gepost

Gepost is a term used in information technology to describe the practice of attaching geographic metadata to user-generated content. In gepost-enabled platforms, posts, photos, and videos carry location information that can be used to organize, filter, and discover content by place. The geographic data may be a simple latitude–longitude pair or a richer representation such as polygons or GeoJSON features, often with a timestamp and an accuracy estimate.

Originating with mobile location services in the late 2000s, gepost is not a single standard but a family of approaches. Different platforms implement gepost in compatible yet distinct ways, combining geotags with traditional metadata.

Common features include map-based discovery, location-driven feeds, and proximity alerts. Applications range from social networks and event announcements to local journalism and emergency response.

Privacy and governance are central: many implementations offer opt-in location sharing, controls over precision, audience restrictions, and data-retention limits, along with moderation to address misuse.

Limitations include variable location accuracy, privacy concerns, and interoperability challenges across platforms. Ongoing work in gepost aims to promote open geospatial standards and clear consent practices.