How do geocoding and geosearch differ? (2024)

Software developers have an array of different tools at their disposal tobuild location based services.

It's important to understand the pros andcons of each technology and use the right tool for the job.In this guide we look at the difference between geocoding, geosearch, andother location technologies like browser geolocation and IP addressgeolocation.

Make sure youuse the right tool for the right job.You will be frustrated if you try to use a screwdriver as a hammer.

Geocoding is the process of converting geographic coordinates(latitude and longitude) into a geographic reference - such as an address,a place name, or locality - or vice versa. Going from address to coordinatesis known asforward geocoding,coordinates to address is known asreverse geocoding.Forward geocoding expects a full address or placename as the input.

For example:Philipsbornstraße 2, 30165 Hanover, Germany(the OpenCage office) is converted to the coordinates52.387783, 9.7334394.

OpenCage operates anAPI for geocodingbased on open data.You can test the OpenCage geocoding API onour geocoding demo page,or sign up for a free trial.

Geosearch is often confused with forward geocoding. Geosearch takes anystring of text as input and tries to extract locations from that string orto expand the string and return a list of possible location matches.

For example:given the input ofpargeosearch might returnParis, France.

Geosearch is often encountered in, as the name suggests, a search form,where it is provided via an "autosuggest" or "type-ahead" tool to help usersenter correct geographic input.You can test our geosearch offering onour geosearch demo page.

Learn more about geosearch inour detailed geosearch guides.

OpenCage Geosearch

If you need a location autocomplete for forms or maps, pleasehave a look at ourgeosearch service.