Editing Geocaching (section)

==Websites and data ownership==
Numerous websites list geocaches around the world. Geocaching websites vary in many ways, such as subscription options, activity levels, and volunteers available to check and ensure caches registered remain open for others.

===First page===
The first website to list geocaches was announced by Mike Teague on May 8, 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Geocaching---Early-History-295308.html |title=Geocaching - Early History - Fun Facts, Questions, Answers, Information |access-date=2017-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713220930/http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Geocaching---Early-History-295308.html |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> On September 2, 2000, Jeremy Irish emailed the gpsstash [[mailing list]] that he had registered the domain name geocaching.com and had set up his own Web site. He copied the caches from Mike Teague's database into his own. On September 6, Mike Teague announced that Jeremy Irish was taking over cache listings. {{as of|2012}}, Teague had logged only 5 caches.<ref name="Teague">{{cite web |url=http://awesomegeocaching.com/2012/08/14/interview-mike-teague-on-the-first-geocache-listing-site/ |title=Interview: Mike Teague On The First Geocache Listing Site |date=August 14, 2012 |work=Awesome Geocaching |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022041203/http://awesomegeocaching.com/2012/08/14/interview-mike-teague-on-the-first-geocache-listing-site/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Geocaching.com===
[[File:Logo Geocaching Emerald.png|thumb|Geocaching.com logo]]

The largest site is Geocaching.com, owned by Groundspeak Inc., which began operating in late 2000. With a worldwide membership and a [[freemium]] business model, the website claims millions of caches and members in over 190 countries and all seven continents including Antarctica.<ref>{{cite web |title=Geocaching Newsroom's Geocaching Fast Facts |url=https://newsroom.geocaching.com/fast-facts |website=newsroom.geocaching.com}}</ref> Hides and events are reviewed by volunteer regional cache reviewers before publication. Free membership allows users access to coordinates, descriptions, and logs for some caches; for a subscription fee, users are allowed additional search tools, the ability to download large amounts of cache information onto their GPS at once, instant email notifications about new caches, and access to premium-member-only caches (although, you can still access such caches on the website itself; the premium cache restriction only applies to the application).<ref>[http://www.geocaching.com/premium/ Geocaching.com's Premium Membership Benefits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810015308/http://www.geocaching.com/premium/ |date=August 10, 2015}} Retrieved June 25, 2013.</ref> Geocaching Headquarters are located in the [[Fremont, Seattle|Fremont]] neighborhood of [[Seattle]], Washington, United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schlosser |first=Kurt |date=August 19, 2022 |title=No hiding from its popularity: At 20, Geocaching still seeks to turn players on to worldwide game |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2022/no-hiding-from-its-popularity-at-20-geocaching-still-seeks-to-turn-players-on-to-worldwide-game/ |work=[[GeekWire]] |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref>

===Opencaching Network===
[[File:Riverside Cache - not FTF.jpg|thumb|A geocache hidden through the Opencaching website]]
The Opencaching Network provides independent, non-commercial listing sites based in the cacher's country or region. The Opencaching Network lists the most types of caches, including traditional, virtual, moving, multi, quiz, webcam, BIT, guest book, USB, event, and MP3. The Opencaching Network is less restrictive than many sites, and does not charge for the use of the sites, the service being community-driven. Some (or all) listings may or may not be required to be reviewed by community volunteers before being published and although cross-listing is permitted, it is discouraged. Some listings are listed on other sites, but there are many that are unique to the Opencaching Network. Features include the ability to organize one's favourite caches, build custom searches, be instantly notified of new caches in one's area, seek and create caches of all types, export GPX queries, statpics, etc. Each Opencaching Node provides the same [[API]] for free (called "OKAPI"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/opencaching/okapi |title=Opencaching Network API |website=[[GitHub]] |access-date=February 14, 2016 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124055820/https://github.com/opencaching/okapi |url-status=live}}</ref>) for use by developers who want to create third-party applications which can use the Opencaching Network's content.

