# GeoLite2 license key {#geolite2-license-key}


Shlink makes use of a [GeoLite2](https://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/geolite2-free-geolocation-data/) database, by [MaxMind](https://www.maxmind.com), to geolocate visits to your short URLs.

To make sure the data is always up-to-date, it downloads new versions of the database regularly.

However, in order to do this, Shlink needs a GeoLite2 license key. These licenses are free, and you can easily generate one by following the instructions below.



> [!IMPORTANT]
> **Note**
>
> If you don't provide a GeoLite2 license key, Shlink will simply not geolocate visits.




## Generate a license key {#generate-a-license-key}


In order to generate the license key, follow these steps.

- Create a MaxMind [account for GeoLite2](https://www.maxmind.com/en/geolite2/signup).
- Generate a [license key](https://www.maxmind.com/en/accounts/current/license-key). Its **important** that you save the value, as you will not be able to recover it afterwards.


## Provide the license key to Shlink {#provide-the-license-key-to-shlink}


Once you have your license key, you will need to provide it to Shlink.

- Via environment variable: use `GEOLITE_LICENSE_KEY` to set your license key.
- Via [installation tool](https://sourcey-shlink.pages.dev/documentation/command-line-interface/installation-tool/index.md): you will be asked to provide the license key when installing or updating Shlink, or you can use [set-option](https://sourcey-shlink.pages.dev/documentation/command-line-interface/installation-tool/index.md#set-option) to set it later.