geocoding service

A geocoding service is a serviceA service, also known as an ArcGIS service, is software that supports an ArcGIS REST API and provides geospatial functionality or data. A service can be hosted by Esri or in ArcGIS Enterprise.Learn more that can search for addresses, place addresses, and businesses. It takes input text, such as an address, place, or business name, and returns a set of address candidates. Each candidate contains data such as the real address, locationA location is a position or region (point, line, or polygon) on the earth's surface.Learn more, match score, and other attributes. The service can also take an input location and return the nearest address, street intersection, point of interest (POI), or geographic place; this is known as reverse-geocodingReverse geocoding is the process of converting a point to its nearest address or place.Learn more. A geocoding service can also perform bulk geocoding, where many addresses are geocoded at once. An access tokenAn access token is an authorization string that provides access to secure ArcGIS content, data, and services. Its capabilities are determined by the privileges it supports. It is obtained by implementing API key authentication, User authentication, or App authentication.Learn more is required to use the service.

There are two types of geocoding services:

1. The ArcGIS Geocoding service: A location serviceArcGIS Location Services, also referred to as Location Services, are services hosted by Esri that provide geospatial functionality for developing mapping applications. They include the ArcGIS Basemap Styles service, ArcGIS Static Basemap Tiles service, ArcGIS Places service, ArcGIS Geocoding service, ArcGIS Routing service, ArcGIS GeoEnrichment service, and ArcGIS Elevation service. An ArcGIS Location Platform or ArcGIS Online account is required to use the services.Learn more hosted by Esri for developers who have an ArcGIS Location Platform accountAn ArcGIS Location Platform account, formerly known as an ArcGIS Developer account, is an identity associated with an ArcGIS Location Platform subscription.Learn more or ArcGIS Online accountAn ArcGIS Online account, also known as an ArcGIS Organization account, is an identity associated with an ArcGIS Online subscription. It can be used to access ArcGIS tools and develop applications with ArcGIS location services for an organization.Learn more.

2. ArcGIS Enterprise geocoding service: A geocoding service you can host in your own infrastructure with ArcGIS EnterpriseArcGIS Enterprise is a GIS mapping, analytics, data hosting, and content management product that can be hosted on-premise or in a cloud infrastructure. It includes software, applications, tools, APIs, and services for users and developers.Learn more. The service is available to developers who have an ArcGIS Enterprise accountAn ArcGIS Enterprise account is an identity for an instance of ArcGIS Enterprise. It can be used to access ArcGIS Enterprise tools, applications, and services, and to develop applications.Learn more associated with the organizationAn organization a list of members from the same business, association, or entity who can sign in, access tools and applications, and collaborate with other members in a portal. All members have an ArcGIS account and are approved by an administrator to access the same portal.Learn more.

Learn more in the developer guide