Google Maps Scraping: Complete 2025 Guide to Extract Business Data & Generate Leads

Table of Contents

• What is Google Maps Scraping?
• What Data Can You Extract from Google Maps?
• Why Google Maps is Perfect for Lead Generation
• Top 5 Google Maps Scraping Methods Compared
• The Ultimate Google Maps Scraper: Scrap.io
• Step-by-Step Guide: Extract Business Data to Excel/CSV
• Legal Considerations: Is Google Maps Scraping Legal?
• What Your Exported Data Looks Like
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Google Maps Scraping?

Google Maps data scraping is paramount for lead generation, however from a creative point of view it's pointless. It's definitely a boring task. Once data has been gathered, we can use it for different purposes:

• Generate quality business leads
• Conduct market research
• Spy on competitors
• Monitor local businesses
• Build prospect databases

And this is what we can do through Google Maps data extraction.

Web scraping is a powerful and useful technique. It doesn't imply that we can scrape every kind of data, and above all, it doesn't imply that we can scrape data without paying attention to possible restrictions.

What Data Can You Extract from Google Maps?

If we take Google Maps as an example, we can only retrieve public information. It means data which can be found both on the listing page and on the detailed page. In other words, we can extract data from Google Maps including everything from the company's name to its service options, phone numbers, addresses, ratings, and so on.

Basic business data you can extract includes:

• Company names and business types
• Phone numbers and addresses
• Ratings and reviews
• Operating hours
• Service options and features
• Photos and location coordinates

And that's not all of them. We can get a more comprehensive set of data. Indeed, we can collect data which are related to companies but which are not directly shown on the Google Maps platform. It can be done if and only if the company has got a website. In that case, we will take a look at the URL and identify:

• Email addresses (if available on the website)
• Social media links (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
• SEO related data (meta titles, descriptions, keywords)
• Contact forms and additional contact methods
• Website technologies being used

However, it still raises one question: why is Google Maps perfect for lead generation?

For a complete guide on extracting email addresses specifically, check out our detailed article: How to Find Email Addresses from Google Maps: The Ultimate Guide.

Why Google Maps is Perfect for Lead Generation

Google Maps is perfect for lead generation and business data scraping for three key reasons.

To begin with, it's a comprehensive database. We have already talked about previously - Google Maps allows us to get tens of different fields, tens of different columns. But Google Maps is also comprehensive regarding the categories included.

Key statistics:

• You can mainly find small and medium-sized businesses on Google Maps
• Nearly 4,000 different categories on the platform
• 200 million companies worldwide represented
• Available in 195 countries globally

Secondly, Google Maps is available everywhere in the world. It represents 200 million companies, meaning no matter where you are located, you can probably find businesses. You can probably find leads near your current location.

The process for lead generation is simple:

• Type a category (e.g., "restaurants", "dentists")
• Add a location (city, state, country)
• Get access to your leads ready to be scraped

Finally, the last reason why Google Maps scraping is awesome is because Google Maps is a public platform. It's not a social media - you don't have to be logged in to have access to data.

Compare this to social media scraping:

• Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Require account login
• Risk of account suspension if you scrape too much
• Endless loop of creating new accounts
• Detection systems that block scraping attempts

This is why scraping Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, although possible, remains something hard to do. You don't have access to merged data if you don't create an account. But if you scrape too much data, you will get a warning and your account might be shut down. So you have to create another account, and so on. It's an endless loop. It's a battle you cannot win. This is a risk you won't encounter when using a Google Maps scraper.

Top 5 Google Maps Scraping Methods Compared

Anyway, here is a list of what you can do to scrape data from Google Maps:

Obviously, there are way more than five ways to scrape Google Maps. But there is one solution that addresses all the drawbacks of the other methods we'll describe.

This solution allows you to:

• Scrape Google Maps without writing a single line of code
• Know the number of leads beforehand within a few clicks
• Include all the data from Google Maps + website data
• Scrape all 4,000 categories at the scale of an entire country
• Do this without jeopardizing your IP address

This is a promise of Scrap.io. With Scrap.io, we promise you can turn Google Maps into a leads machine by simply specifying an activity and the location.

Scrap.io stands out from other Google Maps scrapers because:

• Real-time data extraction from over 200 million businesses across 195 countries
• No outdated databases - extracts data directly from Google Maps and associated websites
• Always current information - ensures you get the most up-to-date data available
• Advanced filtering options to target exactly the leads you need
• Comprehensive data fields including emails, social media, and website technologies

We can use Python or other programming languages to scrape Google Maps data. It has some advantages. Unlike an API, we have perfect control of what we are doing because we have a clear view of what our code looks like.

Advantages of Python Google Maps scraping:

• Full control over the scraping process
• Customizable to specific needs
• Cost-effective for large projects
• Flexible data processing capabilities

Among the drawbacks:

• Obviously something difficult to do, mainly done by developers
• There is always a mistake we have to fix
• Lots of different web scraping libraries, each with their own advantages and disadvantages
• You don't always know which library to pick

Important considerations for Python Google Maps scraping:

• Google frequently changes their HTML structure
• Rate limiting is essential to avoid getting blocked
• Proxies may be needed for large-scale scraping
• Legal compliance with terms of service is crucial
• Complex JavaScript rendering often requires Selenium or similar tools

This is why many businesses prefer ready-made solutions that handle these complexities automatically.

