Google Business Profile
When should I use the Google Business Profile API instead of the Google Business Profile dashboard?
Short answer
Use the owner-facing Google Business Profile Manager dashboard for a one-off performance check or an occasional spreadsheet export. Use the Google Business Profile APIs when an approved application must repeat reporting across locations or manage profile data programmatically. Google access approval and request limits apply to API use; OAuth 2.0 is required when requests access protected, non-public profile data, so the API is not the lower-friction choice for every task.
By Sergey Sulimko, Founder · 10 sources, read Oct 21, 2026
How should I choose between the dashboard and the API?
Choose the dashboard for occasional owner reporting and the API for approved, authenticated, repeatable programmatic work.
| Your situation | Better starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Check performance once for a verified profile | Dashboard | Google documents a signed-in, owner-facing performance report for one or multiple profiles.1 |
| Download an occasional spreadsheet for one or several profiles | Dashboard | Business Profile Manager has a documented multi-profile download path for comparing locations.1 |
| Repeat a report across accessible accounts and locations | API | The documented account and location methods support paginated discovery, while the Performance API returns time series for a specific location.234 |
| Create or update location data programmatically | API | The Business Information API documents create, list, update, and attribute operations for locations.5 |
| Use protected profile data without an approved project | Neither yet | API access has eligibility and approval requirements, and protected data requires OAuth 2.0.67 |
| Perform an action whose API method you have not confirmed | Verify the documented method first | Choose a documented Manager path when it covers the task, and verify the exact API method before building a programmatic workflow. |
Show all 6 rows
Should I use the dashboard for a one-off performance check?
Yes. The dashboard is the lower-friction choice for a one-off performance check when the Business Profile is verified and the user is signed in to the Google Account associated with it.
Google’s Business Profile Help page says performance data is available only for verified profiles. The page also says the report shows how customers find the profile and what they do after finding it, for an individual profile or multiple profiles.1 That owner-facing path answers an occasional reporting need without adding an API project, approval request, or OAuth flow.
The Google Business Profile API is a programming interface for applications that manage Business Profile account and location data. The Business Profile Performance API is its reporting-focused surface.
Can I export performance data from the dashboard for multiple profiles?
Yes. Business Profile Manager can download performance data for multiple profiles in a spreadsheet, so the dashboard fits an occasional comparison.
On a computer, Google’s documented path is:1
- Open Business Profile Manager.
- Select the checkbox next to the profiles to include.
- At the top right, select Actions, then Insights.
- Select the timeframe.
- Select Download Report. If a “Download ready” dialog appears, select DOWNLOAD.
Google says this spreadsheet can compare the performance of different locations. Google also notes that a download can show *** in columns when downloads are not enabled.1
For a repeatable export with saved request scope and pagination, use the Google Business Profile Performance API export workflow as the operational companion to this choice.
When does the API fit repeatable multi-location reporting?
The API fits when an application must repeat a report and rebuild its account and location scope instead of relying on a person to select profiles each time.
Google’s accounts.list method lists accounts available to the authenticated user, including accounts the user owns and accounts where the user has management rights. The accounts.locations.list method lists accessible locations and can return a nextPageToken when more locations remain.34
Read the full answer
The documented Performance API request is scoped to a specific location and returns values for each date in a requested time range.2 A repeatable multi-location export therefore enumerates the accessible accounts and locations, then makes the appropriate per-location requests. The documented Performance API methods are per-location, so an application must retain each location scope while assembling a multi-location export.2
This is a workflow distinction, not an API-only rule. Google documents a multi-profile spreadsheet download in Business Profile Manager, so a person who needs an occasional comparison can stay in the dashboard.1
Should I use the API to change profile information programmatically?
Use the API when your application needs a documented, repeatable operation on profile location data and the project has approved access.
Google’s Business Profile APIs are programming interfaces for managing Business Profile account and location data. Google’s Business Information API reference documents operations to create a location, list an account’s locations, update a location, update attributes, and list attributes available for a location’s category and country.5
That list is a documented API scope. Choose a documented Manager path when it covers the task, and verify the exact API method before building a programmatic workflow.
What approval and authentication does the API require?
API use is conditional on Google’s access requirements and OAuth 2.0 authentication for protected profile data.
