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Google Maps geocoder for locations

I am looking for a way to geocode places with google maps. The Geocoder API provides the ability to use addresses for geocoding. But what if you do not know the address and only the city and the name of the restaurant? Or do I want results for Mc Donalds Berlin or just Bar Berlin?

I found this post where it asks exactly what I need: Suggest a list in Google Maps for search

And on my blog I found a solution

It works very well and is incredibly fast! I checked the source code and saw that it was using this url:

http://maps-api-ssl.google.com/maps/suggest?hl=en&gl=us&v=2&json=b&auth=4c8b041euWw4-3h2-Ty2fD3D1BKVQqJCEcU&src=1,2&num=5&numps=5&callback=handleResponse&q=........

Btw, this is the same URL that maps.google.comajax uses to get its autocomplete.

Now my questions are:

  • Is this URL allowed for my own site?
  • Do I need a special API key? (due to auth = var in the URL above)
  • Or is it like a paid service?
  • Are there any other ways to solve the problem? for example with the standard geocoding API from google?
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You might want to check out the Google Places API for places:

Google Places API

Another way to do this is through YQL, but I'm not 100% sure about its accuracy. Go to the YQL Console and try the following query:

select * from local.search where query="outback steakhouse" and location="atlanta, ga"

This will give you a place at Outback Steakhouse in Atlanta, Georgia. You can also request organizers around zipcode:

select * from local.search where zip='30045' and query='restaurant'

I am sure there are ways to request venues at a specific point using YQL.

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