Google Maps Blog Posts

A collection of Google Maps Platform techical writing

Fix Bad Addresses with the Google Address Validation API

This blog post explores how the Google Address Validation API enhances delivery success by parsing, standardizing, and verifying addresses worldwide. It addresses the real-world cost of failed deliveries—up to 20 % of e-commerce packages don’t arrive on the first attempt—and explains how the API can help prevent these issues by ensuring address accuracy. The article includes pricing details, use case examples, and walks you through building a demo app that shows how to call the API and process its response

GMPRO docs: Routing for Demand Responsive Transport

This post walks readers through how to model demand-responsive transport (DRT) - such as shared mobility, microtransit, or employee shuttle services - as a vehicle routing problem and then use Google Maps Platform’s Route Optimization API (GMPRO) to power it

GMPRO docs: Cut cost / raise care with smart NEMT routing

The blog post explains how to use Google Maps Platform’s Route Optimization API to improve non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). It outlines how to model trips with specific needs - like wheelchair access or tight time windows, as a dial-a-ride problem, then shows how smart routing can boost on-time performance, reduce costs, and better serve patients.

A practical guide to the Google Geocoding API

This post kicks off a friendly tutorial series exploring the Google Geocoding API, the platform’s second‑most popular API after Maps. It introduces both forward and reverse geocoding, plus related tools like Address Validation and Building Outlines & Entrances. Packed with clear explanations, working examples, demos, and source code, it's perfect for developers looking to convert between addresses and coordinates, validate addresses, or visually display building footprints on a map.

Google reverse geocoding: Get addresses from coordinates

This post flips the script - showing how to take latitude/longitude coordinates and transform them into human-readable addresses using Google’s Forward Geocoding API. It includes step-by-step guidance, a demo app, and source code, making it easy to add reverse geocoding features - like turning GPS data into proper addresses on a map to your projects.

Forward geocoding with the Google Geocoding API

Here, you'll dive into the nuts and bolts of forward geocoding using Google’s Geocoding API - turning street addresses into latitude and longitude. The article walks you through how to make requests, showcases real-world use cases like mapping and address validation, and even includes a live demo app and sample code to try yourself.

Google Maps Search Along Route

This article introduces the Google Search Along Route API, which allows developers to identify places along a route that match a free-form text string. By integrating this API, applications can enhance user experiences by suggesting relevant stops or points of interest during a journey.

Using the Google Distance Matrix API for Taxi Dispatch

This post explores how to leverage the Google Distance Matrix API to build an efficient taxi dispatch system. It discusses methods to calculate optimal routes and estimated arrival times, thereby improving dispatch accuracy and customer satisfaction.

Plan a Route with Multiple Stops Using the Routes API

The article delves into the capabilities of the Google Maps Routes API for creating routes with multiple stops. It covers functionalities such as obtaining travel times, finding alternate routes, avoiding tolls, and drawing routes between multiple points, providing a comprehensive guide for developers.

A Developer's Guide to the Google Routes API

This guide offers an in-depth look at using the Google Maps Routes API to plan routes with multiple stops, retrieve travel times, avoid tolls, and search for places along a route. It serves as a valuable resource for developers aiming to integrate advanced routing features into their applications.

Google Navigation SDK Standalone

This post introduces the Google Navigation SDK, enabling developers to add turn-by-turn directions to Android or iOS applications. It highlights the SDK's features and provides insights into integrating navigation functionalities seamlessly.

Getting Started with the Google Navigation SDK

A tutorial focused on building a basic in-app turn-by-turn navigation app for Android using the Google Navigation SDK. It guides readers through setup, permissions, and implementing navigation features, serving as a foundational resource for developers new to the SDK.

Google Maps Building Outlines and Entrances API

This article introduces the Google Maps Building Outlines and Entrances API, which allows developers to display building outlines and entrance locations on maps. Such features can enhance applications that require precise building information, such as delivery or navigation services. ​

GMPRO Docs: Complete All Deliveries Before Pickups in Cargo Bike Logistics

This post discusses using the pickupToDeliveryTimeLimit feature in GMPRO to ensure that all deliveries are completed before accepting new pickups. It addresses challenges specific to cargo bike logistics and offers solutions to optimize delivery sequences.

GMPRO Docs: Driver Breaks

The article explains how to add driver breaks to a route using the Google Maps Platform Route Optimization API. It covers the importance of incorporating rest periods into route planning to comply with regulations and maintain driver well-being.

GMPRO Docs: Driver Load Balancing with Soft Constraints

This post explores methods to apply vehicle loads and capacities to distribute stops evenly using the softMaxLoad and costPerUnitAboveSoftMax fields in GMPRO. It provides insights into balancing workloads among drivers to improve efficiency.

GMPRO Docs: Solving the VRP with Route Clustering and Soft Constraints

The article discusses using GMPRO's distanceLimit and softMaxMeters fields to optimally cluster delivery routes. It addresses the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and offers strategies for effective route clustering.

