Google Maps Place Search

Search for business locations (coworking spaces, business parks, office buildings, coffee shops) within a geographic area using the Google Maps Places API.

Authentication

• Google Cloud project with Places API enabled
• API key with Places API access: GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY
• Billing account linked (Places API is pay-per-use after free tier)

Nearby Search (recommended for field prospecting)

Endpoint: POST https://places.googleapis.com/v1/places:searchNearby

Headers:

Content-Type: application/json
X-Goog-Api-Key: {GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}
X-Goog-FieldMask: places.displayName,places.formattedAddress,places.location,places.rating,places.userRatingCount,places.googleMapsUri,places.websiteUri,places.types,places.businessStatus

Request body:

{
  "includedTypes": ["coworking_space"],
  "locationRestriction": {
    "circle": {
      "center": { "latitude": 37.7749, "longitude": -122.4194 },
      "radius": 5000.0
    }
  },
  "maxResultCount": 20,
  "rankPreference": "POPULARITY"
}

Useful includedTypes for field prospecting:

• coworking_space — coworking and shared offices
• office_space — general office buildings (commercial real estate)
• business_center — business centers and serviced offices
• cafe — coffee shops (founder hangouts)
• convention_center — conference/event venues
• shopping_mall — retail if selling to local businesses
• industrial_area — warehouses/workshops for trades

Combine multiple searches with different types to build a comprehensive venue list.

Text Search (for specific queries)

Endpoint: POST https://places.googleapis.com/v1/places:searchText

Request body:

{
  "textQuery": "coworking spaces in Austin TX",
  "locationBias": {
    "circle": {
      "center": { "latitude": 30.2672, "longitude": -97.7431 },
      "radius": 10000.0
    }
  },
  "maxResultCount": 20
}

Use text search for more specific queries like "startup incubators near downtown" or "tech hubs in SoMa."

Place Details (get hours, contact info)

Endpoint: GET https://places.googleapis.com/v1/places/{place_id}

Headers:

X-Goog-Api-Key: {GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}
X-Goog-FieldMask: places.displayName,places.formattedAddress,places.regularOpeningHours,places.phoneNumbers,places.websiteUri,places.reviews

Pull opening hours so the agent can schedule visits during business hours. Pull reviews to assess foot traffic and business density.

Alternatives

| Tool | API/Method | Notes | |------|-----------|-------| | Google Maps | Places API (New) | Best coverage, pay-per-use | | Yelp | Fusion API | Good for cafes/restaurants, US-focused | | Foursquare | Places API | Strong international POI data | | OpenStreetMap | Overpass API | Free, community-maintained, less business detail | | Apple Maps | MapKit JS | Good on Apple platforms |

Pricing

• Google Maps: $0 for first $200/month credit; ~$32 per 1000 Nearby Search requests after
• Yelp Fusion: Free for 5000 calls/day
• Foursquare: Free tier 1000 calls/day; $0.01/call after

Error Handling

• ZERO_RESULTS: Widen the search radius or use a different includedType
• OVER_QUERY_LIMIT: Rate limited — back off 1 second and retry
• REQUEST_DENIED: Check API key and billing status
• INVALID_REQUEST: Verify lat/lng coordinates and radius (max 50000m)