What's the most accurate way to determine user geolocation in the browser?

Question

I found a few examples suggesting Google AJAX APIs.

This link typifies the advice I have found so far: http://briancray.com/2009/05/29/find-web-visitors-location-javascript-google-api/

However, the location is often wrong with the Google APIs.

Other sites seem to know exactly which city I'm in, though, without me entering any information.

Suggestions? Is there something cross-browser (ignoring IE6) and reliable?

How accurate do you need the location to be, and how important is the accuracy? For instance, a web-based 911 system wants to be able to send help to the right house. A system to target advertisements need only hit the right neighborhood. — John Saunders, Mar 13 '10 at 00:42
Hi John, the right neighborhood is more than accurate enough. Really, we just need the right city. Any ideas? — Crashalot, Mar 16 '10 at 02:03

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 13 '10 at 00:39

I was going to answer with a few points but sometimes referencing a decent article is the way to go. I recently came across this Smashing Magazine article by Christian Heilmann which explains the issues, solutions and further info on all things GeoLocational.

Entering the wonderful world of Geolocation

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 12 '10 at 23:14

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check http://hostip.info it is an opensource database.

answered Mar 12 '10 at 23:14

Jakub

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Well, I jut gave it a spin over some italian addresses and it didn't really cut it. One in **Milan** was mapped over **Rome**. One in **Sardinia** was generically mapped over **Italy**. And with **my** address... it **couldn't even figure** i'm in Italy at all. Maybe it's good on North-America, dunno. – ZJR Apr 07 '11 at 17:31

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 09 '12 at 12:11

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Try Webshims geolocation module it implements navigator.geolocation API if browser doesn't support it.

answered Jul 09 '12 at 12:11

Nikita Koksharov

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 07 '11 at 17:23

Other that the costly GeoIP database and the limited js api, (cited in the smash article Brian linked) MaxMind also offers a number of free Geolite DBs, for download.

http://www.maxmind.com/app/geolitecity

They are redistributable under this license.

What's the most accurate way to determine user geolocation in the browser?

4 Answers4