Google Maps scraping

Also called: Google Maps data extraction, Google Maps scraper.

People scrape Google Maps because it's the most complete public directory of local businesses: name, category, address, phone, website, hours, rating and review count for millions of places. Tools range from browser extensions and Python scripts to cloud services and lead platforms.

Two practical limits shape every method. Maps shows a limited number of results per search, so covering a city needs many searches across smaller areas (see grid search). And listings rarely include email addresses, so emails have to come from each business's own website.

Legality has three separate parts. Contract: Google's Maps terms prohibit mass downloading or creating bulk feeds of content, and list business listings databases, mailing lists and telemarketing lists among datasets you may not create or augment with Google Maps for a similar service; the Maps Platform terms also prohibit scraping. Privacy: business facts are generally public business information, but a named person's data is personal data under GDPR and similar laws. Outreach: how you use the list is governed by CAN-SPAM, PECR, CASL and others.

None of this is legal advice. If your business depends on Maps data, read the terms yourself and talk to a lawyer.

Example

A web designer wants every bakery in Denver. One Maps search shows a fraction of them, so they search neighborhood by neighborhood, dedupe by Place ID, and look up each bakery's website for an email.