Google Maps Scraper Guidelines
Table of Contents
Introduction
Google Maps Scraper is the best tool for extracting data, especially when scraping business intelligence. However, because of the many tools available online claiming to deliver results, yet falling short of the expected results.
This results in tons of misinformation, scams, or worse, misleading businesses leading to bankruptcy. Fortunately, this article will discuss the best-suited and reliable Google Maps Scraper tools that are effective in data extraction in businesses and lead generation.
In addition, it also provides a thorough discussion on what users should know before considering using a Google Maps Scraper tool. Thus, the best options for gathering business intelligence are. Whether for personal or enterprise scraping.
What is Google Maps Scraper
Google Maps Scraper is a tool designed to scrape business intelligence from Google Maps. It covers business names, names (owners), phone numbers, addresses, websites, ratings, categories (type of business), and may include operating hours. It is helpful to have insights into gathering qualified leads, providing data for market research and analysis, and understanding the competition’s operation.
Instead of manually searching and compiling these business insights, Google Maps Scraper automates the process. Evidently, it saves time and resources; the extracted data is structured and ready for use. It is usually formatted into CSV or JSON, which is accessible for both technical and non-technical users.
How Does a Google Maps Scraper Work
Have you ever wondered how Google Maps Scraper works? You’re not alone; Google Maps has 2 billion monthly active users as of 2024. Which means, even at 1% of its monthly users, that is staggering 20 million in total who would ask how Google Maps Scraper works.
So how does it really work? Google Maps Scraper serves as a data scraper or extractor of business insights, used for extensive planning and strategic marketing purposes. It automates the collection of information from online sources, including Google Maps, social media platforms, business listings, ratings, and reviews.
Key components that show how Google Maps Scraper works:
- Automates location intelligence ( addresses, store locations, market mapping, etc.)
- Searching for businesses or industries using keywords, categories (type of business), and geographical location (coordinates)
- Scaled data gathering to a specific business or industry in a location
- Advanced filters to refine the search and additional enrichments
- API Integration for data extraction
Types of Google Maps Scraper
Google Maps scrapers come in different types, each of which differs based on its function and capabilities. These five types are the most common and frequently used to extract data for businesses and other industries alike.
API-based Scrapers
API-based Scrapers are specialized tools that automate data extraction and convert it into a structured and consistent format. Data from Google Maps is converted into a structured and consistent format, such as CSV or JSON.
It can handle complex algorithms, often bypass complicated coding (JavaScript), and deal with anti-bot protocols (CAPTCHA’s or IP Blocking). It is also compliant with data privacy laws (GDPR and CCPA), ensuring no compromise of any regulations.
In addition, API integrations are helpful to secure data and use it for actionable business insights. Gathering qualified leads, improving market research, and conducting competition analysis.
Browser Extension
A browser extension is a type of Google Maps Scraper that is integrated directly into the web browser, typically Google Chrome, designed to facilitate data extraction from Google Maps.
Just like other scrapers, it also automates the process of gathering business information such as business names, phone numbers, addresses, emails, social media profiles, and other information from Google Maps.
These extracted business insights are structured and converted into CSV or Excel for easy analysis and use. Because this activity operates inside the browser environment, a browser extension can’t be used as a standalone application; it relies on the browser interface to operate effectively.
Cloud-based Platforms
Google Maps Scraper that was able to extract data such as business name, addresses, contact number, reviews, ratings, customer insights, and more. These platforms are hosted in the cloud and can automate business insights faster and more easily.
It doesn’t require downloading local software for it to run, and no coding is required. It enables a large amount of data extraction, structured and updated business insights that can be downloaded to CSV, Excel, or JSON, and may include Parquet formats.
It is also compliant with Google’s Terms of Service and ensures compliance with community standards regarding the scraping of publicly available information. Typically features a user-friendly interface and flexible pricing options (Monthly, Annual, or Pay-as-you-go).
Enterprise Proxy Services
Enterprise Proxy services are in line with large-scale data extraction. Requiring advanced features that cover extensive API integrations, filters, and advanced features ( IP rotation, Geo-targetting, or Anti-bot CAPTCHA, etc.) to meet the demands of the enterprises.
Key features of Enterprise Proxies for Google Maps Scraping are as follows: Large IP Pools, IP Rotation and Management, Geo-targetting, High Success Rate (reliability of scraped data), Speed and Stability, and reliable customer service.
Pricing depends on what proxy type was used (residential, datacenter, mobile), the quantity of data, and the tools used. Of course, the price range is dependent on what plan or subscription is used.
No-code Scrapers
No-code scrapers can scrape data without prior knowledge of programming. Hence, it allows scraping through a template or a ready-made workflow that automates data extraction.
It also exports data insights into CSV, JSON, or Excel. A convenient way to use in market research and data analysis. A user-friendly interface that helps in gathering qualified leads, structured data sets, and business intelligence that leads to actionable insights.
