No lengthy update processes. Geofeeds eliminate the need for cumbersome communication between IP databases, and eliminate the need for time-consuming manual updates in IP databases
Geolocation data updates are a time-consuming process. By utilizing geofeeds, ISPs, companies, and network operators can save precious time that can be invested in more important tasks
Processing data can be a bottleneck in updating IP addresses. Geofeeds solve this problem by offering a standardized and easily processed format, and automating the entire process
Geofeeds have revolutionized the way companies share geolocation information. Originally developed by Google in 2013, geofeeds have now become the gold standard for transmitting this data.
So, what exactly is a geofeed? It’s a comprehensive list of IP address ranges tied to geolocation details. Network operators can create these feeds, allowing interested parties to easily update and merge data with other geolocation sources.
For accurate and reliable IP data, we utilizes a variety of trusted sources, including geofeeds. Geofeeds play a crucial role in providing targeted geolocation information.
If you’re an ISP or a company looking to enhance customer experiences with geolocation data, follow the steps on this page to set up your geofeed.
A geofeed is a CSV file that contains geolocation corrections for specific IP ranges or subnets. While the only mandatory requirement is to include the IP range or subnet, including additional information will yield better results.
An example of geofeed entries.
By following these steps, you can ensure a robust geofeed that maximizes the accuracy of your IP data, benefiting your business and customers alike.
To ensure seamless data retrieval, hosting your geofeed under your own domain is highly recommended. At Brander Group, we suggest publishing your geofeed file publicly and securely through HTTPS without requiring authentication. This allows IP geolocation providers to regularly poll your URL for updates.
For example, if your company domain is acme.com, we suggest hosting your geofeed file at https://acme.com/geofeed.csv. Hosting your geofeed under your company domain is often a requirement for geolocation providers. While this is not mandatory at some IP geolocation providers, we strongly advise hosting geofeeds under your company domains.
Consider these alternatives for publishing your geofeed:
From a legal perspective, it is important to determine whether the data in a geofeed can be considered personal data, as this may be subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to GDPR (Art 4(1)), personal data refers to information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
While the purpose of a geofeed is not to identify individual geolocations, if a geofeed entry can reasonably be linked to a specific individual user, it may be classified as personal data.
To prevent geofeed entries from being considered personal data, limit the inclusion of entries that are more likely to be used by a group of people rather than an individual user. Additionally, the inclusion of the postal code field is at your discretion, as it can provide highly specific geolocation information, potentially even within a building.
By considering these privacy and legal concerns, you can ensure compliance and create a secure and reliable geofeed.
To ensure accurate geolocation data, it is crucial to update your geofeed as soon as your own geolocation data is updated. Make sure your team members are aware of the geofeed URLs you share to facilitate timely updates. By providing up-to-date geolocation information, you can save time and frustration for both you and your customers, making you the hero in their eyes.
With access to your geolocation updates, our data experts can effortlessly adapt the digital world to best serve your customers, granting them access to the content and services they need.
You’ve created a powerful geofeed and are eager to share its potential with the world. But where should you index or send your geofeed URL to maximize its discovery?
While there isn’t a single centralized repository, the OpenGeoFeed initiative was established as an open solution. However, it hasn’t gained much traction due to its affiliation with a parent commercial company.
Instead, a widely accepted method involves utilizing Regional Internet Registries (RIR) like AFRINIC, ARIN, APNIC, LACNIC, or RIPE. By adding a remarks attribute with the value “Geofeed” and your geofeed URL to an inetnum entry, your geofeed can reach a broader audience. These instructions are outlined in detail in RFC 9092.
By updating your data on RIR registries, you can ensure that IP geolocation providers continuously discover your new geofeeds. They periodically parse Whois databases, making it effortless for automatic discovery.
Exciting news – starting December 7, 2021, RIPE now supports a dedicated geofeed attribute within inetnum entries. If your ranges are registered with RIPE, we strongly recommend using this new and specialized geofeed attribute.
Adding attributes to RIR databases is the recommended method because reputable IP geolocation providers already parse associated Whois databases regularly. This reduces the effort required by both you and the IP geolocation providers.
If you’re unable to update RIR records due to permission restrictions or want to expedite your geofeed’s inclusion, reach out directly to geolocation providers.
In alphabetical order for your convenience:
Curious about how IP geolocation data and geofeeds can enhance user experiences and impact your business? The applications are vast and far-reaching, including load balancing, country-based redirection, price localization, and much more.
Consider the scenario where a user in France is erroneously detected as being in a neighboring country with restricted shipping options, such as Italy. This inconsistency can frustrate customers, preventing them from completing their checkout and ultimately affecting your business.
But with a geofeed in place, you can proactively prevent such issues before they arise. Geofeeds have the potential to resolve various customer-related problems. Considering the numerous real-life applications of IP data, the possibilities are endless. Inaccurate IP address information can negatively impact users’ website experiences, from language preferences to the types of forms they encounter. By leveraging geolocation data, you can enhance these aspects for a more personalized and seamless user experience.
For companies that rely on this data to tailor marketing content or offer purchasing recommendations, it can be the difference between higher conversions or missed opportunities. Geofeeds play an instrumental role in ensuring that IP address discrepancies are eliminated, guaranteeing customers receive the most optimal experience.
Questions about setting up your geofeed? Contact Our team of experts