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Finding the location of a user can be one of the essential tools for online marketers. Nevertheless, factors such as accuracy, device permissions, user involvement, and device permissions can lead to a variance in the technical application of location amenities. To find a client’s, there are two popular methods of getting this information: their geolocation IP (also known as GeoIP) and geolocation. Although they may sound alike, and there has been a misunderstanding between the two terms’ meanings, there are great differences between them.
Many people do not understand the differences between Geolocation and GeoIP, and they even tend to use them interchangeably. In a globe controlled by technology, with geo-specific advertising dominating online platforms and website-based promotions, companies need to have a solid notion about the basics of geolocation terminology and geo-based marketing.
Geolocation by IP
Unlike Geolocations, Geolocation by IP utilizes a particular way to find a user’s location- the IP address. Unambiguously contrasting to geolocation, GeoIP does not show local-specific information and data, since it can only use the Internet-based protocol address information. Nevertheless, this does not avoid the probability of getting this information. Internet service providers can integrate the Internet Protocol address with other accurate details relating to the user, like state or city, to build the best picture of their location- exact information.
Geolocation
Geolocation is a universal term that incorporates all the methods to find a client’s location. This encompasses the whole concept of finding a client’s geographic locality. The geographic location can be determined by several forms of estimation, like time of the day. It also reveals more accurate information relating to their location, like their current state or city, which is greatly helpful to online marketers. Although Geolocation utilizes a range of different sources of information to determine a customer’s location, GeoIP is a bit more accurate.
Major differences
One of the big differences between GeoIP and geolocation is that Geolocation by IP functions on a website server that hosts sites, offering it the ability to get the GeoIP via programming. On the other hand, geolocation uses several methods and mediums to get accurate information through both hardware and programming, making it more precise than Geolocation by IP. Geolocation is written in API (known as IP geolocation API) and implemented in JavaScript, through the use of website browsers. Clients can get hardware devices, like GPS modules in mobile phones, which collect geolocation information. Even if this fails to work, information is still captured using techniques such as cellular triangulation and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Geolocation by IP obtains information from a single source, like a cell phone tower, for tracking of mobile. Nevertheless, it can just draw from the tower when the phone is connected to power, meaning that if the cell phone alters the tower, a separate Internet-based protocol will appear.
GeoIP can be used with some methods that make it a special blend of data, designated by some as being “part-science, part-art.” The problems in it being an integration of data means that exactness can be hard. Unluckily, no publicly available or definitive information set precisely ties Internet-based protocol addresses to coordinates.
Cable Internet provides Internet-based protocol are hard to geolocation because of the sheer volume of area that cables can cover. Regarding mobile devices, which are one of the biggest priorities for online marketers to establish clients’ locations, there can be great inaccuracies in some areas. One inaccuracy is that it can be hard to locate the accurate IP address to identify the city, as the device’s geolocation may regularly alter in short periods.
The differences between the two terms are vital to distinguish, mainly for businesses attempting to appeal to customers with location-based content. With local information being one of the essential sources of information for online marketing, it is vital to understand how GeoIP and geolocation work for companies to assess their vulnerabilities and design their procedures in the most efficient way possible.