There are a lot of Chrome extensions available for Google Maps scraping. Some of them are really easy to use. I know I say that every time, but it's easy - like two clicks and you've got a result.

The reality of Chrome extensions:

• The easier it is, the less efficient it is
• When you use a Chrome extension, you use your own IP address
• If you have a problem with the website you want to scrape, your browser gets blocked as well
• Limited data extraction capabilities
• Not suitable for large-scale lead generation

Unfortunately, sadly, the easier it is, the less efficient it is. Moreover, when you use a Google Chrome extension, you use your own IP address. It means that if we have a problem with the website we want to scrape, if we are blocked, our browser is blocked as well.

For a detailed comparison of the best Chrome extensions for Google Maps scraping, check out: Google Maps Scraper: Complete Guide to the 3 Best Chrome Extensions.

Unlike Python, Phantom Buster is an automation and web scraping solution very easy to implement. Indeed, it's a no-code software allowing you to automate tasks we usually do on a daily basis from multiple platforms.

How Phantom Buster works:

1. Input: Start with a Google Maps URL
2. Phantom: Set up a pre-made script for automation
3. Output: End up with a CSV file containing your leads

From my own experience, Phantom Buster is an easy all-in-one solution. However, if you don't know where to start, if you have no experience in automation, you might be a bit lost.

Major drawback with Phantom Buster:

• When you pay for premium plans, you pay depending on execution time
• You don't pay depending on the results
• If you make it wrong, there is no going back
• Hard to know beforehand what the cost per lead will be

💡 For a detailed comparison of Phantom Buster with other Google Maps scraping solutions, including pricing and feature analysis, check out our comprehensive guide: Scrap.io: The Best PhantomBuster Alternative for Google Maps Scraping.

Octoparse is a web scraping tool created for a broad audience. Nevertheless, from a technical point of view, Octoparse is more difficult than Phantom Buster.

If you want to scrape Google Maps through Octoparse, you've got two options:

Option 1: Create your own workflow

• You have to give the right directions
• Octoparse does things automatically
• Requires knowledge of:
  • How to write regex
  • How to write an XPath
  • What a loop is

Option 2: Use a pre-made template

• Obviously way easier to implement
• Limited customization options
• Pre-built for common use cases

No matter which option you choose:

• You cannot scrape additional valuable information like:
  • Email addresses
  • Social media links
  • Website-specific data

🔍 Want to see how Octoparse compares to more comprehensive solutions? Read our detailed analysis: Octoparse vs Scrap.io: The Ultimate Google Maps Scraper Comparison.

The Ultimate Google Maps Scraper: Scrap.io

Obviously, there are way more than five ways to scrape Google Maps. There is one last solution we may pay attention to because it addresses all the drawbacks of the five means we have described a minute ago.

This is a promise of Scrap.io. With Scrap.io, we promise you can turn Google Maps into a leads machine by simply specifying an activity and the location.

You have access to a quick demo below, but I think it will be a more suitable example to directly show you what your future Excel file should look like.

Step-by-Step Guide: Extract Business Data to Excel/CSV

If you want to use Scrap.io, you can simply type "scrap.io" in your search bar or you can click the link in the description. We first need to create our account. Once it is done, you have access to your dashboard.

I invite you to click on the search tab - it's the most important tab of the software because it is a tab in which you will be able to retrieve your leads based on two pieces of information.

The first one is the activity, meaning you can pick up an activity among the 4,000 different categories listed on Google Maps. Let's say you want to choose a bakery, for example. You can choose another country, and if I click on search, I will be able to select all bakeries from this country.

Geographic targeting options:

• Cities: Target specific urban areas
• Level 2 Division: Counties in the US, departments in France
• Level 1 Division: States in the US, regions in France
• Entire countries: Scale your search nationally

The good thing about Scrap.io is that you can filter your data out even more beforehand. If you click on filter, you can see that you've got two different kinds of filters: essential and advanced ones.

Essential filters include:

• Target main activity only (not secondary activities)
• Exclude closed companies
• Require website presence
• Require phone numbers
• Require email addresses
• Require social media links
• Check if business has claimed their Google Maps listing

Advanced filters for precision targeting:

• Price range ($/$/$$/$$ - because a McDonald's isn't the same as a luxury restaurant)
• Rating requirements (minimum star ratings)
• Number of reviews (engagement metrics)
• Number of photos (visual presence indicators)
• Website features:
  • Contact form presence
  • Ad pixels detection
  • Specific technologies used

I've got 97 results, which is great because thanks to the free plan of Scrap.io, you can get up to 100 leads free of charge. I can click on export. If I click on advanced options, I will have an overview of all the columns I will retrieve.

Export options:

• Choose specific number of rows (first 30, 50, 100, etc.)
• Name your export for easy organization
• CSV or Excel format available
• Advanced column selection for custom data sets

Legal Considerations: Is Google Maps Scraping Legal?

