> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unleashx.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Google Maps

> Search places, geocode addresses, get directions, and look up timezones and elevation from your UnleashX agent.

# Google Maps

> **In one line:** Give your UnleashX agent location superpowers — find places, convert addresses to coordinates, calculate routes and travel times, and look up timezones and elevation.

|                    |                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Category**       | Productivity                                                                                                                       |
| **Authentication** | API Key (Google Maps Platform)                                                                                                     |
| **Setup time**     | \~5 minutes                                                                                                                        |
| **Difficulty**     | Easy                                                                                                                               |
| **Best for**       | Agents that need geographic context — finding nearby businesses, validating addresses, planning routes, or estimating travel time. |

## 1. Overview

Google Maps Platform is Google's suite of location services. It can find places by name or keyword, turn an address into latitude/longitude (geocoding) and back again, calculate driving/walking/transit routes, estimate travel times and distances, and answer questions about timezones, roads, and ground elevation.

Once you connect Google Maps to UnleashX, your agent can answer location-aware questions and enrich its workflows with real geographic data. It can find the nearest open store, confirm a customer's address, tell a caller how long the drive will take, or look up the local time at a destination.

Connecting Google Maps is great for booking, delivery, dispatch, and concierge-style agents. Instead of guessing, the agent uses Google's live map data to give accurate places, directions, and times. All Google Maps tools here are **read-only** — they look things up and never change your data.

## 2. What you'll need

* A **Google Cloud** account ([console.cloud.google.com](https://console.cloud.google.com)).
* A Google Cloud **project** with **billing enabled** (Maps Platform requires a billing account, though it includes a generous free tier).
* Permission to create credentials (typically **Editor** / **Owner** or a role with `serviceusage` and credential access).
* The relevant **Maps Platform APIs enabled**: Places API, Geocoding API, Directions API, Distance Matrix API, Time Zone API, Roads API, and Elevation API.

<Note>
  If you can't enable APIs or create keys, ask a Google Cloud project admin to create a Maps Platform API key for you. Connecting only needs the API key string.
</Note>

## 3. Get your credentials

Google Maps MCP authenticates with a single **Maps Platform API key** — a string that looks like `AIzaSyXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX`. Getting one takes five steps in the Google Cloud Console: create a project, turn on billing, enable the APIs you need, create the key, and restrict it.

### Step 1 — Create or select a Google Cloud project

Sign in at the [Google Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.google.com) with your Google account. Click the **project dropdown** at the top of the page, then choose **New Project**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/03-select-project.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=823ee9b7acf72a67683af946b2ec9e72" alt="Open the project picker and choose New Project" width="753" height="604" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/03-select-project.png" />

Give the project a name (for example `myHelloWorld` or `my-maps-agent`). Google generates a **Project ID** automatically — note that it **cannot be changed later**. Click **Create**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/01-new-project.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=c1934538c80ed58185a2ae0922c24c8b" alt="Name the new project and click Create" width="587" height="451" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/01-new-project.png" />

If your account belongs to an organization, you can also pick the **billing account** and **organization** while creating the project.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/02-create-project-details.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=2cfc2b722b94b19cbe7ca6c252f94693" alt="Create a project with a billing account and organization selected" width="1078" height="842" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/02-create-project-details.png" />

### Step 2 — Enable billing

Google Maps Platform **requires a billing account**, even though it includes a generous monthly free credit. Open the menu (☰) and go to **Billing**, or just type "billing" into the search bar at the top.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/04-billing-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=8e0ea46bae46eba38e4b6f8a509f08bd" alt="Billing in the left navigation menu" width="925" height="1121" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/04-billing-menu.png" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/05-billing-search.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=739b6c29b476bc2ecd9c5cabe2b47ead" alt="Find Billing accounts using the search bar" width="1568" height="832" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/05-billing-search.png" />

If the project isn't linked to a billing account yet, click **Link a billing account** → **Create billing account**, and add a credit/debit card.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/06-link-billing.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=432c135463b94d7252e1d8a9df250267" alt="Link a billing account to the project" width="602" height="447" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/06-link-billing.png" />