Countries with associated opencaching websites include the [[United States]] at www.opencaching.us;<ref name=joys>{{cite web |url=https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/joys-geocaching |title=The Joys of Geocaching |website=East County Magazine |language=en |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401093516/https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/joys-geocaching |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Germany]] at www.opencaching.de;<ref>{{cite book |last=Gründel |first=Markus |title=Geocaching: Basiswissen für Draussen |year=2009 |publisher=Conrad Stein Verlag, GmbH |isbn=978-3866862722 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/reise/Wie-funktioniert-Geocaching,geocaching376.html |title=Geocaching: Wie funktioniert das? |last=NDR |website=ndr.de |language=de |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017144228/https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/reise/Wie-funktioniert-Geocaching,geocaching376.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sweden]] at www.opencaching.se; [[Poland]] at www.opencaching.pl;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcformat.pl/Geocaching---co-to-jest-i-na-czym-polega,a,4027 |title=Geocaching - co to jest i na czym polega? |website=pcformat.pl |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428121337/https://www.pcformat.pl/Geocaching---co-to-jest-i-na-czym-polega,a,4027 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Czech Republic]] at www.opencaching.cz; [[Netherlands|The Netherlands]] at www.opencaching.nl; [[Romania]] at www.opencaching.ro; the [[United Kingdom]] at www.opencache.uk.<ref name="OpenCaching United States Wiki">{{cite web |url=http://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Main_Page |title=OpenCaching United States Wiki |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721235527/https://wiki.opencaching.us/index.php/Main_Page |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="comments">{{cite web |last=Rupp |first=Heiko W. |title=The geocaching experience is catching |url=https://opensource.com/life/14/9/geocaching-experience-catching |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111175329/https://opensource.com/life/14/9/geocaching-experience-catching |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=2019-03-17 |website=Opensource.com |language=en}}</ref>

The main difference between opencaching and traditional listing sites is that all services are open to the users at no cost. Generally, most geocaching services or websites offer some basic information for free, but users may have to pay for premium membership that allows access to more information or advanced searching capabilities. This is not the case with opencaching; every geocache is listed and accessible to everyone for free.<ref name="OpenCaching United States Wiki"/>

Additionally, Opencaching sites allow users to rate and report on existing geocaches. This allows users to see what other cachers think of the cache and it encourages participants to place higher-quality caches. The rating system also greatly reduces the problem of abandoned or unsatisfactory caches still being listed after repeated negative comments or posts in the cache logs.<ref name="OpenCaching United States Wiki"/>

===OpenCaching.com===
OpenCaching.com (short: OX) was a site created and run by [[Garmin]] from 2010 to 2015, which had the stated aim of being as free and open as possible with no paid content. Caches were approved by a community process and coordinates were available without an account. The service closed on 14 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://navigovat.mobilmania.cz/clanky/garmin-spousti-opencaching-porazi-geocaching/sc-265-a-1315117 |title=Garmin spouští OpenCaching: porazí Geocaching? |last=Kuruc |first=Jiří |website=Navigovat.MobilMania.cz |language=cs |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026093854/https://navigovat.mobilmania.cz/clanky/garmin-spousti-opencaching-porazi-geocaching/sc-265-a-1315117 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other sites===
In many countries there are regional geocaching sites, but these mostly only compile lists of caches in the area from the three main sites. Many of them also accept unique listings of caches for their site; these listings tend to be less popular than the international sites, although occasionally the regional sites may have more caches than the international sites. There are some exceptions, such as how, in the territory of the former [[Soviet Union]], the site Geocaching[[.su]] remains popular because it accepts listings in the [[Cyrillic script]]. Additional international sites include Geocaching.de, a German website, and Geocaching Australia, which accepts listings of cache types deprecated by geocaching.com, cache types such as TrigPoint and Moveable caches, as well as traditional geocache types.

