Google Maps Platform Address Validation API

What Google Maps Platform Address Validation API is

Google Maps Platform Address Validation API validates address components, standardizes addresses for mailing, and returns the best known geocode. Its response includes parsed address details and a deliverability verdict. The API supports batch validation and address standardization; it does not provide address autocomplete. In an ecommerce checkout, Google describes combining it with Place Autocomplete and a Google Map. The checkout guidance includes Fix, Confirm, and Accept feedback scenarios to help customers correct or confirm an address. For addresses in the United States and Puerto Rico, requests can optionally use USPS CASS processing.

Coverage is global, but coverage and address data quality vary by country. Residential and commercial metadata is populated only for countries listed in the coverage table. Requests use authenticated HTTP POST, and HTTPS is required for requests using API keys or containing user data. Validation methods and feedback methods each have a separate documented limit of 6,000 queries per minute. Policies generally restrict pre-fetching, caching, or storing results; Place IDs may be stored indefinitely. Map displays require a Google Map and Google attribution, while attribution is also required when results appear without a map. Google documents client libraries for Java, Go, Node.js, Python, and .NET.

Who it suits

It suits developers who need to validate and standardize addresses, assess deliverability, or add address checks to an ecommerce checkout. Teams should consider country-specific coverage and data quality, and whether the API’s storage and attribution policies fit their use case.

Limits

Address Validation Pro includes 5,000 free monthly requests, then lists $17 per 1,000 requests in the first paid volume tier. Address Validation Enterprise includes 1,000 free monthly requests, then lists $25 per 1,000 requests in the first paid volume tier. Validation and feedback methods each have a separate maximum of 6,000 queries per minute.

Getting started

1. Open the Address Validation API documentation at https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/address-validation.
2. Choose a listed plan: Address Validation Pro or Address Validation Enterprise.
3. Authenticate and send requests using HTTP POST; use HTTPS for API-key requests or requests containing user data.
4. Use a documented client library for Java, Go, Node.js, Python, or .NET, if applicable.
5. For checkout, consider combining Address Validation with Place Autocomplete and a Google Map.

Verdict

Choose Google Maps Platform Address Validation API when an application needs address validation, mailing standardization, or deliverability information. Check the coverage table and data policies for the countries and workflows involved. Its listed paid tiers begin at $17 a month, with different free monthly request caps and first paid volume tiers.