Track Phones & Computers on The Internet with IP Geolocation

Business development managers must stay ahead of the competitive market. Therefore, they can benefit from an IP geolocation API. According to some reports, more than 80% of businesses now use geolocation data to improve their strategies. You might think that this strategy is used only for tracking location. However, this is not the case. It also provides valuable insights for entering new markets and creating personalized customer experiences.

In this article, we will mainly focus on using IP geolocation API to track phones and computers. So, if you are a business development specialist, you have come to the right place. Let’s discuss the flow of our blog. First, we will give you information about IP geolocation. Next, we will explain how it works, its level of accuracy, and its practical uses. 

But the story does not stop there. In the coming sections, we will have more to tell you. Let’s continue. 

What is IP Geolocation?

IP Geolocation finds a device’s location using its IP address. Every device connected to the Internet has an IP address. 

For example, when you visit a website, the server gets your IP address. IP Geolocation helps the site know your location, allowing it to show things like local weather or specific ads.

IP Geolocation isn’t just for fraud detection. Companies use it to prevent online impersonation. If a user logs in from a familiar location, the system recognizes it. If something looks suspicious, it can trigger security steps.

IP Geolocation is also important for content delivery networks (CDNs). CDNs help deliver content faster, reduce waiting times, and make the user experience better.

How IP Address Geolocation Works

Geolocation by IP address matches an IP address to a specific place on a map. When a device connects to the internet, the internet service provider (ISP) gives it an IP address. This IP address has location details linked to the ISP. As a result, helping geolocation services figure out where the device is.

The process starts with a list of IP addresses tied to certain locations. Companies offering geolocation services keep these lists. When they analyze an IP address, they check its history. This can show the country, city, and sometimes even the postal code and exact location.

There are different ways to gather this information. ISPs share the region where an IP address is used. Over time, studies have also helped in analyzing network traffic and GPS data from mobile devices.

For example, if someone connects from an IP address in New York, geolocation can detect that person is in New York. A website can then show news relevant to New York.

How Precise is IP Address Geolocation?

IP Geolocation is generally accurate but has some limitations. It can usually find a device’s location at the city level but with a margin of error of several miles. This accuracy decreases in rural areas.

Frequent movement of mobile devices can also lower accuracy. The precision of geolocation relies on the detail in the database and information from the internet service provider (ISP).

While IP Geolocation is helpful for location-based marketing, it is not perfect for pinpoint accuracy. It works better for identifying general urban areas rather than exact buildings.

Practical Uses of IP Address Geolocation

IP Geolocation is useful in many areas. 

• One example is targeted advertising. Companies can show ads based on where the user is, making ads more relevant and boosting engagement. For instance, a user in Chicago might see ads for nearby restaurants, while someone in California would see different ads.
• Another use is content localization. Websites can change their content based on the user’s location. For example, news sites can show local news to users in specific regions.
• In logistics, geolocation helps track shipments in real time, lowering costs and speeding up deliveries, which makes customers happier.
• Additionally, IP Geolocation helps industries follow local laws, which is especially important for online gambling and web streaming.

How to Track Phones and Computers Using IP Geolocation?

Here are some simple ways to track phones and computers using IP geolocation:

Database Solutions

Tracking devices with IP geolocation often starts with IP databases. These databases link IP addresses to specific locations and are updated regularly to stay accurate. Businesses can use these databases to find a device’s location based on its IP address, which helps in many different situations.

API Integrations

APIs provide a real-time solution for IP geolocation. These tools are easy to add to websites or apps and give detailed location information, such as city, country, and time zone. APIs are very flexible, which makes them great for:

• Improving security
• Personalizing content
• Enhancing user experiences.

Hybrid Geolocation Techniques

Some advanced methods combine IP geolocation with Wi-Fi and cell tower data. This hybrid approach boosts accuracy, especially for mobile devices. It works by using multiple data sources together. This method allows for more precise tracking, making it ideal for situations needing high accuracy.

Machine Learning Enhancements

Machine learning is now used to improve geolocation accuracy. These algorithms study patterns in IP address usage and improve location estimates using past data. This method is useful for constantly improving geolocation accuracy over time.

Industry-Leading IP Address Geolocation Solutions

IP address geolocation is vital for many online services. It helps with targeted ads, personalized content, fraud detection, and better user experiences. These APIs allow businesses to find users’ exact locations by analyzing their IP addresses.

Below are five top IP address geolocation solutions. 

1. Ipstack – The Best IP Geolocation API for 2024

Ipstack is a leading IP geolocation API with a strong and scalable setup. It accurately covers over 2 million unique locations in more than 200,000 cities worldwide. You can get detailed location data, such as country, region, city, and even time zones.

Advanced Features

• Currency Module: Automatically shows products in local currencies.
• Security Module: Identifies threats like crawlers and proxies. Helps prevent damage before it happens.

Code Example

const url = "https://api.ipstack.com/72.229.28.185,110.174.165.78?access_key={PASTE_YOUR_API_KEY_HERE}";

const options = {

    method: "GET",

};

try {

    const response = await fetch(URL, options);

    const result = await response.text();

    console.log(result);

} catch (error) {

    console.error(error);

}

Ipstack is easy to integrate with websites and applications. It is ideal for businesses that want to boost user engagement with accurate location data.

2. Positionstack – The Best IP Geolocation API for Real-Time Geocoding

Positionstack is a powerful geolocation API known for real-time geocoding. It supports both forward and reverse batch geocoding. You can set up coordinates in real-time and retrieve location data for any address.