====GPSgames====
GPSgames.org was an online community dedicated to all kinds of games involving Global Positioning System receivers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpsgames.org/content/blogsection/9/59/ |title=About GPSgames.org |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916104831/http://www.gpsgames.org/content/blogsection/9/59/ |url-status=live}}</ref> GPSgames.org allowed traditional geocaches along with virtual, locationless, and traveler geocaches. 
The site's '''geodashing''' game generated a large number of randomly positioned "dashpoints", requiring players to reach as many as possible, competing as individuals or teams.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sherman |first1=Erik |title=Geocaching: Hike and Seek with Your GPS |date=12 April 2004 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-0680-4 |page=72 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_1CnRrfWSMIC&dq=geodashing&pg=PA72 |language=en}}</ref>
Shutterspot, GeoVexilla, MinuteWar, GeoPoker, and GeoGolf were among the other GPS games available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpsgames.org/content/section/3/57/ |title=GPS Games |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916105320/http://www.gpsgames.org/content/section/3/57/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

GPSgames.org was 100% free since 2001, through donations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpsgames.org/ |title=GPSgames.org |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406172202/http://www.gpsgames.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The site was retired on 30 June 2021.

====NaviCache====
Navicache.com started as a regional listing service in 2001.<ref name="The Rebirth Of Navicaching">{{cite web |url=http://www.notaboutthenumbers.com/2012/06/05/the-rebirth-of-navicaching/ |title=The Rebirth Of Navicaching |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=December 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225113053/http://www.notaboutthenumbers.com/2012/06/05/the-rebirth-of-navicaching/ |url-status=live}}</ref> While many of the website's listings have been posted to other sites, it also offers unique listings. The website lists nearly any type of geocache and does not charge to access any of the caches listed in its database. All submissions are reviewed and approved.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/faq.google2.wap.pl |title=Navicache Geocaching FAQ |access-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516152321/http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/faq.google2.wap.pl |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 2012 it was announced that Navicache was under transition to new owners, who said they "plan to develop a site that geocachers want, with rules that geocachers think are suitable. Geocaching.com and OX are both backed by large enterprises, and while that means they have more funding and people, we're a much smaller team – so our advantage is the ability to be dynamic and listen to the users."<ref name="The Rebirth Of Navicaching"/> However, as of 2021 the site is mostly dormant, and the most recent cache listing is from 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Am Wasserhaus |url=http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/displaycache2.google2.wap.pl?CacheID=12163 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817215202/http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/displaycache2.google2.wap.pl?CacheID=12163 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 17, 2015 |website=navicache.com/ |access-date=27 December 2021}}</ref>

====TerraCaching====
Terracaching.com aims to provide high-quality caches made so by the difficulty of the hide or from the quality of the location. Membership is managed through a sponsorship system, and each cache is under continual peer review from other members. Terracaching.com embraces virtual caches alongside traditional or multi-stage caches and includes many locationless caches among the thousands of caches in its database. It is increasingly attracting members who like the point system. In Europe, TerraCaching is supported by Terracaching.eu. This site is translated in different European languages, has an extended [[FAQ]] and extra supporting tools for TerraCaching. TerraCaching strongly discourages caches that are listed on other sites (so-called double-listing).<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to TerraCaching.com |url=https://www.terracaching.com/ |access-date=January 12, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115162759/http://www.terracaching.com/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013}}</ref>

====Extremcaching====
Extremcaching is a German private database for alternative geocaches with a focus on T5 / climbing caches, night caches, and lost place caches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://extremcaching.com |title=Google Translate |website=translate.google.com |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=September 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908233242/https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fextremcaching.com |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://extremcaching.com/ |title=Extremcaching - T5 + Lost Place Geocaching |website=extremcaching.com |language=de-de |access-date=2019-03-17 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401081848/https://extremcaching.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Geocaching Australia====
Geocaching Australia is a community website for geocachers in Australia and New Zealand. Geocaching Australia also has many unique cache types such as Burke And Wills, Moveable_cache & Podcache geocaches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wiki.geocaching.com.au/wiki/Geocaching_Australia |title=Geocaching Australia |website=wiki.geocaching.com.au/wiki/Geocaching_Australia |language=en |access-date=2020-06-09 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609011557/https://wiki.geocaching.com.au/wiki/Geocaching_Australia |url-status=live}}</ref>