Google says the Business Profile APIs are not available to all users. Its overview lists a valid Google Account, a valid business reason, a valid Google Cloud project, and a valid business website URL among the access conditions.6 Google’s prerequisites page adds that the applicant must manage a verified and active Business Profile for at least 60 days, have a website representing the business listed on the profile, use an owner or manager email, and apply through Google’s access process.7
Read the full answer
For protected, non-public data, Google’s setup guidance requires an OAuth 2.0 client ID and an OAuth 2.0 token on requests.8 The documented Performance API methods require the business.manage OAuth scope.10 Google also says the Business Profile APIs have no Sandbox environment.8
These requirements make the API a poor first step for a single manual check. They are part of the operating cost of a repeatable application, not evidence that the API produces better profile performance.
What quotas and edit limits should I check before using the API?
Google defines QPM as a short-term request limit and QPD as a daily usage limit. The quota page lists these examples:9
| Scope | Published limit | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Business Information API default requests | 300 QPM | Request-volume limit for the default operation group |
| Create Location and SearchGoogleLocation | 300 QPD each | Daily limits for the named operations |
| Update Location | 10,000 QPD | Daily limit for the named operation |
| Account Management, Performance, Verifications, Lodging, Place Actions, and Notifications APIs | 300 QPM each | Per-API request limits listed in Google’s standard table |
| Edits to one Google Business Profile | 10 per minute | Per-profile edit limit that Google says cannot be increased |
These rows are not one combined allowance. When a request exceeds a quota, Google documents HTTP 429 Too Many Requests, or RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED over gRPC.9 Google separately says that 0 QPM means the project has not been approved and directs the applicant to the Application For Basic API Access rather than a quota-increase request.79
Read the full answer
The Google Business Profile API quota limits answer has the full published table. The quotas measure request throughput and edit rate, not searches, views, calls, ranking position, or business outcomes.
What should I do if I have not confirmed an API method for the task?
Start with the documented owner-facing dashboard path when it covers the job, and verify a specific API method before calling the workflow programmatic.
Use the documented Manager path when it covers the task, and verify the exact API method before building a programmatic workflow.
Common questions
- The dashboard is lower friction for occasional reporting because Google documents an owner-facing performance report and a multi-profile spreadsheet download. The API adds approval, OAuth, and quota requirements for protected, repeatable programmatic work.
- No. Google documents a Business Profile Manager spreadsheet download for multiple profiles. The API is the better fit when the report must run repeatedly, discover accessible locations, or feed another application.
- No. Google’s Basic setup guidance says requests that access protected, non-public profile data require an OAuth 2.0 client ID and token.
- No. The API changes how an application accesses and manages documented profile data. It does not guarantee rankings, a position in local results, more visibility, or any other business outcome.
Maps Agent service
Where your profile stands now
Visibility Score 0-100 · 20 scored factors · free · no signup
- Profile Completeness
- 11 checks · 40% of score
- Performance
- 4 checks · 35% of score
- Competitive Position
- 5 metrics · 25% of score
Sources
- 1Understand your Business Profile performance & insightsGoogle Business Profile Help · footer ©2026;, read Oct 14, 2026
- 2Business Profile Performance APIGoogle for Developers · last updated 2024‑10‑16;, read Oct 17, 2026
- 3Method: accounts.list | Google Business Profile APIs | Google for DevelopersGoogle for Developers · last updated 2024‑10‑16;, read Oct 12, 2026
- 4Method: accounts.locations.list | Google Business Profile APIs | Google for DevelopersGoogle for Developers · last updated 2024‑10‑16;, read Oct 12, 2026
- 5My Business Business Information APIGoogle for Developers · last updated 2024‑10‑16;, read Oct 12, 2026
- 6Business Profile overviewGoogle for Developers · last updated 2026‑08‑28;, read Oct 12, 2026
- 7PrerequisitesGoogle for Developers · last updated 2026‑08‑28;, read Oct 21, 2026
- 8Basic setupGoogle for Developers · last updated 2026‑08‑28;, read Oct 12, 2026
- 9Quota limitsGoogle for Developers · last updated 2026‑08‑28;, read Oct 21, 2026
- 10Method: locations.fetchMultiDailyMetricsTimeSeriesGoogle for Developers · last updated 2024‑10‑16;, read Oct 12, 2026