Configure Google Places and Geocoding

Blacklist Manager Premium uses server-side Google Maps Platform web-service requests. Address autocomplete uses Places API (New) Autocomplete and Place Details. The optional IP-to-address distance automation also uses the Geocoding API.

Open the feature

Go to Blacklist Manager > Settings > Integrations > Google Maps API key.

Create the Google Cloud configuration

1. Create or select a dedicated Google Cloud project and enable billing.
2. Enable Places API (New).
3. If the store uses the IP-to-address distance rule, also enable Geocoding API.
4. Create a dedicated API key for this WordPress site.
5. Under API restrictions, allow only Places API (New) and, when required, Geocoding API.

Apply the correct application restriction

The plugin sends requests from the WordPress server, so an HTTP-referrer/website restriction is not appropriate for this key. If the host has a stable public outbound IP address, use an IP address application restriction for that server. Ask the hosting provider for the outbound IP if it differs from the website address.

If outbound IP addresses are dynamic and cannot be restricted reliably, keep the API restrictions narrow, use a dedicated key, set quota and budget alerts, and monitor unexpected usage.

Save and verify

1. Save the key in Blacklist Manager.
2. Open a supported billing or shipping address field and enter at least three characters.
3. Select a suggestion and confirm address line, city, state, postcode, and country are populated correctly.
4. Test representative domestic and international addresses used by the store.
5. If using the distance rule, run a separate staging order and verify that address geocoding succeeds.

Usage and privacy

• The plugin manages Autocomplete session tokens and requests only required fields through field masks.
• Search text and selected place information are sent to Google; the distance rule sends an order address for geocoding.
• Google pricing, SKUs, free usage, and EEA terms can change. Review current billing documentation instead of relying on a fixed quota in this guide.

Troubleshooting

• No suggestions: confirm billing, Places API (New), key restrictions, and server outbound IP.
• Suggestion works but distance lookup fails: enable Geocoding API and allow it on the key.
• REQUEST_DENIED or 403: inspect API/application restrictions and the Google Cloud project selected for the key.
• Unexpected charges: inspect usage by credential, reduce allowed APIs, and review quota/budget alerts.

Official provider documentation

• Autocomplete (New)
• Google Maps Platform API security
• Places API usage and billing
• Geocoding API documentation

Provider documentation and commercial terms can change. These links were verified on August 3, 2026.