GeoIP JSON Example — SitePoint

This article series was rewritten in mid 2017 with up-to-date information and fresh examples.

GeoIP is a type of Geolocation software that is used to deduce the geographical location of a person or an object using an IP address. There are a number of free and paid geolocation databases which offer these GeoIP services. Accuracy among these databases generally ranges from country, state, city and up to post code level. This technology is often used for geo marketing, regional pricing, fraud detection and criminal investigation.

In this example we will look at an online database, IP-API.com, that returns GeoIP data in JSON format. Simply opening http://ip-api.com/json/54.148.84.95 will return the following JSON result:

{
  "as": "AS16509 Amazon.com, Inc.",
  "city": "Boardman",
  "country": "United States",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "isp": "Amazon",
  "lat": 45.8696,
  "lon": -119.688,
  "org": "Amazon",
  "query": "54.148.84.95",
  "region": "OR",
  "regionName": "Oregon",
  "status": "success",
  "timezone": "America\/Los_Angeles",
  "zip": "97818"
}

To see your own Geolocation data in JSON format, just open http://ip-api.com/json/.

Building an application that utilizes this service is pretty simple. You can take a quick look at the docs to see how to implement callbacks and other features. In the event of an error, the following JSON response will be returned:

{
  "status": "fail",
  "message": "ERROR MESSAGE",
  "query": "IP ADDRESS USED FOR QUERY"
}

You should note that this service is not absolutely free. If you need to perform more than 150 requests per minute you will have to sign up for a pro account.

Here are the other examples in this series:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about GeoIP JSON

What is GeoIP JSON and how does it work?

GeoIP JSON is a format used to represent geographical IP data. It works by mapping IP addresses to their respective geographical locations. This data can include information such as the country, region, city, postal code, latitude, longitude, and timezone of the IP address. The data is stored in a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format, which is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy to read and write.

How can I use GeoIP JSON in my web application?

To use GeoIP JSON in your web application, you need to make a request to a GeoIP service provider. The provider will return the geographical data of the IP address in a JSON format. You can then parse this data and use it in your application. Most GeoIP service providers offer APIs that you can use to make these requests.

What are the benefits of using GeoIP JSON?

Using GeoIP JSON has several benefits. Firstly, it allows you to personalize your website content based on the user’s location. This can improve user experience and engagement. Secondly, it can help with analytics by providing insights into where your users are located. Lastly, it can be used for security purposes, such as detecting suspicious activity or preventing fraud.

Are there any limitations to using GeoIP JSON?

While GeoIP JSON is a powerful tool, it does have some limitations. The accuracy of the data can vary depending on the service provider and the specific IP address. Also, it cannot provide the exact location of a user, only an approximate area. Furthermore, some users may use VPNs or proxies to hide their real IP address, which can affect the accuracy of the data.

How accurate is GeoIP JSON data?

The accuracy of GeoIP JSON data can vary. For country-level data, the accuracy is typically very high. However, for more specific data such as city or postal code, the accuracy can be lower. It’s important to note that GeoIP data should not be used to determine the exact location of a user, but rather to get an approximate idea of their geographical area.

Can I use GeoIP JSON for free?

Some GeoIP service providers offer free tiers or trials of their services. However, these often come with limitations such as a limited number of requests per day. For more extensive use, you may need to purchase a subscription or pay for the number of requests you make.

How can I improve the accuracy of GeoIP JSON data?

The accuracy of GeoIP JSON data largely depends on the service provider. Some providers offer more accurate data than others. Additionally, regularly updating your GeoIP database can help improve accuracy, as IP address allocations can change over time.

Can I use GeoIP JSON with other programming languages besides JavaScript?

Yes, while the data is in a format that is easily used with JavaScript, it can also be used with other programming languages. Most programming languages have libraries or built-in functionality for parsing JSON data.

Is it possible to get the user’s exact location using GeoIP JSON?

No, GeoIP JSON can only provide an approximate location based on the IP address. It cannot provide the exact location of a user. For more precise location data, you would need to use a different method, such as GPS.

How can I protect the privacy of users when using GeoIP JSON?

When using GeoIP JSON, it’s important to respect the privacy of your users. You should only collect and use geographical data for legitimate purposes and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It’s also a good practice to inform your users about the data you collect and how you use it.