relay, we have many, many guides. this is an old guide that i used back in december 2022. it's still relevant. https://andreneves.xyz/p/set-up-a-nostr-relay-server-in-under

you can also run a relay on your Umbrel server if you prefer the point and click methods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KahRH_u2UMA

nostr:npub1utx00neqgqln72j22kej3ux7803c2k986henvvha4thuwfkper4s7r50e8 also made a live stream video on how to install a strfry relay. https://flare.pub/w/naddr1qqrhwmmn2dfhwdgzyr3vea70ypqr70e2ff2mx28smca78p2c5l2lxd3jlk4wl3exc8ywkqcyqqqgtwckzlsr3