step-by-step guide to create and configure a Google Maps Platform API Key

Here's a step-by-step guide to create and configure a Google Maps Platform API Key from the Google Cloud Console so you can access Place Details (including reviews): ✅ STEP 1: Sign in to Google Cloud Console Go to: https://console.cloud.google.com/ Log in with your Google account. ✅ STEP 2: Create a New Project In the top-left dropdown, click "Select a project" > "New Project". Enter a name (e.g., MyGoogleReviewsProject) and click "Create". Wait for it to finish, then click the notification to go to your new project. ✅ STEP 3: Enable the "Places API" In the left sidebar, go to “APIs & Services” > “Library”. Search for “Places API”. Click it and then click “Enable”. You may also enable Maps JavaScript API and Geocoding API if your app needs them. ✅ STEP 4: Create an API Key Go to “APIs & Services” > “Credentials”. Click “+ Create Credentials” > “API key”. A key will be generated — copy this key. ✅ STEP 5: Restrict the API Key (Important for Security) On the same credentials page, click your newly created API key to edit it. Under "Application restrictions", choose: "IP addresses" for backend usage — enter your server IP(s). OR "None" for testing (not recommended for production). Under "API restrictions", choose: "Restrict key" Check ✅ “Places API” Click "Save" ✅ STEP 6: Use the API Key in Your .env File GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_real_api_key_here PLACE_ID=your_place_id_here Get your PLACE_ID using: Google Place ID Finder tool ✅ STEP 7: Make the API Call in Your Backend const response = await fetch( `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/details/json?place_id=${PLACE_ID}&fields=reviews,rating&key=${GOOGLE_API_KEY}` ); ⚠️ Notes: Reviews will only appear if the business has public reviews on Google. Google may limit the number of reviews returned (typically 5). You may need to add billing to your Google Cloud account, even for free tier usage.

Apr 30, 2025 - 17:36

Here's a step-by-step guide to create and configure a Google Maps Platform API Key from the Google Cloud Console so you can access Place Details (including reviews):

✅ STEP 1: Sign in to Google Cloud Console

Go to: https://console.cloud.google.com/
Log in with your Google account.

✅ STEP 2: Create a New Project

In the top-left dropdown, click "Select a project" > "New Project".
Enter a name (e.g., MyGoogleReviewsProject) and click "Create".
Wait for it to finish, then click the notification to go to your new project.

✅ STEP 3: Enable the "Places API"

In the left sidebar, go to “APIs & Services” > “Library”.
Search for “Places API”.
Click it and then click “Enable”.

You may also enable Maps JavaScript API and Geocoding API if your app needs them.

✅ STEP 4: Create an API Key

Go to “APIs & Services” > “Credentials”.
Click “+ Create Credentials” > “API key”.
A key will be generated — copy this key.

✅ STEP 5: Restrict the API Key (Important for Security)

On the same credentials page, click your newly created API key to edit it.
Under "Application restrictions", choose:
- "IP addresses" for backend usage — enter your server IP(s).
- OR "None" for testing (not recommended for production).
Under "API restrictions", choose:
- "Restrict key"
- Check ✅ “Places API”
Click "Save"

✅ STEP 6: Use the API Key in Your `.env` File

GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_real_api_key_here
PLACE_ID=your_place_id_here

Get your PLACE_ID using:

Google Place ID Finder tool

✅ STEP 7: Make the API Call in Your Backend

const response = await fetch(
  `https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/details/json?place_id=${PLACE_ID}&fields=reviews,rating&key=${GOOGLE_API_KEY}`
);

⚠️ Notes:

Reviews will only appear if the business has public reviews on Google.
Google may limit the number of reviews returned (typically 5).
You may need to add billing to your Google Cloud account, even for free tier usage.