> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://serpapi.com/blog/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# A Simpler Way to Work with Location in Google Maps API
- URL: https://serpapi.com/blog/a-simpler-way-to-work-with-location-in-google-maps-api/
- Published: 2026-03-23T22:23:03.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-23T22:23:58.000Z
- Description: Defining location in the Google Maps API is now simpler than ever. With the new location parameter, you can describe places naturally -while still using z or m to control exactly how much of the map you want to explore.
- Author: Gabriela Sosa
- Tags: Google Maps

Searching for something like "coffee shops near me" sounds simple, but behind the scenes, it requires defining both a location and the area around it. Without that context, a search isn't complete.

If you've worked with location-based queries before, you know that getting this right matters.

Let's look at how this just became easier.

##   **How Location Worked Before**

In the Google Maps API, location has traditionally been handled using the ll parameter:

- ll: latitude and longitude (the center point of the search)

This allowed you to define **where** the search should happen.

At the same time, parameters like:

- z (zoom level), or
- m (distance in meters)

were used to define how large the search area should be.

## **What's New: A More User-Friendly Way to Set Location**

The main improvement is the introduction of a more user-friendly way to provide location. Instead of relying only on latitude and longitude (ll), you can now use:

**location (a place name or address)**

This makes requests easier to read, write, and understand.

**Example mindset:**

- Before: You needed coordinates like 40.7128,-74.0060
- Now: You can simply use something like "New York, NY."

**Location + Scope: How It Works Together**

No matter how you define the location (ll or location), you still need to define the search scope. That's where z and m come in:

- z : controls the **map zoom level**
- m : defines the **distance in meters from the center**

**Important note:**

When using location, you must include either z or m. This ensures the API knows how wide the search area should be.

**Understanding z vs m**

**z: Zoom Level**

- Minimum: 3 (very zoomed out)
- Typical range: up to 18–23, depending on location
- Max allowed: 30

z controls how "zoomed in" the map is. Think in terms of **map view**

**m: Distance in Meters**

- Minimum: 1 meter
- Maximum: 15028132 meters

m defines a real-world distance from the center point. Think in terms of **radius**

**Which One Should You Use?**

It depends on how you think about your search.

- Use z if you want to control the map zoom level
- Use m if you want to control the distance from a location

Both are valid - they just represent different ways of defining the same idea: how much of the map to include

## **Let's explore an actual example using Python**

Imagine you want to find restaurants within **1 km of Palermo, Buenos Aires**.

Here's an example:

```Python
import requests

SERPAPI_API_KEY = "YOUR_SERPAPI_API_KEY"

params = {
    "api_key": SERPAPI_API_KEY,
    "engine": "google_maps",
    "q": "restaurants",
    "location": "Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina",
    "m": 1000 
}

search = requests.get("https://serpapi.com/search", params=params)
response = search.json()

for place in response.get("local_results", []):
    print(place.get("title"), "-", place.get("address"))
```

You can explore the full documentation here: 

https://serpapi.com/google-maps-api

You can also explore this search in our Plaground [here](https://serpapi.com/playground?engine=google%5Fmaps&q=restaurants&location=Palermo%2C+Buenos+Aires%2C+Argentina&m=1000&google%5Fdomain=google.com.ar&hl=es&gl=ar&type=search)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a5/00/a5004977-0dd2-4bcd-9292-dd0e05d4c59e/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-22-at-11.41.04---PM.png)

If you don't have an API KEY yet, register at serpapi.com to get one. 

---

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