Google Maps contains valuable data -- local results, place ids, GPS coordinates, ratings, and more. Scraping this data directly means dealing with anti-bot detection, CAPTCHAs, IP rotation, and constantly breaking selectors. The Scavio API handles all of that and returns clean, structured JSON from a single POST request.
This tutorial shows you how to scrape Google Maps using Ruby and the Scavio API. By the end, you will have a working Ruby script that fetches real-time Google Maps data and parses the results.
Prerequisites
- Ruby installed on your machine
- A Scavio API key (free tier includes 50 credits on signup -- no credit card required)
Step 1: Install Dependencies
Install net/http to make HTTP requests:
# net/http and json are in Ruby's standard libraryStep 2: Make Your First Google Maps Search
Send a POST request to the Scavio Google Maps API endpoint with your query. The API returns structured JSON with local results, place ids, GPS coordinates, and more.
# ll (map center, @lat,lng,zoomz) is what controls where results come from - gl alone only
# picks the country default.
require "net/http"
require "json"
api_key = "sk_live_your_key"
query = "coffee shops near me"
uri = URI("https://api.scavio.dev/api/v2/google/maps/search")
http = Net::HTTP.new(uri.host, uri.port)
http.use_ssl = true
request = Net::HTTP::Post.new(uri)
request["Authorization"] = "Bearer #{api_key}"
request["Content-Type"] = "application/json"
request.body = { query: query }.to_json
response = http.request(request)
data = JSON.parse(response.body)
puts JSON.pretty_generate(data)Step 3: Example Response
The API returns structured JSON. Here is an example response for a Google Maps search:
{
"search_parameters": { "engine": "google_maps", "type": "search", "q": "marketing agency new york" },
"local_results": [
{
"position": 1,
"title": "Jives Media",
"place_id": "ChIJr-cZk4ZZwokRu-ftpVM5lVQ",
"data_id": "0x89c259869319e7af:0x54953953a5ede7bb",
"rating": 4.9,
"reviews": 199,
"type": "Marketing agency",
"address": "800 6th Ave Ste 36C, New York, NY 10001",
"phone": "(929) 265-5595",
"website": "https://www.jivesmedia.com/"
}
],
"response_time": 3480,
"credits_used": 1,
"credits_remaining": 4814
}Every field is structured and typed -- no HTML parsing, no CSS selectors, no regex extraction. Your Ruby code can access any field directly.
Step 4: Full Working Example
Here is a complete, runnable Ruby script that searches Google Maps and prints the results:
require "net/http"
require "json"
# Search Google Maps data with the Scavio API.
# POST /api/v2/google/maps/search - rows come back under local_results.
# ll (map center, @lat,lng,zoomz) is what controls where results come from - gl alone only
# picks the country default.
API_URL = "https://api.scavio.dev/api/v2/google/maps/search"
def search_google_maps(query)
api_key = ENV.fetch("SCAVIO_API_KEY")
uri = URI(API_URL)
http = Net::HTTP.new(uri.host, uri.port)
http.use_ssl = true
request = Net::HTTP::Post.new(uri)
request["Authorization"] = "Bearer #{api_key}"
request["Content-Type"] = "application/json"
request.body = { query: query }.to_json
response = http.request(request)
raise "Scavio API error: #{response.code}" unless response.is_a?(Net::HTTPSuccess)
JSON.parse(response.body)
end
data = search_google_maps("coffee shops near me")
puts JSON.pretty_generate(data)Why Use Scavio Instead of Scraping Google Maps Directly?
- No proxy management. Direct scraping requires rotating proxies to avoid IP bans. Scavio handles all of this server-side.
- No CAPTCHA solving. Google Maps aggressively blocks automated requests. Scavio returns clean data every time.
- Structured JSON output. No HTML parsing or CSS selector maintenance. Get typed, consistent data from every request.
- Multi-platform in one API. Search Google, Amazon, YouTube, and Walmart from the same API key with the same authentication pattern.
- Free tier included. 50 credits on signup with no credit card required. Each search costs 1 credit.