> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.brightdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Google scraper quickstart
> Set up the Bright Data Google Scraper API and collect your first Google Maps place as structured JSON in under 5 minutes with cURL, Python or Node.js.
This tutorial shows you how to scrape a Google Maps place and get structured JSON data using the Bright Data Google Scraper API.
## Prerequisites
* A [Bright Data account](https://brightdata.com/products/web-scraper/google?hs_signup=1\&utm_source=docs)
* cURL, Python 3 or Node.js 18+ installed
Go to the [user settings page](https://brightdata.com/cp/setting/users) in your Bright Data account and create an API key, or use one you already have.
If you don't have an account yet, [sign up at brightdata.com](https://brightdata.com/products/web-scraper/google?hs_signup=1\&utm_source=docs). New accounts get 5,000 free credits every month, no credit card required. See the [free tier](/general/account/billing-and-pricing/free-tier).
Your API key is shown only once when created. Copy and store it securely.
We'll use the **Google Maps, Collect by URL** endpoint with a synchronous request. Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your API key:
```bash cURL theme={null}
curl -X POST \
"https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3/scrape?dataset_id=gd_m8ebnr0q2qlklc02fz&format=json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '[{"url": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJS5WVcqWh9YgRHU08rJqLNsQ"}]'
```
```python Python theme={null}
import requests
response = requests.post(
"https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3/scrape",
params={"dataset_id": "gd_m8ebnr0q2qlklc02fz", "format": "json"},
headers={
"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY",
"Content-Type": "application/json",
},
json=[{"url": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJS5WVcqWh9YgRHU08rJqLNsQ"}],
)
data = response.json()
if response.status_code == 202:
print(f"Job running. Snapshot ID: {data['snapshot_id']}")
else:
print(data)
```
```javascript Node.js theme={null}
const response = await fetch(
"https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3/scrape?dataset_id=gd_m8ebnr0q2qlklc02fz&format=json",
{
method: "POST",
headers: {
"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY",
"Content-Type": "application/json",
},
body: JSON.stringify([
{ url: "https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJS5WVcqWh9YgRHU08rJqLNsQ" }
]),
}
);
const data = await response.json();
if (response.status === 202) {
console.log(`Job running. Snapshot ID: ${data.snapshot_id}`);
} else {
console.log(data);
}
```
You should see a `200` status code and a JSON array. A `202` means the scrape needs longer than 1 minute; see the note below. Processing time varies with target-site conditions and scraper workload.
A synchronous request waits up to 1 minute. If the Bright Data Google Scraper API needs longer, the response is HTTP `202` with a `snapshot_id` instead of result data, and collection continues asynchronously. Fetch the result with the [async workflow](/products/scrapers/scrapers-library/async-requests) or have it pushed to you with [webhook delivery](/products/scrapers/scrapers-library/data-delivery).
The Bright Data Google Scraper API returns a JSON array with structured place data:
```json theme={null}
[
{
"place_id": "ChIJS5WVcqWh9YgRHU08rJqLNsQ",
"name": "The***s",
"address": "5155 Peachtree Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, United States",
"category": "Shopping mall",
"rating": 4.6,
"reviews_count": 5066,
"open_hours": {
"Sunday": "12–6 PM",
"Saturday": "10 AM–9 PM",
"Friday": "10 AM–9 PM",
"Thursday": "10 AM–9 PM",
"Wednesday": "10 AM–9 PM",
"Tuesday": "10 AM–9 PM",
"Monday": "10 AM–9 PM"
},
"url": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Forum+Peachtree+Corners/@33.9808771,-84.2175823,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88f5a1a57295954b:0xc4368b9aac3c4d1d!8m2!3...",
"country": "United States",
"description": "Outdoor mall with a European feel & a collection of upscale chains & boutiques, plus restaurants."
}
]
```
Each place object includes location details, ratings, hours, photos and contact info. See the [full response schema](/api-reference/scrapers/search-engines-apis/google-maps-collect-by-url).
You've successfully scraped your first Google Maps place using the Bright Data Google Scraper API.
## Common questions
### Can I scrape multiple places in one request?
Yes. Add more objects to the input array. Bright Data recommends 20 inputs or fewer per synchronous request, a best practice rather than a hard limit. For larger batches or for discovery by keyword, CID or location, use the [async `/trigger` endpoint](/products/scrapers/scrapers-library/async-requests).
```json theme={null}
[
{"url": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJS5WVcqWh9YgRHU08rJqLNsQ"},
{"url": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Park"},
{"url": "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Times+Square"}
]
```
### Can I scrape Google Shopping or SERP instead?
Yes. Swap the `dataset_id` for the product you need. For example, Google Shopping Collect by URL uses `gd_ltppk50q18kdw67omz`, and Google SERP 100 uses `gd_mfz5x93lmsjjjylob`. See [Send your first request](/products/scrapers/google/send-first-request) for working examples of every endpoint.
### Getting a 401 or 403 error?
Verify your API key is correct and hasn't expired. Create a new API key in [Account settings](https://brightdata.com/cp/setting/users). See the [authentication guide](/api-reference/authentication) for details.
### Request is timing out?
Synchronous requests have a 1-minute timeout. If the request exceeds this limit, the API returns HTTP `202` with a `snapshot_id` and finishes the job asynchronously. Use the [async workflow](/products/scrapers/scrapers-library/async-requests) for large batches.
### Empty or partial response data?
Verify the Google URL is publicly accessible and correctly formatted. For Google Maps, the URL should follow the pattern `https://www.google.com/maps/place/...`. For Shopping and SERP, verify the URL works in an incognito browser window.
## Do I have to call the API directly?
No. The Bright Data SDKs, the CLI and coding-agent tools call the same Scraper API, so you can start from whichever fits your stack.
| Client | Install | First call |
| :- | :- | :- |
| **Python and Node.js SDK** | `pip install brightdata-sdk` or `npm install @brightdata/sdk` | Call `client.scrape..(url="...")`; the method list is in the [Python SDK](/api-reference/SDK) and [JavaScript SDK](/api-reference/SDK-JS) |
| **CLI** | `npm install -g @brightdata/cli`, then `bdata login` | `bdata pipelines list` prints every pipeline name, then run `bdata pipelines "" --pretty`; see the [CLI commands](/products/cli/commands) |
| **Coding agents** | `npx skills add brightdata/skills` installs the skills; the [Bright Data MCP](/products/mcp-server/overview) server exposes the scrapers as tools | See the [coding agent quickstart](/quickstart-coding-agent) |
## Next steps
One request per endpoint, each with a captured response.
Scrape thousands of places or run discovery in a single batch job.
Endpoint specs, parameters and response schemas.