Google Maps Platform in AI Studio

Google Maps Platform integration in Google AI Studio (AIS) allows developers to rapidly prototype and deploy AI-driven web apps that feature interactive maps, real-world place data, and routing capabilities.

With the Maps Demo Key integration, you can generate functional, location-aware AI prototypes directly within AI Studio without needing to create a Google Cloud billing account or leave your development context. If you already use Google Cloud, you can connect a billed project to access all Google Maps Platform products without daily demo quota limits, or start with a Maps Demo Key and connect a project when you're ready to scale.

Key features

  • Zero-friction onboarding: Get a Maps Demo Key directly in AI Studio without entering a credit card or navigating the Google Cloud console, whether you're new to Google Cloud or already have Cloud projects.
  • Automatic intent detection: AI Studio identifies geospatial prompts (such as searching for nearby places, displaying interactive maps, or calculating routes) and automatically configures Google Maps Platform recommendations and skills.
  • Instant prototyping: Demo credentials are automatically provisioned behind the scenes so your AI-generated code runs immediately.
  • Seamless scaling: When your app is ready to scale, link a Cloud Billing account or connect an existing billed Cloud project to remove any quota limitations.

Ways to get started

AI Studio provisions Google Maps Platform credentials and stores them securely in your app's secrets settings. How you get started depends on whether you're new to Google Cloud:

  • New to Google Cloud: AI Studio creates a free project and a Maps Demo Key for you to get started.
  • Existing Google Cloud users: You can either choose no-cost prototyping with a Maps Demo Key (with a subset of APIs and daily quota limits) or get full access with production-grade quotas by connecting an existing billed Cloud project.

Maps Demo Keys are governed by the Maps Demo Project Terms of Service.

Feature New user Existing user (prototyping for free) Existing user (connecting a billed Cloud project)
Credential type Maps Demo Key Maps Demo Key Standard Google Cloud API key
Billing setup No credit card or Google Cloud billing account required No credit card or Google Cloud billing account required Requires a Google Cloud Billing account
API coverage

All Google Maps Platform APIs (except Route Optimization, Solar, and Nav Connect), including:

Commonly used prototyping APIs (see supported features):

 100% of Google Maps Platform API portfolio (including Route Optimization, Solar, and Nav Connect)
Daily limits 100 calls per day per API 100 calls per day per API Standard quotas and monthly free usage
Key restrictions Automated in-flow secret management Automated in-flow secret management Custom HTTP referrer, IP, or app restrictions
Usage intent Prototyping, testing, and AI Studio web apps Prototyping, testing, and AI Studio web apps Production web and mobile apps
Path to production Link a Cloud Billing account to the project; your key keeps working Connect a billed Cloud project in AI Studio Already production-ready

Troubleshooting and quotas

Demo Keys provided through AI Studio operate under daily request limits designed for interactive development sessions. The daily request limit is 100 calls per day per API.

Quota Exceeded errors

If your app receives a RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED or quota exceeded error while using a Demo Key:

  1. Daily Reset: Demo key quotas automatically reset every 24 hours. You can resume testing after the reset cycle.
  2. Standard Key Quota Overlap: If you are using a standard API key and encounter a quota error message mentioning demo environment limitations, verify your project's quota limits in the Google Cloud Console Quotas page.
  3. Upgrade for Higher Volume: If your prototyping needs exceed daily demo limits, upgrade to a standard Google Cloud account to unlock full production quotas.

API not available errors

If you're an existing Google Cloud user prototyping with a Maps Demo Key and a request fails with an API key restriction error (for example, ApiTargetBlockedMapError in the Maps JavaScript API), the API isn't in the list of supported APIs for that key. Connect a billed Cloud project to use it.

Upgrading to a production key

When your app is ready for production or requires higher quota limits, link a Cloud Billing account in the Google Cloud console to upgrade your project. Your existing demo API key continues to work, so there's no need to update your app code.

If you already have a Cloud billing account, you can also skip the Demo Key: when you enable Google Maps Platform in AI Studio, choose one of your billed Cloud projects to get a standard API key with full API coverage and standard quotas from the start.