One of the most common questions Ad Networks get from advertisers sounds like this:
“Why are you sending me traffic from Country X when I clearly asked for Country Y?”

And our answer is often:
“We are sending you Country Y. Your system just sees it differently.”

Let’s break it down. 

How GEO detection actually works

When most Advertising Networks target traffic by GEO, they rely on IP-based databases that match IP addresses to countries, regions, and cities. But here’s the catch:
Not all GEO databases are created equal.
Some are updated daily, others weekly or monthly. Some have more accurate data for mobile IPs, others are better at fixed internet. And even within the same provider, there can be discrepancies during database updates.

So while we might be using one trusted source to classify traffic as "US", your tracking system might use another that identifies the same IP as "Canada" or "Unknown."

What about proxy-related confusion?

This gets more interesting when proxies and accelerators enter the picture.
Take Google Web Light, Google Proxy, or other browser-based data-saving tools.
These systems may route requests through US-based proxy servers — but they preserve the original IP address of the user.
So:

• The proxy is physically in the US.
• The user is in, say, Brazil.
• We (the ad network) detect and target Brazil — correctly.
• Your system may only see the US-based proxy and classify the visit as US.

Result? Mismatch.

We’ve even seen cases where the advertiser filters everything except US traffic — and their system blocks legitimate users from other GEOs because it can’t resolve the origin IP correctly.

What we actually do about it

We, as in Trafficshop Ad Network, go deeper.
Whenever possible, we analyze headers, proxy data, and original IP traces to detect the true GEO — not just what’s reported by the most obvious IP.
Yes, it takes more effort.
Yes, it requires parsing tech details most platforms ignore.
But that’s how we ensure you’re buying the popunder traffic from the GEOs you actually want — not just what some database thinks it is.

Final note: trust, verify, align

If you ever spot mismatches, let’s talk.
We’ll compare data, dig into IP samples, and if needed — provide raw logs and tools for alignment.
In the world of buying traffic, especially at volume, alignment between systems is not optional — it’s essential.

Let’s make sure we’re on the same (Geo) map.

🧡