The Problem
Google Maps scraping at scale requires headless browsers, proxy rotation, and custom parsers that break when Google updates their UI. The official Places API charges $17/1K requests for detailed data. Outscraper charges $3/1K records. Teams need a cheaper, more reliable approach.
The Scavio Solution
Query Google with location-specific searches that trigger Map Pack results. The SERP API returns business name, address, rating, review count, and phone number from Map Pack listings. No headless browser or Maps-specific scraping needed.
Before
Before the switch, a lead gen team used Puppeteer + residential proxies to scrape Google Maps. Setup: 2 days. Maintenance: 3-4 hours/week when selectors broke. Cost: $60/month proxies + compute. Success rate dropped to 50% after Google's March 2026 anti-bot update.
After
After switching to SERP API, the team queries 'dentists near [neighborhood]' across 50 areas. 50 queries return 150-250 businesses with rating, review count, and address. Cost: $0.25/day. No maintenance needed. Success rate: 99%+.
Who It Is For
Lead generation agencies, local marketing consultants, and sales teams who need Google Maps business data without expensive APIs or fragile scrapers.
Key Benefits
- Map Pack data at $0.005/query vs $17/1K Places API
- Business name, rating, review count, address, phone
- No headless browser or proxy infrastructure
- Cover entire cities via neighborhood-level queries
- Consistent JSON output without parser maintenance
Python Example
import requests, os
H = {'x-api-key': os.environ['SCAVIO_API_KEY']}
def maps_leads(business_type, city, neighborhoods):
leads = []
for n in neighborhoods:
r = requests.post('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search', headers=H,
json={'platform': 'google',
'query': f'{business_type} near {n} {city}'},
timeout=10).json()
for result in r.get('organic_results', [])[:5]:
leads.append({'name': result.get('title', ''),
'rating': result.get('rating', ''),
'reviews': result.get('review_count', '')})
return leads
leads = maps_leads('dentist', 'Chicago', ['Loop', 'Lincoln Park', 'Wicker Park'])
print(f'Found {len(leads)} leads')JavaScript Example
const H = {'x-api-key': process.env.SCAVIO_API_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json'};
async function mapsLeads(type, city, areas) {
const leads = [];
for (const area of areas) {
const r = await fetch('https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search', {
method: 'POST', headers: H,
body: JSON.stringify({platform: 'google', query: `${type} near ${area} ${city}`})
}).then(r => r.json());
(r.organic_results || []).slice(0, 5).forEach(r =>
leads.push({name: r.title, rating: r.rating, reviews: r.review_count}));
}
return leads;
}
mapsLeads('dentist', 'Chicago', ['Loop', 'Lincoln Park']).then(l => console.log(`${l.length} leads`));Platforms Used
Web search with knowledge graph, PAA, and AI overviews