Why API always retuns geocode for invalid address?

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Tue, 09/01/2015 - 09:27

#1

MariusP

Why API always retuns geocode for invalid address?

Hi,

It seems that API always returns some geocode despite of invalid address supplied.

For exapmle:

https://www.mapquestapi.com/geocoding/v1/address?key={YOUR_KEY}&thumbMaps=false&location=wrongstreet+wrongtown

returns {lat=39.390897, lng=-99.066067} ????

I would realy expect "Address Not Found" response.

Is there any option needs to be set to get Address Not Found" response?

Thanks

Wed, 09/02/2015 - 12:51

MQBrianCoakley

The geocoder finds a location

The geocoder finds a location. It will find an inferred location or step out to a less accurate location if an exact match is not found. The quality code indicates how close the match is given the input. The geocoder is NOT an address validator. There are other services out there, like the USPS, for that type of functionality.

Fri, 09/04/2015 - 08:10

jonathan

If it can't find an exact

If it can't find an exact match, the Geocoding API will return the closest potential match to a given address. You can use the result quality codes (like MQBrian mentioned) to determine the quality of your result. You could potentially implement logic that doesn't use results that are lower than a given quality -- P1AAA, a point-level match, is the highest result quality.

Tue, 02/04/2020 - 12:50

(Reply to #3)

mbrasche

I find this is NOT true.

I find this is NOT true. Quite the opposite. I find if there's even the slightest mistake in the address information, the API will not return best guess, or next closest coordinates. It always defaults to somewhere in the mid Atlantic or the waters off the coast of Nigeria! I am very disappointed with the performance of this API and, based on this experience, would never opt to use any paid service plan.

Tue, 02/04/2020 - 16:24

(Reply to #4)

mbrasche

Example:

Example:
409 W Green St, Athens, Alabama. MapQuest returns 0,0.
W Green St, Athens, Alabama. MapQuest returns 0,0.
Green St, Athens, Alabama. MapQuest returns 34.804549,-86.971170.
Athens, Alabama. MapQuest returns 34.804549,-86.971170.
BUT... 409 Green St W, Athens, Alabama. MapQuest returns 34.801025,-86.974119 (The true address coordinates)

So if MapQuest can't find a precise street address, the city and state do not exist. Isn't that just special?

Thu, 02/06/2020 - 08:20

(Reply to #5)

MQBrianCoakley

I get L1AAA at 34.801315,-86

I get L1AAA at 34.801315,-86.973495 for http://www.mapquestapi.com/geocoding/v1/address?key=KEY&location=409%20W...

Can you post the requests to www.mapquestapi.com that return 0,0?