How to Use the Google Maps Search Export

Before you start

• About reviews on Google Maps:
  • The Google Maps Search Export only collects review metadata, such as: Average rating and Total number of reviews.
  • It doesn't extract individual reviews or reviewer details.
• Awareness of platform limits:
  • Each search only returns up to 120–200 results.
  • To go beyond this, split your searches into smaller areas (e.g. Restaurant Camden, Restaurant Waterloo) and run the Phantom separately.

Step 1: Provide your Google Maps searches

You can input your searches in one of the following formats:

1. A keyword:
   Type one or multiple keywords, like Restaurant Paris. This option is not recommended.
2. A URL:
   • The URL must start with: https://www.google.com/maps/search/...
     
     • Using a regular Google Search URL will cause errors (“Invalid input”) or no results.
   • Paste a single Google Maps search URL.
   • Provide a Google Sheet with Google Maps search URLs or keywords (make sure it’s shared with “Anyone with the link”).
     → If you’re using a spreadsheet, the Phantom defaults to the first column (A). To use a different column, enter the column’s header name in the field “Name of column containing searches.”
   • Upload a CSV file with Google Maps search URLs or keywords (CSV upload is only available on paid plans).

Step 2: Configure extraction language, results, location, and output

1. Browser's language (optional):
   • Enter a two-letter ISO code (e.g. en for English, fr for French).
   • Default = en (English).
2. Result volume (optional):

• Number of spreadsheet rows to process per launch:
  • Only applies if your input is a Google Sheet or CSV.
  • By default, the Phantom will process all rows in a single launch.
  • To stay safe, enter a smaller number (e.g. 5–10) so your searches are spread out across multiple runs.
• Number of results to scrape per search:
  • Default = 120
  • Google Maps caps searches at ~120 results (sometimes up to 200 depending on query).
  • To go beyond this, alter your query into smaller areas and use multiple search URLs (link to spreadsheet input guide).
• Extract GPS coordinates for each location:
  • Tick this box if you want the Phantom to include latitude and longitude for each place in your results.
  • This is useful if you plan to map your leads, cluster them by area, or import the data into tools that require precise geolocation.

Result file settings (dropdown in setup)

1. Name your results file (optional)

   • You can customize the file name.

     If you rename the file between launches, the Phantom will create a new results file and start processing inputs from scratch.

2. Fields to keep (optional)
   • Export only the fields you care about by listing them (comma-separated).
     Example: profileUrl, job, location.
   • This generates a second CSV file with just those fields.
   • Learn more in our guide: Customize how your Phantom results files are saved.

Step 3: Select launch frequency

Choose how often the Phantom should run:

1. Launch manually: Start the Phantom yourself whenever you need.
2. Launch once at a specific time: schedule a one-time run at a set date and time.
3. Launch repeatedly: schedule regular runs (e.g. once per day, several times during working hours).
4. Launch after another Phantom: chain automations together so this Phantom starts right after another finishes.
5. Advanced scheduling: customize the exact minutes, hours, days, or months when the Phantom should run.

→ For a complete walkthrough of scheduling options, see our guide to scheduling Phantoms automatically.

Step 4 (Optional): Advanced settings

Advanced settings are available if you want to fine-tune how your Phantom runs, but by default they’re already optimized for most use cases.

We recommend leaving them as they are unless a guide specifically instructs you to change something.

→ For a detailed overview of all advanced options (like execution limits, retries, email notifications, proxies, webhooks, and file management), see our Advanced settings guide.

Proxies: highly recommended for Google Maps

Google Maps results vary depending on your location. PhantomBuster’s servers run from multiple regions, so without a proxy your results may shift between launches or show businesses from the wrong country.

You can configure proxies in the Phantom's Advanced settings, under the Proxies tab. 
From there, decide which proxy to use:

1. PhantomBuster proxy:
   • Select Maintain the same fixed IP for stability (as long as the proxy remains available).
   • Choose the proxy location closest to you (6 regions available).
2. External proxy:
   • If you need a location not covered by PhantomBuster, connect your own proxy in the same menu.
   • Configuration steps will differ depending on your provider.

You can also try running without a proxy at first, using both keyword + location in your query (e.g. Restaurant Paris). If your results aren’t consistent, add a proxy to lock the location.

→ Follow our full guide: Use a Proxy to Fix Login Issues or Get Location-based Results

Launch and results

When you’re ready:

1. Click Launch to start your Phantom.
2. Once it finishes, open the Results tab in the Phantom console to see the data collected.
3. Download your results as a CSV or JSON file.

→ To learn how to export your data to Google Sheets, integrate with other tools, or reuse it in more automations, check our Access and Export your Phantom Results guide.

Export and input limits on the Free plan
If you’re on the Free plan or Free trial, some features are limited:
- CSV exports include only the first 10 rows of results.
- CSV download links (for dynamic viewing in Google Sheets or integrations) are not available.
- JSON exports are not available.
- CSV upload as an input method is not supported.
To unlock all features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

What you give (Input) and What you get (Output)

This section gives you a detailed breakdown of everything you need to provide to run this Phantom, and everything you’ll receive once it completes.

What you give (Input)

What you get (Output)

Tips and troubleshooting

Common pitfalls

• Using an invalid URL → The input must be a valid Google Maps search URL starting with:
  https://www.google.com/maps/search/...
  Example: 
  https://www.google.com/maps/search/restaurants+in+london/@51.5141395,-0.1475018,14z/data=!3m1!4b1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
• Using a private spreadsheet (make sure it’s set to “Anyone with the link”).
• Expecting duplicates → The Phantom automatically skips duplicate results across searches.
• Expecting contact details → This Phantom only exports business details from Google Maps. It does not provide social links or LinkedIn URLs. For that, use the Google Maps Search to Contact Data Phantom.
• Expecting to extract reviews → This Phantom only exports the number of reviews, not individual review content.
• Expecting unlimited results → Google Maps caps searches at ~120–200 results. Use multiple smaller queries for full coverage.
• Changing locations → Results vary by server location. Use a proxy near your target region for consistency.

If you run into errors or account issues

• Check how to troubleshoot your phantom using Logs.
• Browse the Fix Issues & Troubleshoot Errors section for solutions to common problems.
• Review our Automation Rate Limits by Platform guide.
• Check our Best Practices for Social Media Automation guide.

Suggested automations

• AI Advanced Enricher → Analyze and segment the businesses you’ve extracted (e.g. by category, keywords, or other attributes).
• Professional Email Finder → Turn company or domain data into verified professional email leads for outreach.