Free vs. Paid Google Maps Scraper
What to expect with Free Google Maps Scraper to Paid Google Maps Scraper? Their difference is highly dependent on their performance, their features, scalability, convenience, data quality, coverage, and, more importantly, availability of support.
Free Google Maps Scraper
- It is the best suit for beginners, typically used for small-scale or personal applications.
- Comes with limited allowable data extraction ( leads, business insights, etc).
- No advanced features (enrichments) or filters available.
- Constant blockade on Google Maps anti-scraping protocol (CAPTCHA) or IP blocking systems.
- Lack of technical support is a significant disadvantage, especially when handling large datasets.
- It is usable through a browser extension or limited cloud tools for easier access.
- Export files with CSV, Excel, or JSON format.
Paid Google Maps Scraper
- Best suited for scraping business intelligence covering a reliable, up-to-date, and enriched dataset.
- API Integration for smooth scraping and following data privacy protocols.
- Large scale for data automation, good for enterprise (business) or individuals who scrape for larger datasets.
- Provides advanced filtering and ensures data quality and consistency.
- Uses proxy network and handles anti-bot protocols.
- Flexible pricing options; it may vary from pay-as-you-go or subscription plans (monthly or annual).
- Have an extensive support and professional maintenance team to ensure the system is up and working.
Popular Google Maps Scraper Tools (Reviewed)
Undoubtedly, the extraction of data requires a powerful tool to get a reliable and up-to-date dataset to fill in the gaps within market research, to give a different perspective in market analysis. It also ensures businesses produce actionable insights and effective strategies to compete in the market. There are a few effective Google Maps Scraper tools that may suit every customer’s needs.
Bright Data (formerly Luminati)
Bright Data is known for its Proxy Services and enterprise-level data extraction.
- Proxy Networks (residential, data center, ISP, mobile), allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions and be able to scrape datasets.
- Web Access API’s ( Unlocker, Crawl, Serp, Browser ) for data extraction.
- Scrapers that can access more than 100 sites for data extraction.
MapDataScraper
Extracts business data from Google Maps; it effortlessly collects business leads and locations with no coding required.
- Search by keyword and location, allowing users to get accurate business info.
- Download data in ready-to-use CSV formats usable for CRM’s, spreadsheets, and other marketing tools. Best suited for qualifying leads.
- Available services: Emails & Contacts Scraper, Contacts & Leads Enrichment, Email Address Verifier, Chain Info, Google Maps Data Scraper, Google Maps Reviews Scraper, Google Maps Search by Domains, Google Maps Photos Scraper, Yellow Pages Search Scraper, Baidu Maps Scraper, Y.E.L.P Businesses Scraper, Y.E.L.P Reviews Scraper, Bing Maps Scraper
Octoparse
Octoparse is highlighted as a no-coding scraper and an AI web scraping assistant.
- 24/7 cloud solution with scheduled or flexible intervals for automation and data export. It also includes OpenAI Support.
- A configurable workflow that showcases IP rotation, CAPTCHA solving, and proxies. It also includes hover, dropdown, infinite scrolling, and AJAX loading.
- Hundreds of templates for scraping featured template scrapers are Twitter Scraper, Google Maps Scraper, Google Search Scraper, TikTok Scraper, Indeed Scraper, and more. It comes with bundles, and prices may vary for each one.
Apify
Apify has AI actors to scrape up-to-date web data from any website for AI apps and agents. It is also used in lead generation, competitive intelligence, product research, and more.
- Users can browse over 7,000 actors, with the best options including the TikTok Scraper, Google Maps Scraper, Instagram Scraper, Website Content Scraper, Amazon Scraper, and more. It is a pre-built actor intended for users who have no coding experience.
- Showcased API Actors responsible for automation in scraping, data processing, doing tasks, API integrations, and more. These actors are capable of performing specified workflows, enabling them to work in a manner similar to humans.
- For coders, users may build and deploy their own actors. A custom-built tool that uses JavaScript or Python, backed by the Apify library (Puppeteer, Scrapy, Playwright, Selenium Crawlee). An open-source integration for building actors.
WebScraper.io
Web Scraper is a platform that provides a Chrome and Firefox extension that extracts data on a large scale. It also uses sitemaps with a point-and-click interface.
- Extraction of data from multiple websites, which is delivered to cloud storage for immediate usage. Thus, it also integrates with Google Sheets, Dropbox, or Amazon S3, including formats in CSV, XLSX, and JSON.
- Automation using cloud and scheduled data extraction that may scrape on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.
- API integration with Proxies (IP Rotation through thousands of IP addresses) and Parses datasets.
All of them are powerful scraping tools, but they differ in the users’ preferred used and the pricing. One might be too expensive or lacking features, but it solely depends on what the needs and benefits they are looking for.
