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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our IP lookup service.

What is an IP address lookup?

An IP address lookup is a service that provides information about a specific IP address, including its geographic location, network details, and security status. Our tool shows you the country, region, city, ISP, organization, and whether the IP is listed on any spam blacklists.

How accurate is the geolocation data?

IP geolocation accuracy varies depending on the type of connection and location. Generally:

  • Country level: 95-99% accurate
  • Region/State level: 80-90% accurate
  • City level: 50-80% accurate

The data is more accurate for residential connections and less precise for mobile or satellite connections.

Is this service really free?

Yes, our IP lookup service is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, registration requirements, or premium features. We maintain the service through fair usage policies with rate limiting to ensure availability for all users.

What are RBL checks and why are they important?

RBL (Real-time Blackhole List) checks determine if an IP address is listed on spam or malware blacklists. These checks are important for:

  • Email deliverability assessment
  • Security threat identification
  • Network reputation monitoring
  • Compliance verification

We check against 10 major RBL providers including Spamhaus, SpamCop, and SORBS.

Why do I see rate limiting messages?

Rate limiting ensures fair usage and service availability for all users. Our limits are:

  • IP Lookups: 10 requests per minute
  • RBL Checks: 5 requests per 5 minutes

If you exceed these limits, you'll need to wait before making additional requests. For higher volume needs, please contact us about API access.

Can I look up IPv6 addresses?

Currently, our service supports IPv4 addresses only. IPv6 support is planned for a future update. IPv4 addresses are in the format xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (e.g., 192.168.1.1).

What's the difference between hostname and IP address?

An IP address is a numerical identifier (like 8.8.8.8), while a hostname is a human-readable name that points to that IP address (like dns.google). Our tool shows both the IP address and its associated hostname if available.

Do you store my search history?

No, we do not store your search history or personal information. We only use session data temporarily for rate limiting and caching purposes. All session data is automatically deleted when your session expires. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Can I use this tool for commercial purposes?

Yes, you can use our tool for commercial purposes within our fair usage limits. For high-volume commercial use, please review our Terms of Service and consider contacting us about API access or custom solutions.

Why might an IP show as "proxy detected"?

When we detect proxy headers in the request, it means the request is being routed through a proxy server, VPN, or load balancer. This is common for users behind corporate firewalls, using VPN services, or accessing through content delivery networks.

What should I do if the location is wrong?

IP geolocation is not always 100% accurate due to how IP addresses are allocated and routed. Factors affecting accuracy include:

  • ISP's registered address vs actual location
  • Use of VPN or proxy services
  • Mobile or satellite connections
  • Recently transferred IP blocks

The data comes from our trusted providers and represents the best available information.

Is there an API available?

We're currently developing API access for developers and businesses. Visit our API documentation page for updates and to express interest in early access to our programmatic interface.

How often is the data updated?

Our data sources update their information regularly:

  • Geolocation data: Updated monthly by ip-api.com
  • RBL data: Updated in real-time by blacklist providers
  • Network information: Updated as ISPs report changes

We cache RBL results for 6 hours to balance freshness with performance.

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Still Have Questions?

If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help!