Once billing is active, the **Billing account overview** shows your current spend, forecast, and any remaining free credits.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/07-billing-overview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=2f09d0735c8f09f6129b0c8feccea645" alt="Billing account overview with cost trend and credits" width="1830" height="1344" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/07-billing-overview.png" />

<Note>
  Google usually provides a monthly free usage credit, but a billing account must still be attached or every Maps API call returns `REQUEST_DENIED`.
</Note>

### Step 3 — Enable the required APIs

Go to **APIs & Services → Library** and enable each API your agent will use. Search for the API, open it, and click **Enable**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/08-enable-places-api.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=5e4f9fbb27db8cdf0008aa64942fb31d" alt="Enable the Places API" width="1041" height="738" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/08-enable-places-api.png" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/09-enable-geocoding-api.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=8196217d3ab9027c53202e310ff8743c" alt="Enable the Geocoding API" width="1962" height="792" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/09-enable-geocoding-api.png" />

For full UnleashX functionality, enable all of these: **Places API**, **Geocoding API**, **Directions API**, **Distance Matrix API**, **Time Zone API**, **Roads API**, and **Elevation API**. At minimum, the three below cover most agent use cases:

| You want to…                                    | Enable this API                                  |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Find nearby businesses / autocomplete addresses | **Places API**                                   |
| Convert addresses ↔ latitude/longitude          | **Geocoding API**                                |
| Display a map on a website                      | **Maps JavaScript API**                          |
| Get routes & directions                         | **Directions API** (or the newer **Routes API**) |

<Warning>
  If an API isn't enabled, the matching tool will fail with `REQUEST_DENIED`. Enable it in the Library and retry.
</Warning>

### Step 4 — Create the API key

Open **APIs & Services → Credentials** (from the Maps Platform docs you can also click **Go to the Credentials page**).

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/10-go-to-credentials.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=6b3f7aa156cc3e0d1446523ab0322684" alt="Go to the Credentials page from the Maps Platform docs" width="1033" height="856" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/10-go-to-credentials.png" />

Click **Create credentials → API key**. Google generates the key string immediately.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/11-create-credentials-api-key.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=901ec8107b94f292836781882fc6844b" alt="Create credentials and choose API key" width="610" height="563" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/11-create-credentials-api-key.png" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/12-maps-platform-create-key.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=45fb9d0cc8f6d9305a6424177e1f0883" alt="Create an API key from the Maps Platform Keys & Credentials page" width="1920" height="706" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/12-maps-platform-create-key.png" />

The **Credentials** page lists API keys, OAuth 2.0 Client IDs, and service accounts. For Maps MCP you only need a plain **API key** — not an OAuth client ID or service account.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/13-credentials-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=297d32f6d01177973968b34302908ea8" alt="The Credentials page with the Create credentials dropdown" width="1915" height="901" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/13-credentials-menu.png" />

<Warning>
  Treat the API key like a password. Copy it now and store it securely. For safety, restrict the key (next step) so it can't be misused if it ever leaks.
</Warning>

### Step 5 — Restrict the key (recommended)

Click the newly created key to open its settings. Restrictions prevent quota theft and unauthorized use.

**Application restrictions** — limit *who* can use the key:

* For **websites** (frontend Maps JavaScript): choose **HTTP referrers** and add your domains, e.g. `https://yourdomain.com/*` and `https://www.yourdomain.com/*`.
* For **backend servers** (the typical UnleashX/MCP case): choose **IP addresses** and add your server IP. If your server IP isn't fixed, leave it as **None** and rely on the API restrictions below.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/14-restrict-http-referrers.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=31236aa3b27cbd589da16b2605647fcc" alt="Restrict the key to HTTP referrers and add your website" width="574" height="455" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/14-restrict-http-referrers.png" />