Free-tiers with Google Maps Scraper (MapDataScraper, WebScraper, etc) is surely an advantage, especially when users have no experience in coding. With their friendly interface, it would be a smooth data extraction process.
Is Using Google Maps Scraper Legal & Safe
A major dilemma concerning web scraping is determining whether it is legal and, if so, whether it is considered a safe practice. There are considerations to be made when determining whether web scraping is legal or not.
- Data extraction is done on websites that are publicly available; domains that don’t require subscriptions, payments, etc. (social media PR websites, business directories, and more).
- Have not compromised data privacy and the terms and conditions of a certain site. It may vary from one site to another.
- Avoidance of data extraction in terms of sensitive, personal insights, or information that would breach data privacy laws and could compromise GDPR and CCPA.
- Ethical scraping is practiced, which translates into a deeper understanding of what is acceptable and what is flagged.
In terms of safety, it solely focuses on data privacy for users and the industries or businesses alike. A feature should be prioritized to avoid scams, identity theft, fraudulent activities, and, at worst, using the extracted data for illegal activities.
There are also recent lawsuits concerning the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA); these are direct quotes pertaining to relevant issues in CFAA.
- A federal jury in Delaware has found that an online travel booking company is liable under CFAA for unauthorized web scraping of a European airline website (July 2024). In this case, it was Ryanair. The jury found out that the travel company used a third-party service provider to extract data from Ryanair’s website that was exclusively accessible using a password-protected account. The intention is to defraud, resulting in $5,000 in damages to Ryanair, which includes service interruptions, data losses, and the efforts for blocking unauthorized scraping.
“This case is significant because it highlights that the CFAA can apply to companies that contract others for unauthorized web scraping of non-public (password-protected) data, affirming limits in web scraping legality under CFAA. The jury verdict reinforces that scraping data behind login credentials can lead to CFAA liability, even if scraping publicly accessible data is generally not covered”.
Best Practices For Using Google Maps Scraper
In using Google Maps Scraper, users are expected to follow certain protocols, not to impose a strict directive, but rather to help users maximize the scrapers without any issues or compromise.
The following are the best practices you can follow to help you improve your scraping.
- Before anything else, users must identify what they want to scrape (businesses, restaurants, clinics, suppliers, etc).
- Choose the best scraping tool you can use (BrightData, MapDataScraper, Octoparse, Apify, WebScraper.io).
- Check the available filters. Users may try the Free-tier, but expect limited access if not subscribed to a premium account.
- Include enrichments that would help to have more substantial datasets.
- Choose downloadable formats such as CSV, Excel, JSON, or Parquet.
- Make sure that you won’t use the data for illegal activities, as industries that are affected may impose sanctions and legal actions if discovered.
Having a powerful tool for scraping comes with responsibility. There were rules to regulate and ethical standards to follow.
Google Maps Data Scraper
Unlock valuable business data with our powerful suite of Google Maps scraping tools. Extract leads, reviews, photos, emails, and contacts without coding — fast, easy, and reliable.
Conclusion
Google Maps Scraper tools showcase both powerful and cost-effective methods for scraping tasks in an enterprise or individual tasks in data extraction. The collected data is used for lead generation, market research, and competitive analysis. This also gives advantages in data automation, saving time and delivering structured and enriched datasets, helping businesses to be competitive.
There are a variety of scrapers available: API-based scrapers, browser extensions, cloud-based platforms, enterprise proxy services, and no-code scrapers, which are solutions that are tailored to both technical and non-technical and business needs.
Popular Google Maps Scraper tools such as Bright Data (formerly Luminati), MapDataScraper, Octoparse, Apify, and WebScraper.io are highly capable scrapers in the market. They provide advanced capabilities, scalability, and professional support. Though they offered free tiers, they only provide basic features suitable for beginners. So take action choose the best Google Maps Scraper tool.
It is also crucial to use these tools responsibly and ethically, respecting legal boundaries and data privacy laws to avoid potential risks. Also, following best practices and selecting reliable scrapers, businesses and individuals can unlock valuable opportunities for growth and strategic decision-making.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
A Google Maps Data Scraper is a tool that automatically extracts business details from Google Maps listings. This includes business names, addresses, phone numbers, websites, categories, ratings, and more — perfect for lead generation, market research, and business directories.
Yes! You can easily download the extracted data in popular formats like CSV or Excel, making it ready for lead generation, CRM upload, or email outreach.
With our Google Maps Data Scraper, you can extract:
Business Name
Address (street, city, postal code)
Phone Number
Website URL
Business Category
Rating and Number of Reviews
Latitude & Longitude
Opening Hours (if available)
No coding skills are required! Our tool is beginner-friendly with a simple, intuitive interface. Just enter your search keywords or location, run the scraper, and download your data in CSV or Excel format.
There’s no strict limit — you can scrape thousands of business listings per run, depending on your chosen subscription plan and Google Maps result availability for your search query.