Google Maps API Security Alert: Why You Must Restrict Your API Key (Before It Costs You)

As a brand/business owner who uses Google Maps on your website or application, you have just clocked out for the week and are preparing to chill over the weekend with beer and fries.

You hit the couch on Friday night with a perfectly functioning website, Google Maps embedded, users navigating to your store locations, everything running smoothly as butter. 

But guess what? 

On Monday morning, you wake up to a not-so-fun surprise: a whopping invoice from Google Cloud for thousands of API calls you never made. (Uh oh!)

Worse? Your Maps API stops working, and your customers can’t find you.

Sounds like a nightmare, right?

Source

Well, that’s the reality hundreds of developers and business owners face every day, all because of one often-overlooked mistake: using an unrestricted Google Maps API key.

In this blog, we are not just here to issue warnings; we are here to guide you, human to human, developer to developer, marketer to marketer, on why this matters, how real the risk is, and how you can secure your key today without breaking anything.

Let’s ensure your next Google Maps invoice doesn’t cause you stress.

But first, what even is a Google Maps API key?

Let’s clear the basics for the uninitiated.

When you want to embed a Google Map into your website, app, or system, be it a simple store locator or something more advanced like dynamic routes, address autocomplete, or geolocation, you use one or more of Google’s Maps Platform APIs.

To use these APIs, you need an API key. Think of it like your unique “access pass” to use Google’s powerful location tools.

The key tracks the following:

• Who’s calling the API (you)
  
• How many times it’s being called
  
• Which services you’re using
  

It’s convenient and powerful. But yes, there is a catch…

If it’s not locked down, anyone who finds your key (e.g., in your front-end code, GitHub repository, or browser console) can abuse it, and the charges will be billed to your account.

Why an unrestricted API key is a hacker’s playground

Unrestricted keys are like unlocked houses. Sure, you may live in a “nice neighborhood” on the internet, but bots and bad actors are always on the lookout.

Here’s what can go wrong:

1. Massive unauthorized usage

A bad actor could embed your key into their own high-traffic website or app and rack up hundreds of thousands of requests per day. You pay for each one.

2. Quota exhaustion

Even if they don’t have any malicious intent, any third-party use can utilize your daily quota, making your Maps features go offline for your actual customers.

3. Service disruption

Google may temporarily or permanently suspend the key if misuse is detected. That means your location services stop working cold.

4. Data leakage or exploits

In rare cases, if the API is used to extract sensitive geolocation data, it could create legal or compliance issues for your business.

Now you see why Google sent out security alerts about unrestricted Maps API keys. This isn’t just a “best practice,” it’s a must-do.

True story behind what made us pen this blog!

Recently, at Mavlers, we received a security notification from Google regarding our Google Maps API keys being unrestricted.

Google flagged it early (check the following image).

We jumped in, added restrictions, and prevented what could’ve become a costly disaster.

It made us realize that if it happened to us, it could happen to anyone.

So… how do you restrict your Google Maps API key?

The good news is that securing your keys takes less than ten minutes (yes, just as easy as placing an Uber Eats order)!

Let’s walk you through it step by step. 

Step 1: Go to the Google Cloud Console

You may visit the console here ~ https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials

Log in with the Google account connected to your Maps project.

Ensure you’re working in the correct project; the project name will be displayed in the top left corner.

Step 2: Locate your API key

Click on “Credentials” in the left sidebar. Under API keys, find the one that’s actively used on your website or app. Click its name, and you’re now on the edit screen.

Step 3: Add API Restrictions

Scroll down a bit and you’ll see API restrictions. This is super important.

Enable “Restrict key” and select only the APIs your project actually uses, such as:

• Maps JavaScript API
• Geocoding API
• Places API

We recommend not enabling more APIs than necessary, as it minimizes your exposure.

Step 4: Don’t forget to save your changes!

Once you have made the changes, remember to hit Save to apply the restrictions.

That’s it. Your API key is now locked down to a specific domain or server and can only call specific Maps APIs.

Voila amigos! You just secured your project (and your wallet). 😉

Some FAQs that developers ask (Because we did too!)

It’s always good to seek clarity and dispel the fog of uncertainty. Here you will find answers to queries that might have been on your mind! 

What if I don’t know all the APIs my app is using?

Start with the ones you’re certain of, such as the Maps JavaScript API, and monitor usage in the Google Cloud dashboard. You can always add others later.

Can I rotate or regenerate a compromised key?

Yes. Simply delete the old key and create a new one. Then replace the old key in your codebase. And don’t forget to restrict the new one.

Can I monitor usage to catch misuse early?

Absolutely. Under your Cloud Console, go to APIs & Services and then click on the Dashboard.

Here you’ll see usage graphs, spike patterns, and you can even set budgets and alerts.

The road ahead

In case you’d like to step up your business’s local SEO game for greater visibility on Google Maps, we recommend reading ‘7 Must-Do Local SEO Steps to Rank Higher on Google Maps.’