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Changes to Google Maps API and Google’s New Billing Structure

Changes to Google Maps API and Google’s New Billing Structure

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By Jane Daffy - Client Services on Friday, 15 February 2019

Changes to Google Maps API and Google’s New Billing Structure

In 2018 Google made an announcement that read in part: 

"Beginning June 11, you'll need a valid API key and a Google Cloud Platform billing account to access our core products. Once you enable billing, you will gain access to your $200 of free monthly usage to use for our Maps, Routes, and Places products..."

Read the Article: Google Maps Platform: Introducing Google Maps Platform

What does this mean?

Google has introduced a significant change to Google Maps services that involves transitioning it's Application Programming Interface (APIs) into three key services called  Maps, Routes and Places . 

As part of this initiative, Google has advised that from 16th July 2018, websites using Google Maps are now required to have a valid API key and a linked Google Cloud Platform Account with enabled credit card billing. 

As a result, Google will no longer support keyless usage of Maps. This means that websites and website applications using keyless Maps may experience technical issues such as: 

  • Maps may display at low resolution or not display at all
  • Maps may not function as expected
  • Maps may display a watermark message 'this page can't load Google Maps properly' or 'for development purposes only'

Google Maps Billing Changes

Under the new billing structure from 16th July 2018, Google will charge based on Maps usage volume. The new pricing is based on a pay-as-you-go method. 

The good news is that Google will provide a $200.00 free usage credit per month for each Google Cloud Platform Account for Maps, Route or Places when billing is enabled. 


The Google Cloud Platform features tools to monitor Map usage via the Billing Report section. Information on billing, rates and map spend can be viewed via the account. Google Cloud Platform also features a Budget & Alerts section where you can set daily quotas to help avoid unexpected map charges. 

If Maps exceeds the $200.00 monthly credit, you will only be charged for what you use. 

For more information on Google's Pricing and Billing Changes please see resources below.

What is the next step?

Google Maps is as an optional service available to iASP Central powered websites. If you have not already, please provide your instructions via the questionnaire here:


Instructions - How to Get an API Key

To apply for an API Key, please follow these steps:

  1. Firstly, if you don't have a Google Account, you will need to sign up for an account. Sign up for a Google Account here .

  2. Once signed into your Google Account, go to Google Cloud Platform Console

  3. Click on APIs & Service tab - this will open the Google Cloud Platform APIs & Services Dashboard 










       
  4. Create a Project by clicking on 'Create' button










       
  5. Create a New Project by adding Project Name (i.e. API Maps) and click create
    Project name: API Maps
    Location: No Organisation 










       
  6. Once you've created a project, in the API & Services Dashboard click on 'Enable APIS and Services'










       
  7. The API Library will open. Now select the API
    (You will require a total of 3 APIs for Maps JavaScript AP, Directions API and Geocoding API. However, you will need to select each API individually and enable each API individually)
    For example: Click on Maps Java Script API










       
    Click on Enable Button:










       
    Once the Maps Javascript API is enabled the page will display as per below screenshot. Click on the back 'arrow' button to return to API Library. 










       
    Once an API is Enabled it should display on the APIs page under 'Enabled APIs':










       
    IMPORTANT -  Please repeat this step a total of 3 x times as you will need to enable 3 x APIs for:

    Directions API 
    Geocoding API 
    Maps JavaScript API

    This means you will need to enable each API for Directions API, Geocoding API and Maps Javascript API.

  8. Once you have completed step 7 and enabled all 3 x APIs they will appear listed in 'Enabled APIs':










       
  9. Now Click on Google Cloud Platform to be taken back to the Dashboard










       
  10. Hover the mouse over the APIs& Services tab on left hand side and select 'Credentials' from the drop down menu










       
  11. On the 'Credentials' page, click on 'Create Credentials' down arrow and select API Key 










       
  12. An API Key will then be created:










       
  13. Now click on 'Restrict Key'










       
  14. In Application restrictions select: HTTP Referrers (web sites)










       
  15. In "Accept requests from these HTTP referrers (web sites) please add your website domain using the following format:

    https://*.example.com/*

    For example: https://*.iasp.com.au/*










       
  16. Once you add your domain in this format it will appear as per screenshot below:










       
  17. Then click Save. To check your API key is restricted it will appear in list view under 'Restrictions'










       
  18. Click on the copy button to copy the API key










       
  19. Once you have copied the API Key, then paste it in an email and send to Enotia Support via support@enotia.com.au.










       
The next step is to enable credit card billing on your Google Cloud Platform Account. Please refer to instructions below.


How to Enable Credit Card Billing on Google Cloud Platform Account 

In order for an API to work,  credit card billing must be enabled in the Google Cloud Platform Console. 
To do this, please follow these steps:
  1. Login to your Google Account
  2. Go to Google Cloud Platform Console
  3. Open the left-hand side menu and click on Billing










       
  4. If you have more than one billing account, select Go to linked billing account. If your new to Google Cloud Platform and want to add a new billing account, select Manage Billing accounts.









       
  5. Follow the steps, add your payment information and save.
    Read: Google Cloud: Add, remove, or update a payment method

How to View Billing 

Once credit card billing is enabled, you can track and monitor billing reports. 
When logged into the Google Cloud Platform Account, click on the Billing section. 

The Billing section contains important information about your account including Transactions, Reports, Budgets & Alerts and an Overview. Track and monitor usage and spend in Reports. For more information on Billing please see Resources below. 


Resources 

Billing and Pricing: 

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