IP Geolocation Myths: Why It's Never 100% Accurate

Companies mapping IP addresses to physical locations are often misunderstood. IP Geolocation is a guess, not a fact.

How It Works

Geolocation providers collect data from WHOIS records, network traces (measuring RTT to known cities), and user-submitted data.

Why It Shows the Wrong City

• Centralized Hubs: Mobile providers often route all traffic through a single city.
• Anycast: As discussed in our Anycast article, one IP can be in multiple places.
• Outdated Data: ISPs often move IP blocks without updating public records immediately.

At best, a site can see your City or Region. They can never see your exact street address using just your IP address.