Replacing getCurrentPosition() with IP-based geolocation

The browser's getCurrentPosition() method is useful, but it comes with drawbacks. It requires user permission, introduces delays through prompts, and can fail entirely if the user declines access. In many cases, all you need is an estimated location to tailor content or services. That’s where IP-based geolocation comes in.

With IPLocate, you can get accurate, reliable geolocation data without interrupting the user experience. No permissions, no popups—just a fast API call.

So instead of this:

navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition((position) => {
  console.log(position.coords.latitude, position.coords.longitude);
});

You can use this:

const apiKey = 'YOUR_IPLOCATE_API_KEY';
const url = `https://www.iplocate.io/api/lookup?apikey=${apiKey}`;

fetch(url)
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => {
    console.log(`Country: ${data.country}`);
    console.log(`City: ${data.city}`);
    console.log(`Latitude: ${data.latitude}`);
    console.log(`Longitude: ${data.longitude}`);
  })
  .catch(error => console.error('Error fetching geolocation data:', error));

Et voilà! Accurate data without any permission prompts or interruptions!

You can try this out code as-is, but you'll need to sign up for a free API key to make up to 1,000 requests per day.

You can also browse more code samples in our developer docs.

Why Use IP Geolocation?

• No permission prompts
• Immediate results
• Useful for regional content, localization, analytics, and more
• Includes much more data than getCurrentPosition(): timezone, country, city, hosting info, threat detection, ASN and company data

How to Use the Data

With IP-based geolocation data from IPLocate, you can:

• Show region-specific content
• Auto-fill location or phone number (calling code) fields
• Adjust language, currency, or UI based on region
• Feed location into analytics pipelines

Things to Keep in Mind

• Precision: IP geolocation is generally accurate to the city or region level, but not as exact as GPS.
• Privacy: While there’s no browser consent popup with this method, it’s still a good idea to mention location usage in your privacy policy.
• Use Cases: For non-critical location needs like personalization or fallback logic, IP geolocation is often the better default.

For fast, reliable geolocation without the hassle, give IPLocate a try today.