We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Reverse Geocoding?

M. McGee
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,493
Share

Reverse geocoding is the process of using latitude and longitude coordinates to find specific geographical features or street addresses. This process is the opposite of the more common geocoding method. In standard geocoding, the features and streets are mapped first and then assigned a coordinate. Reverse geocoding fills in the gaps in standard geocoded coordinate information so only a few spots are needed to find a location.

The process of standard geocoding and reverse geocoding go together. Using standard geocoding techniques, the beginning and endpoint of a street have exact latitude and longitude coordinates laid out. Geocoding software lays out the street in a mapping program, and the user enters the first and last street address for the area. Using reverse geocoding, the program extrapolates the street numbers of the houses along the mapped road using coordinates and relative position.

Reverse geocoding is considered an important step in many navigation technologies. Things like on-board vehicle navigation and Enhanced 911 service rely on reverse geocoding to estimate the location of destinations. Very few areas have had every house on every street geocoded, so services rely on reversed information to locate the destination point for vehicles. The reversed location may be several feet off the actual, but it is generally close enough that a person can find the true location by normal means.

This process is also useful to outdoorsmen. They are able to find their coordinates and use them as their base point. Information about known sites near that point are then relayed back to them. This makes it easy to find known spots, such as a fishing spot or hiking trail, which have already been found with standard geocoding. With a full geographic information system available, it is also possible to find other nearby locations of interest, like a highway or river.

As with many geographic information systems, reverse geocoding has seen its share of controversy. By using preexisting maps, it is possible to locate people or areas that were not intended to be found. Many forms of confidential studies and experiments rely on subjects' relative proximity to each other or a central point. In these studies, it isn’t uncommon to publish maps showing the locations of the subjects. These maps intentionally have few features, but when fed through a reverse geocoding process, it is possible to locate the subject’s position.

When this ability is combined with other geographic systems, the problems become more pronounced. Anonymous locations of people and places are relatively easy to find; then, extrapolated information from public information can find even more about the subject. This can allow people to easily track others and learn shopping or driving habits.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
M. McGee
By M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences. With a background in communication-related fields, he brings strong organizational and interpersonal skills to his writing, ensuring that his work is both informative and engaging.
Discussion Comments
M. McGee
M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences....
Learn more
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-reverse-geocoding.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.