Are my location and IP address visible when I use VPN?

VPN is not something that is simply “turned on” in settings - at least, not without understanding precisely how it is configured to connect with a VPN Gateway.

If you are using a commercial VPN App (as is perhaps most commonly the case outside of corporate environments), when enabled, your VPN will likely be configured to route all your internet traffic via the VPN Operator’s Gateway - from where your traffic will be delivered to the internet.

Setting aside the likely contributions with this Community, from others that will suggest that VPNs are totally unnecessary - this type of VPN implementation is only intended to shield your internet traffic from interception over the WiFi (or Cellular) connection as far as the VPN Operator’s VPN Gateway. Understand that this type of VPN is not end-to-end - but will protect your traffic over what is perhaps a “least trust” network (such as a public WiFi network - where you traffic is at most risk of interception).

As such, your “visible” IP Address will be that of the VPN Gateway - which may be in the same country or region as yourself.

The VPN will not be able to prevent websites, to which you connect, from serving Advertising. In context of seeing Ad’s for VPN services, your public IP Address may be identified as coming from a known VPN Operator - and as such might suggest that as a VPN user, you might be interested in other VPN Operators.

In summary, unless you fully understand what and how a VPN can be used to improve privacy - and in addition its potential limitations - you should have no expectation of total security and privacy from monitoring or advertising. VPN is just one available tool - that if used correctly can enhance privacy and security.