About IP addresses
An IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is used to identify computers on the Internet. It works like a return address would on a piece of mail.
An IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is used to identify computers on the Internet. It works like a return address would on a piece of mail.
How IP addresses work
When your computer or device sends a request, like a search on Google, it tags the request with your IP address. That way Google knows where to send the response.
When your computer or device sends a request, like a search on Google, it tags the request with your IP address. That way Google knows where to send the response.
How Google uses your IP address
Your IP address is usually based on a real-world location. Google might use your IP address to guess where you are and give you local results.
For example, Google could use your IP address to give you the weather forecast for the town you're in when you search for weather.
Your IP address is usually based on a real-world location. Google might use your IP address to guess where you are and give you local results.
For example, Google could use your IP address to give you the weather forecast for the town you're in when you search for
weather.What an IP address looks like
Your IP address will be a number, like 172.16.254.1 or 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1.
Your IP address will be a number, like 172.16.254.1 or 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1.
Find your IP address
When you search what is my IP on Google Search, you’ll see the IP address of the computer or device where you did the search.
When you search
what is my IP on Google Search, you’ll see the IP address of the computer or device where you did the search.