Google Maps API License Process & FAQ

What is a Google Maps API key?

A Google Maps API key is a personal code provided by Google to access Google Maps on your site or App. Your API key provides you with a free quota of Google Map queries. Your Google account will be automatically billed for any usage that exceeds your quota, however, it is highly unlikely you would ever exceed the free allowance.

Getting your Google Maps API key is a simple process with a few steps.

Firstly, you will require a Google Account. You can use your own, or create an account related to your business for free by following this guide.

Once you have decided on which Google account you would like to use, you can proceed to create your Google Cloud Console account. To do this, please follow this guide from Google.

You will also be asked to input Billing Information, but please note that Google does offer a “Free" tier. Map requests from mobile aren't charged and site requests will allow for 10,000 free requests so a single API Key should cover all API calls made by the platform and apps on your account.

You can track your Google API usage from the Google Cloud Console.

If you have any trouble creating or adding your Google Maps APIs please contact the support team – support@eazi-apps.co.uk


How do I get my own Google Maps License?

1. Go to https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/#get-started

If you already have one, here is Google's guide for existing users: https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/user-guide/

2. Select "Get Started"  

3. Select all three Google Maps Platforms (Maps, Routes & Places)

4. Enter in your domain (less www. ) in the Project Name

5. Follow the instructions to create a billing account. You will need a credit or debit card but this will not be charged.

Note: At this point, Google may also make an offer for a paid trial of Google Cloud Products. Google has confirmed this is separate and you will not be charged for any Google Cloud Products unless you use them. 

6. Continue the Google Maps set up to receive your API Key. Save this key in a document as you will need this regularly for your app builds. 

7. Click the 'API Console' link in this popup. 

8. Scroll to "Key Restrictions" and select “HTTP referrers (web site)” under Application restrictions.   9. Next, under “Accept requests from these HTTP referrers (websites)” enter the following requests:

  • *.eazi-apps.co.uk and *.eazi-apps.com
  • login.eazi-apps.co.uk and login.eazi-apps.com
  • eazi-apps.co.uk and eazi-apps.com
  • All of your PWA Custom Domains you wish to attribute to this key. 

10. Save and your API Key will update automatically (no need to recopy it).

11. For added simplicity, you may also want to go to the menu in the top left of your main Google Map API console, then to the 'APIs & Services' menu > 'Credentials' and bookmark this page for easy access later on. 

Where do I insert the Google Maps API Key once I have it?

Once you have copied your API key you will need to log on to your Partner Dashboard, select the app you wish to apply the API key to and log in. You will then go to Settings and scroll to the bottom, where it will ask you if you are using your own maps platform. Once you click this button you will paste your API Key into the box that appears beneath this.

After this, we recommend generating an API key for every app that you produce as a PWA as there is a limit to the number of map requests per API (after which you may be billed) and they're free to create anyway.