**API restrictions** — limit *which* APIs the key can call. Select **Restrict key**, then tick only the APIs you enabled in Step 3.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/15-restrict-and-rename-key.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=7c6a22aaf526105ccaeb677a13b2a8d3" alt="Restrict and rename the API key, selecting only the APIs you use" width="839" height="1403" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/15-restrict-and-rename-key.png" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/16-application-api-restrictions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=8f717f3a8781142ecc279eea2c0f8ef0" alt="Application and API restrictions with the selected APIs listed" width="1198" height="1204" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/16-application-api-restrictions.png" />

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/google-maps/setup/17-website-api-restrictions-save.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=fc2e95e811bb6214f29d060430a0997e" alt="Website and API restrictions, then Save" width="1269" height="1063" data-path="images/mcp/google-maps/setup/17-website-api-restrictions-save.png" />

Click **Save**. Changes can take up to **5 minutes** to take effect. Your restricted key is now ready to paste into UnleashX (Section 4).

### Permissions / APIs this key uses

| API                 | Plain-English reason UnleashX needs it          |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Places API          | Search for places and fetch place details.      |
| Geocoding API       | Convert addresses ↔ coordinates.                |
| Directions API      | Calculate routes between points.                |
| Distance Matrix API | Estimate travel times and distances.            |
| Time Zone API       | Look up the local timezone for a location.      |
| Roads API           | Snap GPS points to the nearest roads.           |
| Elevation API       | Get ground elevation for coordinates or a path. |

## 4. Connect on UnleashX

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your agent">
    Sign in at [tryunleashx.com](https://www.tryunleashx.com) and open the agent you want to give Google Maps access to.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Data Connectors">
    Open **Data Connectors** and find **Google Maps** in the list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    Click **Connect** / **Add** / **Configure** and paste your Maps Platform **API key** (sent as the `api-key` / `api_key` credential). Authenticate once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm success">
    When the key works, the status changes to a **Connected** badge. Your agent can now use the Google Maps tools below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Use Google Maps in a Workflow

Once connected, you can add **Google Maps** to any automation from the **Workflows** builder. Its triggers and tools appear in the Apps panel, marked with an **MCP** badge.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a trigger or action node">
    Open **Workflows → New Workflow**. On the canvas, click **+ Add Trigger** (or the **+** below any node) to add a step.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/workflows/05-add-trigger.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=449a0c03b0c7b40e571ec02373a85259" alt="Add a trigger on the workflow canvas" width="1390" height="722" data-path="images/mcp/workflows/05-add-trigger.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick Google Maps from the Apps panel">
    In the **Paths** panel, open the **Apps** tab and select **Google Maps**. Use the search box if you have many connectors.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/unleashx/LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k/images/mcp/workflows/06-apps-list.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=LXZeho1M8XzFkz0k&q=85&s=bbb8bb6e668c4f8e1f6fd5e4955a45f0" alt="Choose your app from the Apps list" width="2446" height="1550" data-path="images/mcp/workflows/06-apps-list.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a trigger or tool">
    Pick the trigger or action you want. Configure its fields — required fields are marked with a red asterisk (\*).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add or select your account">
    Under **Selected account**, choose an already-connected account, or click **Add Account** to connect one now.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and test">
    Fill in the remaining fields and click **Save**. Use **Test** to verify the step, then toggle **Publish** when the workflow is ready.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The steps are the same for every connector. For the full workflow builder guide, see [Using MCP in Workflows](/mcp/workflows).
</Note>

## 5. Available tools

This server exposes **14 tools**. All Google Maps tools are **read-only** (they look up data and never change anything in your account).

