What are Mapbytes?

Mapbytes are a micro payment system that allows you to purchase IP Location resolutions from Geobytes.

Mapbytes are a way for us to provide a paid version of our IP Locator, GeoDirection, GeoPhrase and GeoFlag services for those who want to go beyond the limits of the free component of these services. (For example, if you wanted to remove the advertising sponsorship from GeoDirection or exceed the first free 20 look ups with the IP Locator.

Which services can I use Mapbytes with?

Mapbytes currently works with GeoDirection, GeoPhrase, GeoFlag and the IP Locator service. To use your Mapbytes with either of the first three (our client side services) you provide us with the url for the site on which you have a GeoPhrase, GeoFlag or are using GeoDirection on. This url is then "authorized" to use the Mapbytes that you have purchased to remove the reciprocol obligation (or advertising sponsorship) that is associated with the free version of these services.

If you are using your Mapbytes with our IP locator service, then you do not need to configure any urls. You simply need to use your access credetials to authenticate your requests. If you are accessing the IP Locator manually via a browser, and typing in each IP Address one at a time, then you can authenticate your entire session by logging in to the Client Services Center before you start using the IP locator. Once logged in you can then go to the IP locator page and commence your IP lookups. You are only charged for any lookups performed over the hourly limit.

Alternatively, if you are access the IP Locator programmatically, then your server will need to authenticate its requests by appending your access credentials to each requests. There is more on how to do this here, but basically an authenicated request would look something like this:

 https://secure.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm?GetLocation&template=php3.txt&IpAddress=x.x.x.x&pt_email=
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 &pt_password=xxxxxxxxxx

How does the paid version of these services differ from the free versions?

With the paid versions of GeoDirection, GeoPhrase or GeoFlag you will no longer have any links or ads for Geobytes. More specifically with the GeoDirection and GeoPhrase service the 1 in 50 popup ad is removed and with GeoFlag the link to our page is removed.

So what do I have to do to remove these links or ads?

Just purchase some Mapbytes resolutions from our buy page. Once your payment is completed, you will be directed to enter the url of your site and that's it.You can enter as many urls as needed and you can add or edit these url's as often as you wish from within our Client Services Center.

What happens if my resolutions run out?

Will the GeoDirection, GeoPhrase or GeoFlag service stop working? No, they will all continue to work, but they will revert back to the free service mode, where in they will have links or ads to our site or that of a sponsor that is paying for your access. To remove these links again just purchase further Mapbytes resolutions.

How are the Mapbytes resolutions counted?

Basically there is a charge of 1 Mapbyte per visitor to your site. When using Mapbytes with GeoDirection, GeoPhrase, or GeoFlag, then requests from the same IP address within the same 10 minute period do not incur a further charge. If you are using Mapbytes with the IP locator page, then 1 Mapbyte is counted for each IP lookup performed that is perform in excess of the first free 20 look ups per hour.

I have both a GeoFlag and a GeoPhrase on my page. How will my Mapbytes resolutions be counted?

As we said above, requests from the same IP address within the same 10 minute period do not incur a further charge regardless of how many geographic elements or whatever type appear on your page.

What do I need to enter as my url?

You need to enter sufficient information to uniquely identify the site or page which you wish to authorize to use your Mapbytes. If you share your domain with others, then you need to be careful to ensure that this url uniquely identifies your site. You may wish to enter your url both with and without, the www so that all requests are counted. (No URL is required to use Mapbytes with the IP Locator.)

I have registered my url, but the link/ad is still there. Why?

Mapbytes relies on the referring url being sent with the request. If your browser is not sending the referring url, than we can't determine who to associate the Mapbytes request with and accordingly the request will be handled as a free request. In this event, of course you will be not charged any Mapbytes for this request, but if you wish to ensure that it does not happen, then please login to out Client Services Center and ensure that your site's URLs are all listed as associated URLs.

If I use GeoDirection or GeoPhrase on more than one page on my website do I have to buy Mapbytes for each page?

No, your Mapbytes can be used on multiple pages and sites at the same time. All you need to do is enter the URL for the sites or pages in your list of Mapbytes url's, using our Client Services Center.