Google Maps on Your Website Is Changing – Here’s What to Do Before 31 May 2026

If your website has an embedded Google Map — whether it’s on a contact page, a store locator, or anywhere else — it relies on Google Maps Platform behind the scenes. To use Google Maps, every website needs an API key: a unique credential that tells Google who is using their service and where to send any charges.

Up until recently, agencies like Spotlight Studios could manage a shared credential on behalf of our clients. That system — known as a Client ID — no longer exists. Google has made two significant changes that together mean every website now needs its own individual API key, set up under the client’s own Google account.

The deadline to have this in place is 31 May 2026. After this date, any website still relying on the old system will see its maps stop working entirely.

Why does the key need to be in your name?

Because the API key is tied to a Google Cloud billing account, it has to live under the account of the person or business responsible for any usage costs. That’s you — not us. This is actually a good thing:

• You own it. The key belongs to you, not your agency. If you ever move to a different provider, your maps keep working without any disruption.
• Costs are transparent. You can see exactly what Google Maps usage is costing you directly in your own Google account, with no surprises.
• Nothing is dependent on us. Your maps won’t be affected by anything that happens on our end.

For the vast majority of business websites, Google Maps usage will sit comfortably within the free tier — so the billing account is largely a formality. That said, we do recommend setting a spending cap as a precaution, which we cover below.

Step-by-step: how to create your API key

This takes around 10 minutes. You’ll need a Google account (your existing Gmail or Google Workspace account works perfectly) and a credit or debit card for the billing step. You can also follow Google’s official getting started guide alongside these steps.

1. Sign in to Google Cloud Console
   Go to console.cloud.google.com and sign in with your Google account. If you already use Gmail, Google Analytics, or Google Workspace, use that same account — it keeps everything in one place.
2. Create a new project
   Click the project dropdown at the top of the page and select New Project. Give it a descriptive name — something like “Your Business Name — Maps” works well. Leave the other fields as default and click Create.
3. Set up billing
   Go to Billing in the left menu and link a credit or debit card. You won’t be charged simply for setting this up — charges only apply if your usage exceeds the free tier, which we’ll help you cap in the next section.
   Most standard business websites — a map on a contact page, a location pin on a landing page — will never exceed Google’s free tier and will not incur any charges.
4. Enable the Maps API
   Go to APIs & Services → Library in the left menu. Search for and enable the Maps JavaScript API. If you’re unsure which APIs your site uses, get in touch and we’ll advise.
5. Generate your API key
   Go to APIs & Services → Credentials. Click Create credentials and select API key. Your new key will appear in a dialog — copy it somewhere safe, then click Close.
6. Restrict the key
   On the Credentials page, click your newly created key to edit it. Under Application restrictions, select HTTP referrers and add your website URL. Under API restrictions, select only the APIs you enabled in the previous step. This ensures the key can only be used on your website.
   Skipping this step leaves your key open to misuse, which could result in unexpected charges. It only takes a couple of minutes and is well worth doing.
7. Share the key with us securely
   Once your key is created and restricted, share it with us via a secure method
   1. a password manager shared link works well
   2. Creating a non-contextual link – https://onetimesecret.com/ just add detail here then past in the secure URL into an email
   3. Final option this form on our website (https://spotlightstudios.co.uk/onboarding/secure-send/)
   4. Please avoid sending it over plain email where possible. Once we have it, we’ll handle everything from there

Setting a billing limit

As a precaution, we recommend setting a monthly spending cap in your Google Cloud account. This means that if usage ever unexpectedly exceeds the free threshold, charges are capped at a comfortable amount rather than left open-ended.

Useful links from Google

• Getting started with Google Maps Platform — Google’s official setup walkthrough
• Google Maps Platform Credentials page — direct link to create your API key
• API key security best practices — Google’s guidance on restricting and protecting your key
• Google Maps Platform March 2025 pricing changes — full detail on the new pricing structure