Google Maps Place Details API: Place ID, Data ID, URL Lookup, and Missing Fields
Method note: Measurements in this article were run locally against authenticated Serpent API endpoints on August 3, 2026. Sample sizes are stated in the article. Treat the numbers as a dated field check, not a permanent guarantee.
Short answer: a place-details record is a rich business profile, but it is not a fixed spreadsheet row. Store identifiers first, then treat everything else as observed and nullable.
I tested four place detail lookups after two Maps searches on August 3, 2026. All four returned core contact and display fields: name, phone, website, rating, opening hours, and cover image. The right implementation still keeps every non-key field nullable because category and profile completeness vary.
| Business | HTTP | Phone | Website | Hours | Cover image | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Austin Dentist | 200 | yes | yes | yes | yes | 13.5s |
| ATX Family Dental | 200 | yes | yes | yes | yes | 7.8s |
| Time Plumbing, Heating & Electric Denver | 200 | yes | yes | yes | yes | 8.1s |
| Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Electric | 200 | yes | yes | yes | yes | 8.2s |
Identifier Choices
The endpoint accepts exactly one of place_id, data_id, or a Google Maps URL. For a durable database, keep every identifier you receive. Use place_id for API follow-ups when present.
curl --get "https://apiserpent.com/api/maps/place" \
-H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
--data-urlencode "place_id=ChIJ..."Field Storage Pattern
{
"place_id": "ChIJ...",
"data_id": "...",
"maps_url": "https://www.google.com/maps/...",
"name": "South Austin Dentist",
"phone": "...",
"website": "https://...",
"rating": 4.9,
"opening_hours": {},
"cover_image": "https://...",
"nullable_fields_ok": true
}
Primary Sources
FAQ
Which identifier should I store?
Store place_id when available, plus data_id and maps_url if your workflow receives them.
Are place detail fields always present?
No. Treat description, price range, timezone, photos, and some amenities as nullable.
What did the August 2026 sample show?
Four place detail lookups returned name, phone, website, rating, opening hours, and cover image in this local sample.
