Geocoding & Location Intelligence

Say hello to “X marks the spot” global location accuracy

Melissa GeoCoder solutions convert addresses into geocodes (latitude and longitude coordinates), which you can use to place markers on a map, or position the map. We offer precise rooftop geocodes for 95% of all physical addresses in the U.S. as well as 240 countries around the world. Our unique address parsing and matching algorithms help GeoCoder fix spelling errors and complete addresses that have missing or invalid components to provide more precise results. In addition to rooftop (highly precise) geocoding, we have other levels of accuracy to meet every need and budget.

Get precise, plotted coordinates to improve logistics and decrease shipping costs
Power retail store location and local search lookups to increase customer satisfaction and ease of shopping
Get real-time geocoding in 240+ countries around the world to power more effective business intelligence
Convert lat/long coordinates to a physical street address (reverse geocoding)

3 Levels of Geocoding Accuracy: Rooftop, ZIP+4, and ZIP Code

GeoCoder provides latitude and longitude geographic coordinates, census tract and block numbers, as well as county name and FIPS numbers.

1. Rooftop Level Geocoding

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Rooftop Level Geocoding translates addresses into latitude and longitude coordinates to know exactly where they are, on a map, in a neighborhood. As the highest level of geocoding available, the accuracy literally comes down to your customer’s front door. The ideal solution for insurance and tax jurisdictions, risk exposure analysis, and delivery routing, Rooftop Level Geocoding is the most precise you can get.

So, how do we do it? Accurate geocoding algorithms are the key to location intelligence. Because address databases are often filled with errors, typos, and inconsistencies, it’s sometimes difficult to match stored data with actual coordinates. Melissa combs through 195 million individual addresses and utilizes precise mathematical location algorithms and street shape maps to select the best recorded point. GeoCoder incorporates data from multiple sources, including spatial data, navigational data, and census data. All sources are evaluated and intelligently merged to produce the most precise coordinates possible.

2. ZIP+4^® Geocoding

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The next level of accuracy is to the ZIP+4 – which includes an area of about 10-20 households. Even though ZIP+4 geocoding validates the address data with slightly less accuracy than the rooftop level, you can still easily spot demographic and segmentation patterns to target your customers more effectively and power store locators for your business.

3. ZIP Code^™ Geocoding

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The broadest range of geocoding is ZIP Code level, which can show you the geographical area and city boundaries. ZIP Codes at this level are mainly used for USPS^® sorting, but it can also help you see the general area where your customers are located to plan local or geographic-based marketing campaigns. With ZIP Code level geocoding, you’ll see coordinates usually within a few miles.

Geocoding & Location Intelligence - 3 Levels of Geocoding Accuracy: Premise, ZIP+4, and ZIP Code

International Geocoding

Melissa offers accurate address geocoding for over 240 countries worldwide. The output points can be visualized on a map, inserted as stops for a route, or loaded as input for spatial analysis. Because addresses around the world are not all the same, the best way to ensure you’re getting reliable geocodes is to utilize Melissa address verification at the same time to ensure your data is accurate and the addresses are real. Click here for a list of all supported countries

Reverse Geocoding

Reverse geocoding works like regular geocoding—but it takes latitude and longitude and converts it to a mapped address. Image you have a GPS signal with latitude and longitude coordinates, and you want information about the place represented at this address. Imagine that with this information, you get the latest TIGER^® address data, sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau^®, for the most accurate geocodes and specific location facts like house number, city, state, ZIP Code^™, FIPS code, and more.

Translate GPS signals into exact addresses for location-based services, applications, and precise vehicle tracking
Expedite emergency and relief efforts by knowing exactly where to send help
Push real-time, geo-targeted marketing messages to mobile audiences who are ready to buy now

Geocoding & Location Intelligence - Reverse Geocoding

Street Route – Driving Distance Calculation

Melissa’s Street Route API is an easy-to-use developer tool that takes two latitude/longitude coordinates (or a batch of points) and returns the driving distance and total driving time between them. Street Route is useful for determining emergency response and disaster relief planning.

Create a “Find the Nearest Location” tool. Using a database of “known/owner destinations”, Street Route can compare a starting point location to the database to return all the route distances and drive times to the possible destinations which can then be queried to present the shortest distance or travel time.
Determine geolocations which cannot be reached by vehicle travel. This is helpful in determining latitude/longitude coordinates located on islands or rural off road residences and differentiates Street Route from competing tools that return “as the crow flies” distances.
Support for North America, South America, Europe and other regions/countries coming soon.