A Google Places API key is a free credential from Google Cloud that lets software request place details, including reviews, for a specific Place ID. You create one in the Google Cloud Console by making a project, enabling the Places API, and generating a key under Credentials. The whole process takes about five minutes and the steps are below.
Do you actually need a key? If you use WP Review Slider Pro, usually not. The plugin’s standard Google Crawl method downloads about 50 reviews per location with just your Place ID or business name, no API key, no billing account. The Google Places API method is an alternative that uses your own key and returns the 5 most relevant or 5 newest reviews (10 with both). Pick the API route if you want the official Google endpoint or need service area business search.
How to create your Google Places API key
- Open the Google Cloud Console. Go to console.cloud.google.com and sign in with a Google account.
- Create a project. Use the project drop-down at the top of the page, click New Project, give it a name such as “Website Reviews”, and create it.
- Set up billing. Google requires a billing account on the project before the Places API will respond, even for free-tier usage. Open Billing and link or create one. Google provides a monthly free usage allowance for Places requests; a plugin that refreshes reviews once a day uses a small fraction of it. Check Google Maps Platform pricing for the current allowance.
- Enable the Places API. Go to APIs & Services → Library, search for Places API, open it, and click Enable. If Google shows both “Places API” and “Places API (New)”, enable Places API. That is the one the test URL below uses.
- Create the key. Go to APIs & Services → Credentials, click Create credentials → API key, and copy the key that appears.
- Restrict the key (recommended). Click the key to edit it. Under API restrictions choose Restrict key and select Places API. Do not add an HTTP referrer restriction: the request comes from your WordPress server, not a browser, so a referrer rule would block it. If you want an application restriction, use your server’s IP address.
Add the key to WP Review Slider Pro
- In WordPress, open WP Review Slider Pro → Get Reviews and click Add Review Source Site.
- Choose Google, then Google Places API.
- Paste the key into Google Places API Key, save, and click Test API Key.
- Use Type to Find Location to pick your business, or tick This is a service area business and search by name and city.
- Choose which reviews to fetch: Most Relevant, Newest, or Both. Google’s API returns about 5 reviews per sort.
- Save, download, and set Auto Update (days) so new reviews keep arriving. Then place a review template or badge shortcode on any page.
Video walkthrough
Google has redesigned the Cloud Console several times since this video was recorded, so menu names may differ slightly, but the sequence (project, billing, enable API, credentials) is the same.
Troubleshooting: test your key in the browser
If the plugin cannot download reviews, paste this URL into a browser with your own values filled in. A working key returns a JSON page with your business details and a reviews list near the bottom. An error message there tells you what Google is rejecting, usually billing not enabled, the API not enabled on the project, or a key restriction.
https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/details/json?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID&key=YOUR_API_KEY
Google Places API key FAQ
Is the Google Places API key free?
Creating the key is free. Usage is billed against Google Maps Platform pricing, which includes a monthly free allowance that covers typical review-sync usage. A billing account must still be attached to the project.
Why does the API only return 5 reviews?
That is a limit of Google’s Place Details endpoint, not of the plugin. It returns the 5 most relevant or 5 newest reviews per request. To bring in more, use WP Review Slider Pro’s Google Crawl method, which downloads around 50 reviews per location without an API key, or a Review Funnel for the full list.
Does the key expire?
No. A key keeps working until you delete it, restrict it, or billing on the project lapses. If reviews stop downloading, check billing first, then run the test URL above.
Can I use one key for several websites?
Yes, as long as the key’s restrictions allow it. Keep the key restricted to the Places API and avoid HTTP referrer restrictions for server-side plugins.
Next step: with your key and Place ID in hand, follow the Google reviews setup guide to put a review slider or rating badge on your site, or start the free trial of WP Review Slider Pro.
