The Place API is a specialized interface within the Google Maps Platform that provides access to location-based predictive search features. It is the mechanism through which users can access the Query Autocomplete and Place Autocomplete models.
This API is crucial for local SEO and keyword research targeting geographical intent. It allows users to refine the suggestions by specifying precise parameters such as a language code, latitude and longitude coordinates, and a specific search radius (in meters).
By adjusting these parameters, the API returns geographically relevant suggestions, such as listings for nearby businesses (“Pizza near me”) or points of interest. This provides significant advantage over simple Google Search Autocomplete when analyzing local search patterns.