The Problem
Local business data (names, addresses, ratings, hours, phone numbers) is locked behind Google Maps. Scraping Google Maps violates ToS and triggers aggressive bot detection. Google Places API costs $17-40/1K requests depending on endpoint. Teams building local directories, SEO tools, or competitive analyses need an affordable, reliable alternative.
The Scavio Solution
Use Scavio's Google Maps search endpoint to get structured local business data from Google Maps search results at $0.005/credit. Returns business name, address, rating, review count, category, and phone number as JSON. For directory building, competitive analysis, and local SEO monitoring, this covers the data fields you actually need at 3-8x less than the Places API.
Before
Scraping Google Maps with Puppeteer: breaks weekly from bot detection. Places API at $32/1K for place search + $17/1K for details = $49/1K full lookups. Budget for 5K businesses/month: $245/month.
After
Scavio Google Maps search at $0.005/credit. Same business data visible in search results. Budget for 5K lookups/month: $25/month. No scraping, no bot detection, no Places API quotas.
Who It Is For
Local SEO agencies, directory builders, and competitive analysts who need local business data without paying Google Places API rates or maintaining scraping infrastructure.
Key Benefits
- Local business data at $0.005/credit vs $17-40/1K for Places API
- No scraping infrastructure or bot detection risk
- Structured JSON with business name, address, rating, category
- Covers the data fields needed for 80% of local data use cases
- Same endpoint as all other Scavio searches -- one integration
Python Example
import requests, os, json
API_KEY = os.environ["SCAVIO_API_KEY"]
H = {"x-api-key": API_KEY, "Content-Type": "application/json"}
def search_local_businesses(query: str, location: str) -> list[dict]:
resp = requests.post(
"https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search",
headers=H,
json={
"query": f"{query} in {location}",
"platform": "google_maps",
"country_code": "us",
},
timeout=10,
)
resp.raise_for_status()
data = resp.json()
return [
{
"name": biz.get("title"),
"address": biz.get("address"),
"rating": biz.get("rating"),
"reviews": biz.get("reviews"),
"category": biz.get("type"),
"phone": biz.get("phone"),
}
for biz in data.get("local_results", [])
]
# Find coffee shops in Austin -- $0.005 per query
shops = search_local_businesses("coffee shops", "Austin, TX")
for shop in shops:
print(f"{shop['name']} - {shop['rating']} stars ({shop['reviews']} reviews)")
print(f" {shop['address']}")JavaScript Example
const API_KEY = process.env.SCAVIO_API_KEY;
const H = {"x-api-key": API_KEY, "Content-Type": "application/json"};
async function searchLocalBusinesses(query, location) {
const res = await fetch("https://api.scavio.dev/api/v1/search", {
method: "POST",
headers: H,
body: JSON.stringify({
query: `${query} in ${location}`,
platform: "google_maps",
country_code: "us",
}),
});
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Scavio ${res.status}`);
const data = await res.json();
return (data.local_results || []).map(biz => ({
name: biz.title,
address: biz.address,
rating: biz.rating,
reviews: biz.reviews,
category: biz.type,
phone: biz.phone,
}));
}
const shops = await searchLocalBusinesses("coffee shops", "Austin, TX");
shops.forEach(s => {
console.log(`${s.name} - ${s.rating} stars (${s.reviews} reviews)`);
console.log(` ${s.address}`);
});Platforms Used
Google Maps
Local business search with ratings and contact info