| Tool name                      | What it does                                                                      | Changes data? |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
| **Search Nearby**              | Find places near a location, with radius/rating/open-now filters.                 | No            |
| **Get Place Details**          | Get full details for a place by place ID.                                         | No            |
| **Geocode**                    | Convert an address into coordinates.                                              | No            |
| **Reverse Geocode**            | Convert coordinates back into an address.                                         | No            |
| **Distance Matrix**            | Calculate travel time/distance between many origins and destinations.             | No            |
| **Directions**                 | Get a route between an origin and destination.                                    | No            |
| **Elevation**                  | Get ground elevation for a list of coordinates.                                   | No            |
| **Search Places**              | Search places by text query (with optional location bias).                        | No            |
| **Search Place Details**       | Search places and enrich each with detailed info (phone, hours, website, rating). | No            |
| **Get Place Details (Single)** | Get details for a single place by place ID.                                       | No            |
| **Get Directions**             | Get directions with optional waypoints and travel mode.                           | No            |
| **Get Timezone**               | Look up the timezone for a location and timestamp.                                | No            |
| **Get Roads**                  | Snap a path of points to the nearest roads.                                       | No            |
| **Get Elevation**              | Get elevation for places/coordinates, optionally sampled along a path.            | No            |

<Info>
  There are two families of tools with overlapping capabilities. Your agent picks whichever best fits the request — both run read-only lookups against Google Maps Platform.
</Info>

## 6. Example usage

**"Find coffee shops within 1 km of MG Road, Bengaluru that are open now and rated 4+."**
→ Runs **Search Nearby** (geocodes the location, then filters by radius, open-now, and minimum rating).

**"How long does it take to drive from Indiranagar to Bangalore Airport right now?"**
→ Runs **Directions** (or **Distance Matrix**) to estimate the route and travel time.

## 7. Permissions & data access

**UnleashX can:**

* Search for places and fetch place details (name, address, phone, hours, rating, website).
* Geocode and reverse-geocode addresses and coordinates.
* Calculate routes, travel times, and distances.
* Look up timezones, snap points to roads, and get elevation.

**UnleashX cannot:**

* Create, edit, or delete anything in Google Maps — every tool is read-only.
* Access your personal Google Maps history, saved places, or Timeline.
* Change your Google Cloud project, billing, or API settings.

**How to disconnect:** In your agent's **Data Connectors**, open Google Maps and choose **Disconnect** to stop UnleashX from using the key immediately. To fully revoke access, **delete or regenerate** the API key in **APIs & Services → Credentials**.

## 8. Troubleshooting

| Problem                                    | What it means                                                                       | How to fix it                                                                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `401 Unauthorized` / "API key is required" | No valid API key was provided.                                                      | Reconnect Google Maps with a valid Maps Platform API key.                                                            |
| `REQUEST_DENIED` / 403                     | The API isn't enabled, billing is off, or the key is restricted away from that API. | Enable the needed API in **APIs & Services → Library**, confirm billing is on, and check the key's API restrictions. |
| `OVER_QUERY_LIMIT` / 429                   | You've hit your usage quota or rate limit.                                          | Wait, raise your quota, or enable billing/upgrade in Google Cloud.                                                   |
| `ZERO_RESULTS`                             | The query was valid but no places/routes matched.                                   | Broaden the search, increase the radius, or check the spelling of the address.                                       |
| "Invalid coordinate format"                | A location wasn't a recognizable address or `lat,lng` pair.                         | Provide a real address or coordinates as `latitude,longitude`.                                                       |

For general connector issues, see [/mcp/integrations](/mcp/integrations).

## 9. Frequently asked questions

**Does this cost money?**
Google Maps Platform is billed by usage, but includes a substantial monthly free tier. Light agent use often stays within it; heavy use may incur charges from Google (not UnleashX).

**Is any data changed in my account?**
No. Every tool here is read-only — it only looks up location information.

**Can I use one key across multiple agents?**
Yes. The same Maps Platform API key can be connected to multiple agents. For security, restrict the key to only the APIs you use.

**Why did a tool fail with "REQUEST\_DENIED"?**
Usually the specific API (e.g. Directions API) isn't enabled for your project, or your key is restricted away from it. Enable the API and adjust the key restrictions.

## 10. References

* [Google Cloud Console — Credentials](https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials)
* [Google Maps Platform documentation](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation)
* [Get an API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/get-api-key)
* [API key best practices & restrictions](https://developers.google.com/maps/api-security-best-practices)
* [Places API](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/places/web-service/overview)
* [Maps Platform pricing](https://mapsplatform.google.com/pricing/)