Three common meanings of “Google Maps API”
Before choosing an endpoint, identify the data or experience you need:
- Map rendering: display an interactive or static map in an app or website. Use the relevant Google Maps Platform Maps API or SDK.
- Place data: search Google’s place database, request place details, autocomplete text or retrieve photos. These are Places API capabilities.
- Maps SERP data: inspect what Google Maps search returned for a phrase and market. A SERP results API returns a snapshot of visible local results.
Google describes Places API as providing place search, autocomplete, details and photos. See the official Places API overview. Serqo’s Google Maps Results API serves the third use case and is not an official Google Maps Platform service.
Request local search results
Use the shared Serqo search endpoint with engine: "google" and type: "maps".
curl https://api.serqo.io/v1/search \
-H "x-api-key: $SERP_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"q":"coffee shops in Seattle","engine":"google","type":"maps","gl":"us","hl":"en"}' Local places commonly appear in data.features.localResults. Depending on the page, an item can include title, position, rating, reviews, price, category, address and placeId. Check both data.features.localResults and data.results; groups vary with the returned page. The Google Maps Results API reference documents the response and limits.
Know what it does not replace
A local-results snapshot is not an interactive map, a geocoding service, driving directions, autocomplete or a guaranteed place-details endpoint. It reports what the results page exposed for a query. If your app must let users browse a map, resolve addresses or request supported place fields by place ID, evaluate the corresponding Google Maps Platform API instead.
Choose the right tool
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Show a map in your app | Google Maps Platform Maps API or SDK |
| Search the Places database or request place details | Google Places API |
| Capture the local results shown for a Maps query | SERP API with Google maps type |
Frequently asked questions
Does Serqo return Google Maps results or Google Places records?
It returns extracted local results from a Google Maps search page. The fields and result groups depend on what appears for the query; it is not a full Places API response.
Can I use this to render a map or autocomplete places?
No. Use Google Maps Platform’s Maps and Places products for map rendering, autocomplete, place details and other documented capabilities.
Can I paginate Google Maps results with start?
No. The current Google maps search type does not apply start. Check the response and API reference instead of assuming web search pagination rules apply.
See the Google Maps Results API reference or the Google SERP API guide.