Updated Oct 2026

Google Business Profile API Access: How to Get Approved, Step by Step

To get Google Business Profile API access you need three things: a Google Cloud project, a Business Profile that has been verified and active for at least 60 days, and a website that represents that business. You then submit the “Application for Basic API Access” through Google’s GBP API contact form, from an email listed as owner or manager on the profile, with your Cloud project number. Google says requests are reviewed within 14 days. You know you’re in when your quota changes from 0 to 300 queries per minute (QPM).

What Google Business Profile API access unlocks

“The Google Business Profile API” is really a family of APIs. Once approved, your Cloud project gets the default quota on all of them:

Two things surprise most teams. First, reviews still live in the older v4 surface (we cover what moved out of v4). Second, access only covers profiles you manage. The API will not return reviews for a competitor or any place you don’t own or manage.

Before you apply: the requirements checklist

Google’s prerequisites page lists the requirements. Check each one before you submit, because a failed check is the fastest route to a rejection email.

Google also recommends that the profile is complete and current. Hours, categories and the official website should all be filled in before you apply.

How to apply for Google Business Profile API access (step by step)

Step 1 — Create a Google Cloud project and copy the project number

In the Google Cloud console, click Create project, give it a name that matches your product and click Create. Open the project Dashboard and copy the Project number from the Project info card. It’s a long number, not the project ID string. Mixing up the two is a common mistake.

Step 2 — Confirm the profile is eligible

Pick the Business Profile you’ll use for the application. It can be your own office or a client profile you manage. It must have been verified and active for 60 days or more, and it must list the business website. If your company has no physical location, use a client profile you already manage as manager.

Step 3 — Create an Organization account

Create an Organization account in Business Profile for your company. This is the account that groups the locations your integration will manage.

Step 4 — Open the GBP API contact form

Go to the GBP API contact form at support.google.com/business/contact/api_default. In the drop-down, choose Application for Basic API Access. Don’t pick “Quota Increase Request” here: with a 0 QPM quota, Google asks you to apply for basic access first.

Step 5 — Fill in the form

Submit from an email that is listed as owner or manager on the profile, and paste your project number. Describe your use case in plain language. Say what you’ll read, what you’ll write, and for whom.

Sample use-case description (adapt it, don’t copy it):

We build an internal tool for [Company] to manage the Business Profiles of our 12 locations, which we own. We will read reviews, reply to them from our support team’s inbox and track profile performance. We do not access profiles we don’t manage, and we don’t resell data.

Step 6 — Wait for the review email

Google’s FAQ says requests are reviewed within 14 days, and you’ll get a follow-up email. Don’t submit duplicate requests while you wait.

Step 7 — Check your quota in the Cloud console

Open APIs & Services in your project and look at the Business Profile API quotas. Google gives you a simple rule:

• 0 QPM: the project is not approved yet.
• 300 QPM: the project is approved.

Step 8 — Enable the APIs and create OAuth credentials

Google’s basic setup guide lists the APIs to enable: Google My Business API, My Business Account Management API, My Business Lodging API, My Business Place Actions API, My Business Notifications API, My Business Verifications API and My Business Business Information API. Then go to Credentials → Create credentials → OAuth client ID. Every call uses the OAuth scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/business.manage.

How long does Google Business Profile API approval take?

Google’s own figure is “within 14 days”. Plan for the full window. You can’t call the API with real data before approval, so build your data layer against fixtures and switch to live calls once your quota reads 300. If you’re past 14 days with no email, check that the email you used is still owner or manager on the profile before contacting support again.

Why Google Business Profile API access requests get rejected

Google doesn’t publish a list of rejection reasons. It does tell you to confirm you meet every requirement before you reapply. In practice, the rejections we see map to those requirements:

Your first calls after approval

List the accounts your OAuth user can see, then the reviews of one location. Replace ACCESS_TOKEN, ACCOUNT_ID and LOCATION_ID.

# 1. Accounts (Account Management API v1)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  "https://mybusinessaccountmanagement.googleapis.com/v1/accounts"

# 2. Reviews of one location (Google My Business API v4)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  "https://mybusiness.googleapis.com/v4/accounts/ACCOUNT_ID/locations/LOCATION_ID/reviews?pageSize=50"

// Node 18+
const token = process.env.GOOGLE_ACCESS_TOKEN;
const base = "https://mybusiness.googleapis.com/v4";

async function listReviews(accountId, locationId) {
  let pageToken = "";
  const reviews = [];
  do {
    const url = `${base}/accounts/${accountId}/locations/${locationId}/reviews?pageSize=50${pageToken ? `&pageToken=${pageToken}` : ""}`;
    const res = await fetch(url, { headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${token}` } });
    if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${await res.text()}`);
    const data = await res.json();
    reviews.push(...(data.reviews ?? []));
    pageToken = data.nextPageToken ?? "";
  } while (pageToken);
  return reviews;
}

# Python 3
import os, requests

TOKEN = os.environ["GOOGLE_ACCESS_TOKEN"]
BASE = "https://mybusiness.googleapis.com/v4"

def list_reviews(account_id, location_id):
    reviews, page_token = [], None
    while True:
        params = {"pageSize": 50}
        if page_token:
            params["pageToken"] = page_token
        r = requests.get(f"{BASE}/accounts/{account_id}/locations/{location_id}/reviews",
                         headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {TOKEN}"}, params=params)
        r.raise_for_status()
        data = r.json()
        reviews += data.get("reviews", [])
        page_token = data.get("nextPageToken")
        if not page_token:
            return reviews

pageSize is capped at 50 per page. The response also includes averageRating and totalReviewCount.

Common errors after approval

• Quota still 0 after the approval email. Check you’re looking at the same project number you submitted.
• 400 on locations.list. The Business Information API requires a readMask parameter, for example readMask=name,title.
• 429 Too Many Requests. You hit 300 QPM or the 10 edits per minute per profile limit. See how to raise your quota and avoid 429 errors.
• Refresh tokens dying after a week. OAuth apps left in “Testing” status get short-lived refresh tokens . Publish the consent screen before going live.
• Sensitive scope review. business.manage may require Google’s OAuth app verification for external users .
• Reply rejected for Workspace accounts. Replying needs a Google Workspace admin to enable Google Search and/or Maps along with Business Profile.

FAQ

How long does Google Business Profile API approval take?

Google says requests are reviewed within 14 days. You’re approved when the quota in the Cloud console moves from 0 to 300 QPM.

Is the Google Business Profile API free?

Google doesn’t charge per call for the Business Profile APIs . The real cost is the approval wait, the default quota and the engineering time for OAuth, token refresh and rate limiting.

Can I read reviews of other businesses with it?

No. You can only query profiles you have owner or manager access to. For third-party places, the Places API returns a maximum of 5 reviews per place.

What does 0 QPM mean?

Your project isn’t approved yet. Don’t request a quota increase. Submit the Application for Basic API Access.

Can I reapply after a rejection?

Yes. Go through the checklist above first: 60+ days verified, website on the listing, owner or manager email on the business domain, correct project number.

Do I need a separate approval for each client?

No. Approval is per Cloud project. Each client then grants your app access through OAuth, or adds you as a manager. Google recommends partners add themselves as manager, not owner.

curl "https://api.prismareviews.com/v1/reviews?location_id=loc_123&platform=google&since=2026-10-01" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $PRISMA_API_KEY"