To add a Google Maps job block to your career page or job posts, you'll need to use a Google Cloud Account and an API key. We’ve published this article to explain what you need to do to use the Google Maps job block. It gets a little technical so you might want to ask a tech-savvy colleague to help you out.
Why do I need my own Google Maps API key?
In 2018, Google changed the conditions for accessing and showing the Google Maps feature on all external sites, this also means your career page and job posts, made with Homerun.
Google lowered the number of times you are able to freely request and show the Google Maps block. Every time someone visits a career page with a Google Maps block, this will count as a request. Since a lot of our customers are using the Google Maps block, Homerun reaches that amount fairly quickly. When this amount is reached, the Google Maps job block stops working properly. We want to make sure your career page works perfectly, so we’ve made a few changes as to how the Google Maps block will work.
Do I have to pay to use the Google Maps block?
Most likely not, because the Google Maps feature can be shown 28.000 times per month, for free. If your career page is visited very frequently by a lot of people, you might exceed that amount. If that happens, Google will charge you for that. You can read more about how that works on the Google Clouds website.
We’ve divided this article into 2 parts:
Generating and restricting your API key
Adding the API key to your Homerun account
Note: You'll only need one Google Maps API key for your companies' Homerun account.
Generating and restricting your API key
First, you’ll need to generate an API key. This is a personal string of characters that is specifically generated for you and is, in this case, linked to your Google Clouds account. It’s basically a “key” Google gives you to use their products, like Google Maps
Go to the Google Maps Platform and click Get Started, at the top right
From the three options, only select Maps, you won’t need the other two
Enter a new project name, or select an existing project. If you’re creating a new project, go for something like “Career page”
Click Yes if you agree with Google’s terms and click Next. It will take a while to load the next screen, don’t worry :)
Next, you’ll need to register for or login with a Google Billing account. You can create one for free, but Google will also ask for your credit card or bank account details. You can read more about pricing and Google Clouds on their website
After the registration you can enable the API key for Google Maps which will generate and then show your API key. In the small pop up, click API console in the sentence that explains more about restricting your key
A new screen will open with information about your Google Maps API key. At Application restrictions (displayed at the bottom), select HTTP referrers (websites)
Add the following domains to the fields:
- https://app.homerun.co/*
- https://yourdomain.homerun.co/*
- Your custom domain (if you have one), with /* added at the end
Click SaveYou can find your API key on the next page. Copy it by clicking the Copy icon at the right
At the left, click Library
In the search bar, type Geocoding API and click the Geocoding API button
Next, click Enable
Click Library again and search for Maps Javascript API, click the Maps Javascript API button and click Enable
Now that you have your API key, we’re ready for the second part.
Adding the Google Maps API key to your Homerun account
From anywhere in the tool, click Settings in the sidebar
Click Integrations, displayed at Customize
Paste your API key in the field at the Google Maps block
Click Save changes
That’s it! You have now connected Homerun to your own Google Maps API key. Still check if everything works by refreshing your career page and/or job post. If it’s not showing or working properly, retry the steps above or send us a message.