# Google Maps tools

> Local businesses as Google Maps lists them: who ranks for a search in an area, filtered lists for prospecting, and full Business Profiles.

Find and size up local businesses from Google Maps data. These tools answer three questions: who Maps shows for a search in an area, which businesses in an area match some filters, and what one business's Google profile says.

To check local rankings, use [`maps_search_places`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_search_places) with a search and a city, or with a point and a zoom level. Rankings change from street to street, so call it once per point to build a rank grid.

To build a prospect list, use [`maps_search_businesses`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_search_businesses) with a point, a radius and Google category ids such as `dentist` or `plumber`. Filter to unclaimed profiles, few reviews or a low rating. A row with no website is a business with no site on its profile.

To audit one business, use [`maps_get_place`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_get_place) with the `place_id` from either search. It returns the opening hours, attributes, services, the topics its reviews mention and the competitors Google lists beside it.


To connect these tools to your agent, see the [Google Maps MCP](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/mcp/google-maps) page.

| Tool | What it does | Cost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [`maps_search_places`](#maps_search_places) | Search Google Maps | From 1 credit |
| [`maps_search_businesses`](#maps_search_businesses) | Search businesses in an area | From 4 credits |
| [`maps_get_place`](#maps_get_place) | Get a business profile | From 2 credits |

## `maps_search_places`: Search Google Maps

The places Google Maps shows for a search in an area, in Maps' order.

**Use when:** "who shows up on Maps for plumber in Austin", "where does our clinic rank on Maps for dentist near me", local competitors for a service in a town, a spot check of local rankings at one point.

**Not for:** a filtered list of every business of a type in an area (unclaimed, few reviews, low rating), use [`maps_search_businesses`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_search_businesses). One business's hours, attributes and review topics, use [`maps_get_place`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_get_place). The organic results and local pack on Google search, use [`seo_get_serp`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/seo#seo_get_serp). Companies by industry or headcount, use [`leads_search_companies`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_search_companies).

**Returns:** List. `rows[]`: rank, `place_id`, cid, name, category, `additional_categories[]`, address, city, postcode, `country_code`, latitude, longitude, phone, website, domain, rating (stars out of 5), reviews, `price_level`, `is_claimed`, status (open, closed, `temporarily_closed`, `closed_forever`), `total_photos`, `maps_url`. website null = the profile lists none.

**Cost:** 1 credit. Cached 24 hours.

| Parameter | Default and notes |
| --- | --- |
| `keyword` | Required |
| `location` | "United States"; give a city, such as "Austin,Texas,United States" |
| `language` | "en" |
| `depth` | 20, max 100 |

**Note:** latitude and longitude (search around that point instead, with zoom: 14 a neighbourhood, 11 a city). Rankings differ by point: for a rank grid. call once per point.

Also takes `provider`, `max_credits`, `dry_run`: see [common parameters](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools#common-parameters).

```json
{
  "keyword": "emergency plumber",
  "location": "Austin,Texas,United States"
}
```

## `maps_search_businesses`: Search businesses in an area

Businesses on Google Maps within a radius of a point, filtered by category, rating, review count or claimed profile. Not ranked.

**Use when:** "dentists within 10 km of Manchester with fewer than 20 reviews", "unclaimed restaurants in Leeds", local prospect lists for an agency, counting a category in a town.

**Not for:** who ranks on Maps for a search, use [`maps_search_places`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_search_places). One business in full, use [`maps_get_place`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_get_place). Companies by industry or headcount (larger firms, not storefronts), use [`leads_search_companies`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_search_companies).

**Returns:** List. `rows[]`: `place_id`, cid, name, category, `additional_categories[]`, address, city, postcode, `country_code`, latitude, longitude, phone, website, domain, rating (stars out of 5), reviews, `price_level`, `is_claimed`, status (open, closed, `temporarily_closed`, `closed_forever`), `total_photos`, `maps_url`, `updated_at`. website null = the profile lists none, a prospect for web work. `rows_available` is the total matching.

**Cost:** 4 credits, plus 12 per 100 rows. Default 100 rows = 16 credits. Cached 7 days.

| Parameter | Default and notes |
| --- | --- |
| `radius_km` | 5, max 1000 |
| `categories[]` | Google category ids in snake case: "dentist", "plumber", "`pizza_restaurant`"; up to 10 |
| `name` | Text in the business name |
| `claimed` | True or false |
| `min_rating` | Optional |
| `max_rating` | Optional |
| `min_reviews` | Optional |
| `max_reviews` | Optional |
| `order_by` | "rating" \| "reviews", highest first |
| `limit` | 100, cap 1000 |

**Note:** latitude and longitude (required; the centre, such as a city centre).

Also takes `cursor`, `provider`, `max_credits`, `dry_run`: see [common parameters](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools#common-parameters).

```json
{
  "latitude": 53.4808,
  "longitude": -2.2426,
  "radius_km": 10,
  "categories": [
    "dentist"
  ],
  "max_reviews": 20
}
```

## `maps_get_place`: Get a business profile

One business's full Google Business Profile: hours, attributes, services, rating breakdown, the topics its reviews mention and the competitors Google lists beside it.

**Use when:** "audit this business's Google profile", "what do reviews of this clinic talk about", "who does Google think competes with this restaurant", checking a prospect before outreach.

**Not for:** finding businesses, use [`maps_search_places`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_search_places) (by search) or [`maps_search_businesses`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/maps#maps_search_businesses) (by area and filters). The review text itself is not returned. A company's firmographics, use [`leads_get_company`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_get_company).

**Returns:** Record. `place_id`, cid, name, category, `additional_categories[]`, address, city, postcode, `country_code`, latitude, longitude, phone, website, domain, rating, reviews, `price_level`, `is_claimed`, status, `total_photos`, `maps_url`, description, `rating_counts[]` (1 star first), `hours[]` (day, open, close as HH:MM; a day with no row is closed), `attributes[]`, `missing_attributes[]`, `topics[]` (topic, mentions), `services[]` (name, category, price), `people_also_search[]` (cid, name, rating, reviews), `book_online_url`. NoData when Google has no profile for the lookup.

**Cost:** 2 credits. Cached 7 days.

| Parameter | Default and notes |
| --- | --- |
| `cid` or `name` | The name with its town, such as "Rudy's Pizza Manchester" |
| `location` | "United States"; where a name is looked up |
| `language` | "en" |

**Note:** exactly one of `place_id`.

Also takes `provider`, `max_credits`, `dry_run`: see [common parameters](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools#common-parameters).

```json
{
  "place_id": "ChIJP0warDDowokRfvXMkBqL5Cg"
}
```