Places API release notes

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This page is updated with each new release of the Places API. The changelog lists releases by date and includes any new features, bug fixes and significant performance improvements.

See the Getting Started documentation for information on how to get started using the Places API.

February 21, 2024

Places API

Announcing the General Availability (GA) release of the Places API. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all other releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

Autocomplete (New) and session tokens

The Autocomplete (New) service returns place predictions and query predictions based on full words and substrings of an input. For more information, see Autocomplete (New).

Session tokens are user-generated strings that group the query and selection phases of a search using Autocomplete (New) into a discrete "session" for billing purposes. For more information, see Session tokens.

Note: Autocomplete (New) and session tokens are in preview.

New Text Search parameters

Two new evOptions parameters are available as optional fields in Text Search:

  • connectorTypes: Filters by the type of EV charging connector available at a place.
  • minimumChargingRateKw: Filters places by minimum EV charging rate in kilowatts (kW).

New fields: evChargeOptions, fuelOptions, parkingOptions

The following fields are available in GA and are charged for use:

  • evChargeOptions: Number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers at this station.
  • fuelOptions: The most recent information about fuel options available at a gas station.
  • parkingOptions: Parking options provided by the place.

For more information, see About the Places API (New).

New Place Details SKU

SKU: Place Details (Location Only) is a Preview feature that contains fields that were previously included in SKU: Place Details (Basic). Usage during Preview is at no charge.

For more information, see SKU: Place Details (Location Only).

October 26, 2023

Places API

Announcing the General Availability (GA) release of the Places API. See the Release Notes for information about this release and for all other releases.

If you are a new user, see Set Up in the Google Cloud Console to start the installation process.

New APIs, fields, and accessibility options

Four new APIs are available through the Places API (New):

  • Nearby Search: Takes one or more place types and returns a list of matching places within the specified area.
  • Text Search: Returns information about a set of places based on string.
  • Place Details: Returns comprehensive information about a particular establishment or point of interest.
  • Place Photos: Provides access to high-quality photos stored in the Places database.

New fields provide more information about a place, including secondary opening hours, payment and parking options, EV charging availability, and more.

New attributes provide additional context about a place, including whether a place has outdoor seating, live music, a children's menu, restrooms, and more.

New accessibility options indicate whether a place has wheelchair-accessible parking, entrances, restrooms, and seating.

For more information, see About the New Places APIs.