How To Create A Map Key

In order to help our customers with Google Maps integration, we have come up with a step-by-step tutorial on how to get a Google Maps API key fast and with minimum effort.

What is Google Maps API key?
How to get a Google Maps API key?
Secure your API key
How do I handle my Google Maps usage limits?
Using your key
BONUS: Explore a map widget supporting Google Maps API key

What is Google Maps API key?

Google Maps API key is used to access Google Maps API. Some applications or plugins using the capabilities of Google Maps require getting and adding an individual token. If you have one of these plugins, you should register on the Google API Console and get your own key. Google API key also allows for using capabilities offered by some services. Having an API key, you are given your individual free limit of user queries, according to your quota. This means your widget no longer has to share the usage limit with other widgets of the same origin and you may increase your limits if you need. Moreover, with Google Maps API key, you can monitor your queries and control them if necessary.

How to get a Google Maps API key?

Getting an API key is not complicated and just requires a couple of minutes of your time. In the process, you will need to create a billing account or use credentials of already existing one, which will be used for payment, in case you exceed your limits. So be prepared to have your billing data with you. Following 3 steps, described below, you will get your API key.

Step 1 – Create your project

1. To start the procedure, go to Google Maps Platform

1. Press "Get Started" button and in the appeared window tick all three types of products. Press Continue.

1. In the updated window, choose Select a project and enter project name in the box below. Then click Next.

Step 2 – Create a billing account

1. In the updated window, click Create Billing Account.

Create a name for you billing project and press Continue. Fill in the appeared form with your contact data and payment information and click Next.

Step 3 – Get your API key

1. In the appeared window, you will be offered to enable your APIs. Press Next.

You will see a new window with your API key in the box. Save the key to be able to use it and press Done.

The key may be applied to any widget related to Google Maps API. All you need to do is copy-paste the key to the plugin dashboard. For example, Elfsight Google Maps plugin for WordPress has a special API key tab with the box, where you need to insert your key.

Secure your API key

After your key is created, it's recommended to restrict it to prevent unauthorized usage. Please, go to Google Cloud Platform Console and click on your key.

In the appeared form, select "HTTP referrers (websites)" and enter your site domain name in the field below. If you are an Elfsight Apps user, also add *.elfsight.com to be able to manage your widget from Elfsight Apps panel.

How do I handle my Google Maps usage limits?

When you get your Google Maps API key, you can set your daily quota for queries in the Google API console. Google Maps web APIs have 25,000 free requests per day, which means the service stays free during the day until you reach this number. If it is exceeded, you need to enable billing or buy a Premium Plan license to have a higher daily quota and allow for more queries. You can have more information concerning usage limits, higher quotas, billing and applying for increased limits on Google Maps API documentation page.

Using your key

So, getting your API key isn't as difficult as it may sound, you need a couple of minutes and the work is done! We hope that our tutorial was helpful and now you can easily handle the task of having an API key. You can use your key in any Google Maps plugin, for example, Elfsight Google Maps widget is a perfect choice if you need a customizable map with various locations and option to create location lists. It allows to show maximum info about your business and has an automatic route calculation to attract more real-life visitors. *An important note for Elfsight Google Maps users: make sure to add "apps.elfsight.com" and the name of the domain, where you are going to use the widget, to the domain field. The field can be found by choosing HTTP reference option in the Application Restrictions menu.