Google Map Search Places action is used to find places that match the entered query within a specific location (latitude, longitude) and radius. It is ideal for searching for places such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, banks, or any other business. It provides a location-based search experience in applications by listing points of interest near the user.
Technical Specifications
Function: Searches for places within a specified location and radius.
Parameters:
settings (Object – required): Google Maps settings.
query (String – required): Type/name of location to search for (e.g., “restaurant,” “ATM,” “hotel”).
latitude (Double – required): Latitude for the center point of the search.
longitude (Double – required): Longitude for the center point of the search.
radius (Double – required): Search radius (in meters).
Result: Singular (One) → Returns a response object containing the search results (which will include a list of places).
Value Binding:
Fixed Value.
Can be dynamically obtained from the user's location or map selection.
Google Map Search Places Application Steps
1. Add Action
Go to the screen where the search will be performed in the project.
Select UI Design → + ADD ACTION → Google → Google Map Search Places.
2. Configure Parameters
settings: Select the Google Maps connection settings.
query: Enter values such as “restaurant”, “pharmacy”, ‘supermarket’.
latitude / longitude: The user's current location or the point selected on the map.
radius: E.g. 1000 → Search within a 1 km radius.
Use Case: “List Nearby Restaurants”
In a food ordering app, when the user clicks the “restaurants near me” button:
Device location is obtained: latitude = 41.0082, longitude = 28.9784.
query = “restaurant”, radius = 1500 (1.5 km).
Action runs → Restaurant list is returned in the result.
The app displays this list on a map or in a card view.
Google Map Search Places Advanced Customizations
Category-Based Search: The query parameter can be taken from user selection (e.g., “Cafe,” “Market”).
Dynamic Radius: The user can select different distance filters (e.g., 500 m – 2 km).
Combined Use with Address: First, the address is converted to coordinates using the Geocode action, then Search Places is performed using these coordinates.
Technical Risks and Controls
Very large radius values (e.g., 50 km) may reduce API performance.
If the query is left blank, Google may return the nearest popular places.
