Local Business Discovery and Mapping
Search for nearby businesses, find places by text query, and convert between addresses and coordinates using Google Maps.
Actions
nearby_search
Search for places near a location by category.
Required: At least one of address OR (latitude + longitude)
Optional:
included_types(array) - Category groups to include (see Category Groups below)excluded_types(array) - Category groups to excluderadius_meters(integer, 1-50000, default: 1000) - Search radius in metersmax_results(integer, 1-50, default: 50) - Maximum results to return
Example - Find restaurants near an address:
{
"action": "nearby_search",
"address": "Times Square, New York, NY",
"included_types": ["restaurants_and_dining"],
"radius_meters": 500,
"max_results": 10
}
Example - Find hotels near coordinates:
{
"action": "nearby_search",
"latitude": 40.7580,
"longitude": -73.9855,
"included_types": ["lodging_and_accommodation"],
"radius_meters": 2000
}
Example - Find everything except restaurants:
{
"action": "nearby_search",
"address": "Downtown Chicago, IL",
"excluded_types": ["restaurants_and_dining", "cafes_and_light_fare"],
"radius_meters": 1000
}
text_search
Search for places using a free-text query. Optionally bias results toward a location.
Required:
query(string) - The search text
Optional:
address(string) - Bias results toward this addresslatitude/longitude(number) - Bias results toward these coordinatesradius_meters(integer, 1-50000, default: 1000) - Bias radius in metersmax_results(integer, 1-50, default: 50) - Maximum results to return
Example - Search by query with location bias:
{
"action": "text_search",
"query": "best pizza in Brooklyn",
"address": "Brooklyn, NY",
"radius_meters": 5000,
"max_results": 10
}
Example - Search without location bias:
{
"action": "text_search",
"query": "Statue of Liberty"
}
geocode
Convert a street address or place name into geographic coordinates.
Required:
address(string) - The address or place name to geocode
Example:
{
"action": "geocode",
"address": "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA"
}
Returns: Formatted address, latitude/longitude, place ID, and address components.
reverse_geocode
Convert geographic coordinates into a human-readable address.
Required:
latitude(number, -90 to 90)longitude(number, -180 to 180)
Example:
{
"action": "reverse_geocode",
"latitude": 37.4224764,
"longitude": -122.0842499
}
Returns: Formatted address, place ID, and address components.
Category Groups
Use these values in included_types and excluded_types for nearby_search:
| Category | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| restaurants_and_dining | Restaurants of all cuisines (Italian, Chinese, Mexican, etc.), fast food, fine dining, steakhouses |
| cafes_and_light_fare | Coffee shops, tea houses, cafes, bagel/donut/juice shops |
| bars_and_nightlife | Bars, pubs, wine bars, night clubs, karaoke |
| bakeries_and_sweets | Bakeries, candy stores, ice cream shops, chocolate shops |
| food_retail_and_markets | Grocery stores, supermarkets, delis, butcher shops, convenience stores |
| food_services | Catering, food courts, food delivery, sandwich shops |
| lodging_and_accommodation | Hotels, motels, hostels, B&Bs, resorts, inns |
| shopping_general | Malls, department stores, discount stores, gift shops |
| shopping_specialty_retail | Book stores, clothing, jewelry, electronics, pet stores, florists |
| automotive | Car dealers, repair, rental, car wash, gas stations, EV charging |
| health_and_medical | Hospitals, doctors, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacies |
| beauty_and_personal_care | Salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons, wellness centers |
| fitness_and_sports | Gyms, sports clubs, swimming pools, yoga studios, bowling alleys |
| parks_and_nature | Parks, gardens, beaches, hiking areas, wildlife parks |
| entertainment_and_attractions | Amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, casinos |
| arts_and_culture | Museums, art galleries, cultural centers, historical landmarks |
| performing_arts_and_venues | Theaters, concert halls, arenas, stadiums, event venues |
| religious_sites | Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples |
| education | Schools, universities, preschools, camps |
| government_and_civic | City hall, courthouses, post offices, police/fire stations |
| financial_services | Banks, ATMs, accounting firms, insurance agencies |
| professional_services | Lawyers, consultants, real estate agencies |
| home_services_and_contractors | Electricians, plumbers, locksmiths, hardware stores, moving companies |
| transportation | Airports, train stations, bus stops, subway stations, ferry terminals |
| travel_and_tourism | Travel agencies, tour operators, visitor centers |
| residential | Apartment buildings, condos, housing complexes |
| geographic_administrative | Countries, states, cities, postal codes |
| outdoor_recreation | Campgrounds, RV parks, farms, ski resorts |
| community_and_social | Community centers, libraries, public baths |
| miscellaneous_services | Laundry, tailors, courier services, veterinary care |
Common Workflows
Find and locate a business type:
- Use
nearby_searchwith a category to find businesses near a location - Use
geocodeto get exact coordinates for any address from the results
Identify what is at a location:
- Use
reverse_geocodewith coordinates to get the address - Use
nearby_searchwith those coordinates to discover surrounding businesses
Search and filter:
- Use
text_searchwith a descriptive query for broad results - Use
nearby_searchwithincluded_typesfor category-specific filtered results
Important Notes
- For
nearby_search, you must provide either anaddressor bothlatitudeandlongitude. If you provide an address, it is automatically geocoded to coordinates. - For
text_search, location parameters are optional and serve as a bias (not a strict boundary). - The
included_typesandexcluded_typesparameters only apply tonearby_search. They do not work withtext_search. - Maximum search radius is 50,000 meters (50 km).
- Maximum results per request is 50.