Advanced Features

• Embeddable Maps easily integrate maps into your application.
• Flexible Data Formats supports JSON, XML, and GeoJSON. This offers versatility in handling data.

Code Example:

Import http.client, urllib.parse

conn = http.client.HTTPConnection('api.positionstack.com')

params = urllib.parse.urlencode({

    'access_key': 'YOUR_ACCESS_KEY',

    'query': 'Copacabana',

    'region': 'Rio de Janeiro',

    'limit': 1,

    })

conn.request('GET', '/v1/forward?{}'.format(params))

res = conn.getresponse()

data = res.read()

print(data.decode('utf-8'))

Positionstack’s reliability and scalability make it a top choice. It is perfect for applications that need high uptime and real-time geolocation services.

3. Ipapi – The Best IP Geolocation API for Data Accuracy

Ipapi is known for its data accuracy. It is a reliable choice for businesses that need precise IP geolocation. It supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and provides detailed location data, such as city, country, and ISP.

Advanced Features

ISP Data Provides detailed ISP information. This helps optimize content delivery and ad targeting.

Code Example

// set IP address and API access key

$ip = '161.185.160.93';

$access_key = 'YOUR_ACCESS_KEY';

// Initialize CURL:

$ch = curl_init('https://api.ipapi.com/'.$ip.'?access_key='.$access_key.'');

curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);

// Store the data:

$json = curl_exec($ch);

curl_close($ch);

// Decode JSON response:

$api_result = json_decode($json, true);

// Output the "calling_code" object inside "location"

echo $api_result['location']['calling_code'];

Ipapi’s simple integration process makes it easy to use. Its long-term ISP partnerships ensure reliable data for custom content and ad personalization.

4. Abstract’s IP Geolocation API

Abstract’s IP geolocation API offers unique features. One of them is bulk requests, which allow you to process multiple IP addresses at the same time. It also provides five modules: location, security, time zone, connection, and currency. This makes it a comprehensive solution for creating personalized user experiences.

Advanced Features

• Bank-Grade Security: Ensures data protection with high-security standards.
• Regular Updates: Keeps data current with frequent updates.

Code Example:

import requests

api_key = 'YOUR_API_KEY'

ip = '134.201.250.155'

response = requests.get(f'https://ipgeolocation.abstractapi.com/v1/?api_key={api_key}&ip_address={ip}')

data = response.json()

print(data)

Abstract’s comprehensive documentation and tutorials make it easy to get started. Even developers with limited experience can use it effectively.

5. Maxmind – The Best IP Geolocation API for Fraud Detection

Maxmind is well-known for its IP geolocation and fraud detection. It offers highly accurate city and country databases, making it a valuable tool for businesses focused on targeted ads and fraud prevention.

Advanced Features

Fraud Detection: Provides intelligent fraud detection. It helps protect your online services.

Reliable Data: Access up-to-date data. This ensures accuracy and reliability.

Code Example:

import geoip2.database

reader = geoip2.database.Reader('GeoLite2-City.mmdb')

response = reader.city('128.101.101.101')

print(f"City: {response.city.name}")

print(f"Country: {response.country.name}")

Maxmind is easy to use. Its high accuracy and reliability make it ideal for businesses needing robust fraud detection and reliable IP geolocation.

Best Practices for Using IP Geolocation

• Always protect user privacy. Anonymize data or get consent before collecting it.
• Only request geolocation data when needed. Don’t ask too often. This helps maintain user trust.
• Be ready for errors in geolocation data. Sometimes, the data may be wrong or missing.
• Keep databases updated for accuracy. This ensures reliable geolocation.
• Cache results to reduce API calls. This will make your app faster and more efficient.
• Test geolocation data regularly. Make sure it matches known locations.

Case Study: Real-World Application of IP Geolocation

Netflix uses IP geolocation to manage content by country. Each country has different content rules. With IP geolocation, Netflix knows the user’s location. It shows content that follows local laws.

For example, a user in the U.S. sees different shows than a user in the U.K. This makes the experience more personalized and helps Netflix follow the rules in each country.

Netflix also uses IP geolocation to block VPNs from accessing restricted content. It identifies suspicious IP addresses and enforces its policies, keeping content legal and the user experience smooth.

Conclusion

IP Geolocation is a powerful tool for business development. It tracks phones and computers online, providing key insights into customer behavior and location and helping detect security threats.

By using an IP geolocation API, companies can improve operations, refine marketing strategies, and better engage customers. Tools like IP address trackers and reverse IP lookups add precision. These tools make targeting easier and more accurate. In a competitive market, using IP Geolocation is essential. It keeps business operations efficient and secure.

FAQs

How to Get Geolocation of IP?

Use an IP geolocation API to find the location of an IP address.

What Is IP Geo Country?

IP Geo Country shows the country location of a device using its IP address.

How Can IP Geolocation Help Businesses Personalize Content for Their Users?

IP Geolocation helps businesses show relevant content based on users’ locations.

What Are the Benefits of Using IP Geolocation for Online Security?

IP Geolocation improves online security by detecting and blocking suspicious activities quickly.

How Accurate Is IP Geolocation, and What Factors Can Affect Its Precision?

IP Geolocation is usually accurate to the city level. ISP data and location affect its precision.

Can IP Geolocation Be Used to Improve Local SEO Strategies for Businesses?

IP Geolocation can enhance local SEO by targeting location-specific content and ads. Sign Up for free at Ipstack to get the best IP geolocation services for your web apps.