Menu
I'm having some issue with static Google maps generation. The API has "a query limit of 1000 unique (different) image requests per viewer per day. Since this restriction is a quota per viewer, most developers should not need to worry about exceeding their quota".
However when using a shared connection, as instance with a mobile phone and a 3G access (phone operators), this limit seems to be problematic.
Hence my question is the following: can I retrieve the image server-side and serve it to my clients? Is it allowed?
737
Once you have the area you'd like to cache in view, type “okay maps” into the search box. Google will take a moment to “pre-load” the area and then save the copy to your device's offline cache. Once it's cached you can use the map at any time, even in Airplane mode.
The Maps Static API uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model. Requests for the Maps Static API are billed under the SKU for Static Maps. Along with the overall Google Terms of Use, there are usage limits specific to the Maps Static API.
What is a Static Web API? The Google Maps Platform static web APIs let you embed a Google Maps image on your web page without requiring JavaScript or any dynamic page loading. The APIs create an image based on URL parameters sent through a standard HTTP request and allow you to display the result on your web page.
Customer can temporarily cache latitude (lat) and longitude (lng) values from the Places API for up to 30 consecutive calendar days, after which Customer must delete the cached latitude and longitude values. Customer can cache Places API Place ID (place_id) values, in accordance with the Places API Policies.
This FAQ indicates not: Can I generate a map image using the Google Static Maps API which I store and serve from my website?
Text (as of November 2016):
Can I generate a map image using the Google Static Maps API which I store and serve from my website?
You may not store and serve copies of images generated using the Google Static Maps API from your website. All web pages that require static images must link the src attribute of an HTML img tag or the CSS background-image attribute of an HTML div tag directly to the Google Static Maps API so that all map images are displayed within the HTML content of the web page and served directly to end users by Google.
153
Actually, you can. Reference the Google Maps TOS:
3.2.4 Restrictions Against Misusing the Services.
(a) No Scraping. Customer will not extract, export, or scrape Google Maps Content for use outside the Services. For example, Customer will not:(i) pre-fetch, cache, index, or store Google Maps Content for more than 30 days; (ii) bulk download geocodes; or (iii) copy business names, addresses, or user reviews.
(Edit: Updated to reflect the latest terms as of June 2018.)
This is discussed in further detail in the "Sanity Checks" aspect of Google Static Maps Usage Limits.
30
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
