This workflow leverages n8n to perform automated Google Maps API queries and manage data efficiently in Google Sheets. It's designed to extract specific location data based on a given list of ZIP codes and categories.
Features
- Queries the Google Maps API for location data using predefined ZIP codes and subcategories.
- Filters, de-duplicates, and organizes data into structured rows in Google Sheets.
- Implements exponential backoff retries to handle API rate limits.
- Logs and updates statuses directly in Google Sheets for easy tracking.
Prerequisites
-
Google OAuth Credentials : A configured Google Cloud project for Google Maps API and Sheets API access.
-
Google Sheets : A sheet with ZIP codes and categories defined (eg, "AZ Zips").
-
n8n Setup : A running instance of n8n with credentials configured for Google OAuth.
Setup Instructions
1. Prepare Google Sheets
- Add the ZIP codes to the "AZ Zips" sheet.
- Define subcategories in another sheet (eg, "Google Maps Categories").
- Provide the sheet's URL in the
Settings node of the workflow.
2. Configure API Access
- Set up Google OAuth credentials for Maps and Sheets APIs in n8n.
- Ensure your API key has access to the
places.searchText endpoint.
3. Workflow Customization
- Modify
textQuery parameters in the GMaps API node to match your query needs.
- Adjust trigger intervals as required (eg, manual or scheduled execution).
4. Run the Workflow
- Execute the workflow manually or schedule periodic runs to keep your data updated.
Notes
- This workflow includes robust error handling to retry failed API calls with exponential backoff.
- All data is organized and logged directly in Google Sheets for easy reference and updates.
For more information or issues, feel free to reach out!