GMPRO Docs: Territory Optimization and Route Planning

This post explains how to use the costsPerVehicle parameter to build a territory optimization system with GMPRO. It highlights strategies for defining territories and planning routes to enhance operational efficiency.

GMPRO Docs: Fixed Vehicle Costs

The article explores methods to minimize the number of vehicles needed by adjusting fixed and variable costs in GMPRO. It provides insights into cost-effective fleet management and route planning.

Fleet Routing App - Free Google Maps Route Planner for Multiple Stops

This post introduces the Google Maps free route planner and demonstrates how to use it to evaluate routes created in GMPRO. It serves as a practical guide for users seeking efficient route planning solutions. blog.afi.io

Google Maps Route Optimization: Multi-Vehicle

The article discusses solving the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) using GMPRO, Google's route optimization API. It provides strategies for optimizing routes for multiple vehicles to improve logistics operations.

GMPRO TSP Solver: Google Maps with More Than 25 Waypoints

This post explores solving the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) using Google's route optimization API, specifically addressing scenarios with more than 25 waypoints. It offers solutions for complex routing challenges.

GMPRO: Google Maps Platform Route Optimization API

An introduction to GMPRO, Google's route optimization API. The article provides an overview of its features and applications in optimizing routes for various logistics needs.

Google Places Text Search

This post discusses using the Google Text Search API to help users quickly find places with simple, natural text queries. It highlights the API's capabilities in enhancing search functionalities within applications.

Google Nearby Search API

The article explains how to use the Google Nearby Search API to find nearby places Google Places Insights API Introduces the Google Places Insights API, which offers aggregated data on place types within a region. The post shows how to visualize cafe density in Vancouver using a heat map. Ideal for market analysis, the API is free in preview, with pricing expected later.

What is the Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles API? This article explores the Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles API, which enables developers to create immersive 3D map experiences using high-resolution, photorealistic tiles. The API supports interactive features like panning, zooming, tilting, and rotating, making it ideal for applications in virtual tourism, real estate, and city planning. The post also highlights innovative projects from a recent Google hackathon that leveraged this technology for various use cases.

How to Pan, Zoom, and Adjust Tilt on Google Maps 3D This tutorial delves into controlling the camera perspective in Google Maps 3D using the Photorealistic 3D Tiles API. It explains how to manipulate parameters like center, range, tilt, and heading to achieve desired views. The guide includes practical examples, such as creating a tourist explorer app for Vancouver that smoothly transitions between landmarks using the flyCameraTo function. Use Place Autocomplete to Go Anywhere on Google Maps 3D This post demonstrates how to integrate the Google Place Autocomplete API with the Photorealistic 3D Tiles API to allow users to search for locations and "fly" to them in a 3D map environment. The tutorial provides code snippets for setting up the autocomplete widget, handling user selections, and animating the camera to the chosen location, enhancing user interaction and navigation within the map.​

Meet the Google Weather API: Real-Time Weather for Maps This article introduces the Google Weather API, unveiled at Google Next 2025, which offers real-time and forecasted weather data for any global location. The API provides detailed information, including temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed, along with visual icons for easy integration into applications. The post outlines potential use cases, such as building weather-aware route planners and delivery management tools, and notes that the API is currently free during its preview phase.

Google Maps Weather: Add a Weather Layer to Google Maps

This blog post from Afi Labs shows you how to build a Google Weather map using the new Google Weather API. It covers how to display current conditions and a 7-day forecast directly on map markers and sidebars in a React app. With step-by-step guidance, sample code, and a live demo, it’s ideal for developers building weather-aware maps for travel, logistics, or outdoor apps. The post also highlights the July 2025 launch of the Weather API and its integration potential with other Google Maps tools.

Google Geocoding API

This post shows how to implement forward and reverse geocoding, address validation, and building outlines using the Google Geocoding API, supplemented with hands-on demos and forthcoming source code

Forward Geocoding with the Google Geocoding API

This Afi Labs post (Part 2 of their Geocoding series) demonstrates how to use the Google Geocoding API for forward geocoding—converting address strings into latitude/longitude coordinates. It walks developers through obtaining an API key, crafting GET requests, and interpreting JSON responses with practical examples. Ideal for apps that require mapping address data for routes, analytics, or location services, the tutorial includes clear code snippets, live demos, and emphasizes best practices for efficiency and reliability

Google Reverse Geocoding: Get Addresses from Coordinates

Afi Labs' blog post, “Google Reverse Geocoding: Get Addresses from Coordinates,” provides a practical guide to converting latitude and longitude (Google Reverse Geocoding) into human-readable addresses using the Google Geocoding API. It explains how reverse geocoding works, the importance of result types like street_address or neighborhood, and how to filter for more accurate results. The post includes a step-by-step example using Vancouver coordinates, highlights best practices for API use, and offers a live demo app with open-source code. It's a helpful resource for developers building location-aware apps with Google Maps Platform.