How to Collect 1000+ Google Maps Business Data Using n8n (Without Third-Party Tools)

Ever tried collecting Google Maps business data only to hit that frustrating “20 results limit”? You’re not alone. Many marketers, researchers, and small business owners face this exact problem. But here’s the good news: you can automate and collect 1000+ results using n8n and Google Places API—without relying on third-party scrapers.

Let me show you step by step how it works.

Why You’re Stuck at 20 Results

Google Maps (via Google Places API) is designed to limit each query to 20 results per request. That means:

• First request → Top 20 results
• Run it again with the same keyword → Same 20 results
• To get more, you need pagination using next_page_token

Important: Simply executing the workflow multiple times won’t give you new results. Without using the next page token, Google will keep sending the first 20 listings over and over.

Step 1: Understanding Pagination in Google Places API

Here’s how pagination works:

1. Send your first API request with a keyword and a location.
2. The response includes a next_page_token if more results exist.
3. Wait 2–3 seconds (Google requires this for token activation).
4. Use the token in your next request → fetch the next 20 results.
5. Repeat up to 3 pages → max 60 results per keyword-location combination.

Step 2: How to Collect 1000+ Business Listings

Since one query gives max 60 results, here’s how to scale:

A. Split Locations

• Break your target city into smaller areas using different radii (e.g., 1000m, 2000m).
• Each radius returns a separate set of 60 results.

B. Use Multiple Keywords

• Don’t stick to a single keyword. Use variations like:
  • “restaurant”
  • “cafe”
  • “coffee shop”
• Each keyword-location combo adds up more unique results.

C. Combine Both

• Use different keywords across different small areas to collect hundreds or thousands of listings.

Step 3: n8n Workflow for Automation

Here’s the setup that works:

1. Start Node: Loop through your keyword + location combinations.
2. HTTP Request Node (Google Places API): Make your first API request.
3. Wait Node: Pause 2–3 seconds for next_page_token to activate.
4. HTTP Request Node (Page 2 & 3): Fetch next 20 results using token.
5. Append Node: Save results to Google Sheets or a database.
6. Loop Node: Move to the next keyword/location combination.

Pro Tip: Add small delays to prevent hitting API limits.

Step 4: Best Practices for Large-Scale Data Collection

• Track processed keywords & locations carefully.
• Store intermediate results to avoid duplicates.
• Use systematic loops instead of random requests.
• Monitor Google Cloud API quotas to prevent temporary blocks.
• Start small → test workflow → scale gradually.

Step 5: Why This Approach Works

• ✅ No third-party scraping tools needed
• ✅ Fully automated using n8n
• ✅ Systematic, scalable, and efficient
• ✅ Collects unique results across multiple queries
• ✅ Ideal for marketers, researchers, and business owners

Collecting Google Maps data doesn’t have to be frustrating. With n8n + Google Places API, you can efficiently gather 1000+ business listings without breaking Google’s rules or using sketchy scrapers.

Remember: planning, pagination, and systematic loops are key. Split locations, diversify keywords, and automate with n8n—and you’ll have a massive dataset ready for your business or research project.