What Is IP Location & How Does It Work?
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IP or Internet Protocol is one of the most important building blocks of the internet. Every device has an IP address that is assigned to it and an IP address is just a unique string of numbers associated with each device to make communication and networking effortless for all.
IP location or IP address location is the geographical location associated with an IP address.
IP Geolocation is the process of finding the geographical location of an IP address.
How IP Geolocation Works
It works by simply using a combination of data sources and algorithms to trace an IP address to a physical location.
For website administrators, the process can be simplified like this:
- IP Address Collection – The IP address of a device is collected by the app, website or network.
- Database Query – A general database is queried to see if the IP address can be traced to reveal a geographic location.
- Geolocation Data: The database provides geolocation data which usually includes details like country, region, city, latitude, and longitude.
- Analysis: Advanced algorithms then analyze the geolocation data to see if a more accurate location can be provided.
Using An IP Location Lookup Tool
If you need to trace an IP address to get the geolocation of the owner or user, there are many lookup tools or services online that can make it easy for you. You simply supply the IP address of interest and the tool looks up the geolocation connected to it almost instantly.
Data Sources For IP Location
Some data sources used to source information for IP Location includes…
ISPs (Internet Service Providers) for general IP address allocation information
Registry databases like American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) for information on IP address allocations and assignments.
Specialized geolocation databases for detailed geolocation information.
Cell tower locations from cellular network data for the location of cellular or mobile devices.
Uses Of IP Location
Many website administrators have set up their sites in such a way that your IP location is used to determine what you see.
Popular uses of IP location include …
Cyber security – IP location can help site owners identify and prevent security threats.
Digital Marketing & Customized Content – It can help businesses target potential customers better with specialized content delivery and targeted advertising.
Regulatory Compliance Made Easy - It helps online businesses comply easily with specific regulations and tax laws for different countries or states.
Law Enforcement – It is used by law enforcement agencies to track down individuals involved in crimes online (cybercrimes).
Why is My IP Location Wrong?
IP Geolocation is a simple online query with the right tool. However, there are times when the location associated with the IP address comes back wrong.
Here a couple of reasons why…
Use Of VPN Or Proxy Server - VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and proxy servers mask the original IP address to help the user browse the web anonymously. So trying to get the IP address location of someone using a VPN will definitely provide the wrong result.
ISPs – Updates from ISPs and how your ISP is routing your internet traffic may affect accuracy of results when trying to track IP location.
Cellular Or Mobile Network Data - Cell tower data may change if the user is on the move reflecting the location of the nearest cell tower as and when the IP location is being traced.
Conclusion
IP address location is very useful in doing business and communicating safely online. With the right tool, IP location lookup can be done effortlessly and very quickly. While you may not always get accurate results, it provides you with a good place to start when it comes to tracking people down or customizing your content to reach your targeted audience.