Geolocation API

ELI5 — The Vibe Check

The Geolocation API tells your website where the user is in the real world — latitude, longitude, the works. It's how 'find restaurants near me' works on the web. Users have to give permission though, because randomly knowing everyone's location would be, you know, terrifying.

Real Talk

The Geolocation API provides the device's geographic position via GPS, Wi-Fi, or IP-based location. It requires user permission and a secure context (HTTPS). Supports one-time position requests and continuous tracking via watchPosition(). Accuracy varies by device and location method.

Show Me The Code

navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(
  pos => console.log(pos.coords.latitude, pos.coords.longitude),
  err => console.error(err.message),
  { enableHighAccuracy: true }
);

When You'll Hear This

"Use the Geolocation API to auto-fill the user's city on the signup form" / "Always provide a manual location fallback in case geolocation permission is denied"