An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet, letting other devices locate and communicate with it. It's the internet's raw addressing system — the numbers a domain name translates into, via DNS, so people don't have to memorise them.
The Two Main Formats
- IPv4 — the older format, written as four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 192.168.1.1)
- IPv6 — a newer, far larger format, developed because the internet was running out of available IPv4 addresses
Where IP Addresses Matter for a Website
- Every hosting server has its own IP address, which a domain's DNS records point to
- Firewalls can block or allow traffic based on an IP address
- Analytics tools log visitor IP addresses to approximate their general location
- Security tools use IP tracking to detect and stop brute-force login attempts
Shared vs. Dedicated IP Addresses
Most shared hosting plans put multiple websites behind the very same IP address; a dedicated IP address, sometimes offered as a paid add-on, gives a site its own exclusive address instead — occasionally required for certain SSL certificate configurations or specific compliance needs, though it's rarely necessary for a typical site.
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