One question that comes up frequently is: "Is it legal to scrape Google Maps data?"

The short answer is yes, but with some important considerations. Google Maps scraping for publicly available business information is generally legal when done responsibly.

Key legal points:

• Public data only - You can only scrape information that's publicly visible
• Respect robots.txt and terms of service where possible
• Commercial use of public business data is typically allowed
• Don't overload servers - use reasonable request rates
• GDPR compliance - ensure you handle data according to privacy laws

What's considered legal to scrape:

• Business names and addresses
• Phone numbers and websites
• Public ratings and reviews
• Operating hours and service information
• Location coordinates

Best practices for legal Google Maps scraping:

• Use professional tools like Scrap.io that respect rate limits
• Focus on business data, not personal information
• Don't scrape private or restricted information
• Comply with local data protection laws

For a more detailed analysis of the legal aspects, check out our comprehensive guide: Is it allowed to scrape Google Maps?

Remember, when you use Scrap.io, we handle all the technical and legal compliance aspects for you, so you can focus on your business goals without worrying about these complexities.

What Your Exported Data Looks Like

What do we have here? We've got 97 leads, which is correct. We start with basic columns:

Basic Google Maps data:

• Company name and business type
• Closure status (whether it's closed or not)
• Main type and all types as we have mentioned earlier
• Website URL (shows our filters worked well)
• Phone number for direct contact
• Full address divided into different subtypes
• Google Maps page link for verification

Contact and engagement data:

• Email address (extracted from company websites)
• Social media links (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Price range indicators ($/$/$$/$$)
• Review metrics (review count, average rating, review score breakdown)
• Number of pictures uploaded
• Business claiming status on Google Maps
• Working hours and schedules

Advanced website data (color-coded in orange):

• Website title and meta information
• Meta keywords and descriptions
• Additional email addresses (up to 5 per business)
• Complete social media profile links
• Website technology analysis
• Website ad pixels detection

For example, we know that this company uses Facebook ads, and that one LinkedIn ads. This level of detail allows you to understand not just who your prospects are, but how sophisticated their digital marketing is, giving you valuable insight for your outreach strategy.

Conclusion

This is the end of the video. I hope you have enjoyed it. If you want to know a bit more about the different means to scrape Google Maps, you can find all the links in the description. Same thing with Scrap.io if you are interested in taking a look.

Key takeaways from this Google Maps scraping guide:

• Google Maps scraping automates tedious lead generation tasks
• Google Maps contains 200 million businesses across 4,000 categories
• 5 main methods exist, each with pros and cons
• Scrap.io offers the most comprehensive solution for non-technical users
• Real-time data extraction ensures accurate, current information
• Advanced filtering helps you target exactly the right prospects

Finally, you can give a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel. See you next time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is absolutely possible to scrape Google Maps data. As demonstrated in this guide, there are multiple methods available, from using APIs and programming languages like Python to no-code solutions like Scrap.io. The key is to focus on publicly available data and use the right tools for your specific needs.

Scraping publicly available data from Google Maps is generally legal, as this information is accessible to anyone visiting the platform. However, it's important to respect Google's Terms of Service and focus on public business information rather than personal data. Tools like Scrap.io ensure compliance by only extracting publicly available business data.

The best Google Maps scraper depends on your specific needs. For large-scale operations, Scrap.io offers exceptional speed and can extract data from entire countries in just a few clicks. For smaller projects, Chrome extensions provide quick results, while APIs offer reliable performance for developers.

Many Google Maps scrapers offer free tiers or trials. Scrap.io provides 100 free leads with their trial, Chrome extensions are often free but limited, and you can build custom scrapers using free programming tools. However, for comprehensive lead generation at scale, paid solutions typically offer better features and support.

You can extract a wide range of business data from Google Maps, including business names, addresses, phone numbers, websites, ratings, reviews, opening hours, and photos. Advanced tools like Scrap.io can also extract additional data from business websites, such as email addresses, social media links, and SEO-related information.

While Google's Terms of Service discourage excessive scraping, extracting publicly available business data for legitimate purposes is widely practiced. The key is to use responsible Google Maps scraping practices, respect rate limits, and focus on public information. Many businesses successfully use Google Maps scraping for lead generation and market research.

For beginners, no-code solutions like Scrap.io offer the best starting point. These tools provide intuitive interfaces, built-in filtering options, and don't require any programming knowledge. You can start generating leads immediately without the technical complexity of APIs or custom coding solutions.

The number of businesses you can scrape depends on your chosen method and location. Google Maps contains over 200 million businesses globally across 4,000+ categories. With tools like Scrap.io, you can potentially extract data from entire countries, though most users find targeting specific cities or regions more practical for their lead generation needs.

To scrape Google Maps to Excel, you can use tools like Scrap.io that offer direct CSV and Excel export functionality. Simply set up your search criteria, apply filters, and export your results directly to Excel format. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures clean, organized spreadsheets ready for your sales team.

Yes, you can scrape Google Maps reviews as part of the business data extraction process. This includes review text, ratings, review dates, and reviewer information. However, make sure to comply with privacy regulations and focus on business-relevant review data rather than personal information.