Storing Google Places API data - is it allowed?

Question

I'm creating a website that is essentially a directory of US businesses that fall within a niche category. In order to populate the database, I'm using the Google Places API to gather a list of business names and addresses that meet my criteria.

Am I allowed to store this data indefinitely? I couldn't find any documentation that explicitly prohibited storing Places API data, but I know that other APIs have limitations on how long you can keep the data.

Answer 1

This is not allowed according to the terms of use. Applications that use the Google Places API must adhere to the Google Maps/Google Earth API Terms of Service as stated here:

All applications that use the Google Places or Google Places Autocomplete APIs must adhere to the requirements described in the Developer Policies and the Google Maps/Google Earth API Terms of Service. The Google Places API and the Google Places Autocomplete API share a usage quota as described in the Usage Limits documentation.

The Google Maps/Google Earth APIs Terms of Service section 10.1.3 (b) do not allow storing of content for purposes other than temporary caching:

You must not pre-fetch, cache, or store any Content, except that you may store: (i) limited amounts of Content for the purpose of improving the performance of your Maps API Implementation if you do so temporarily (and in no event for more than 30 calendar days), securely, and in a manner that does not permit use of the Content outside of the Service; and (ii) any content identifier or key that the Maps APIs Documentation specifically permits you to store. For example, you must not use the Content to create an independent database of "places" or other local listings information.

So no, you are not allowed to store this data indefinitely.