How to speed up IP lookup for my 'What is my City Name' tool?

• Choose a High-Performance API: Not all IP geolocation APIs are created equal. Look for providers known for low latency and high uptime. Services like IPinfo.io or ipstack are popular choices, offering robust infrastructure.
• Implement Caching: For frequently accessed IPs or even a specific range of IPs that hit your tool often, implement a server-side cache. This can drastically reduce repeated API calls and speed up response times.
• Consider a Local Database for High Volume: If your traffic volume is very high, relying solely on external API calls can become a bottleneck. For enterprise-level needs, sometimes integrating a local, regularly updated IP database (like MaxMind GeoIP2 City database) can offer the fastest lookups, though it requires more maintenance.
• Geographically Distributed Infrastructure: If your user base is global, using an API provider with globally distributed servers can help reduce the physical distance data needs to travel, improving response times.

I implemented the caching and checked out a couple of those APIs. It made a difference for sure, but I'm still seeing some latency spikes that are a bit puzzling.