Is there a way to input our API Key for google? Although it is not mandatory, it does provide some great stats in the google API console to better keep track of requests and figure out why (if such is the case) one is exceeding their limits. This is also great for higher traffic sites that might exceed the limits and are paying for additional requests. Google allows one to pay additional (per thousand) if exceeding the limits occasionally, without having to have an expensive Google Business Account - but this will only work through the API - ie having a Key.

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LeviThomason’s picture

LeviThomason commented

I also wanted to use my API key to increase my quota, but for using drush geocoder-backfill. Patching to accept a Google API Key resulted in this from Google:

{
   "results" : [],
   "status" : "REQUEST_DENIED"
}

After trying to debug this for a good couple hours I learned there is more going on here than just geocoding with/without an API key. There are separate limits for Google Geocode API and Google Maps API. Geocoding is fixed at 2,500 per day without a business account and the 25,000 per day not for Google Geocoding API like I thought but for Google Maps API map loads per day.

Google Geocoding Strategies
"Server-side geocoding through the Geocoding Web Service has a quota of 2,500 requests per IP per day, so all requests in one day count against the quota. In addition, the Web Service is rate-limited, so that requests that come in too quickly result in blocking."

"Many people mistakenly think quotas are tied to keys. However, keys don't affect your geocoding quota at all. Registering for a new key won't help. Quota is solely tied to IP addresses. Therefore a new key won't give you any more quota at a particular IP address."

Google Geocode API Limits
"Use of the Google Geocoding API is subject to a query limit of 2,500 requests per day."

Google Maps Usage Limits FAQ
"Web sites and applications using the Google Maps API may at no cost generate up to 25,000 map loads per day for each service."

AFAICT the good folks here supporting the wonderful Geocoder module have done all that can be done in the way of quota. Seems if you want more you need to signup for Google Maps API for businesses. Even then, you don't send your API key with the geocode request but you send your client id and a signature generated from your key.

Here is a table that shows which keys to use for which Google Maps products: What keys or identifiers should I use for different Maps products?

Darn!

LeviThomason’s picture

LeviThomason commented
Status: Active » Closed (works as designed)

Setting to works as designed since Geocoder is intended as a geocoding widget only (not a Google map formatter) and the maps api key is only applicable to Google Maps API map loads, not Google Geocode API geocode queries.

Let me know if I'm overstepping my bounds here!

Levi

mpdonadio’s picture

mpdonadio
he/him
Primary language English
Location Philadelphia/PA/USA (UTC-5)
commented
Issue summary: View changes

Late comment on this, but requests to the Google geocoding API can use an API key. There are several types of API keys. The V3 maps interface can use a browser key, while the geocoder_google() function could use a server key.

I'll provide a patch if I end up needing to do this for a current project.

sam152’s picture

sam152 commented

Did anyone ever get their API key into the geocoder? I have also been throttled on a project that makes heavy use the geocoder, so we need to find a way to input our API key.

hawkeye.twolf’s picture

hawkeye.twolf
they/them or he/him
Primary language English
Location ᏙᎩᏯᏍᏗ Unalatogiyasdi, Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee country)
commented
Status: Closed (works as designed) » Closed (duplicate)

Dupe of #2024809: Allow using a google API key