Google Maps Search Api Skill

This skill is designed to help users automatically extract business data from Google Maps search results. The Agent should proactively apply this skill when...

Security Scan

The skill is internally consistent: it calls the BrowserAct API to extract Google Maps results and only requires Python and a BrowserAct API key (BROWSERACT_API_KEY).

Purpose & Capability

The skill's name/description match its implementation: the included script makes HTTP requests to api.browseract.com using a BrowserAct workflow template. Requiring python and a BrowserAct API key is coherent with the stated purpose of using a third‑party BrowserAct service to collect Google Maps data.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md instructs the agent to run the provided Python script, monitor stdout, and apply a one-time retry on non-auth errors — which matches the script's behavior. Noteable issues: the README claims the code 'prioritizes command line API key, then environment variable' but the script only reads the BROWSERACT_API_KEY environment variable (it does not accept an API key as a CLI argument). SKILL.md also contains marketing claims (e.g., 'No Captcha Issues', 'No IP Restrictions') that are assertions about BrowserAct capabilities rather than enforced by the skill; these are not technical contradictions but should not be taken as guarantees.

Install Mechanism

There is no install spec — this is instruction-only plus a small Python script. No external downloads or archive extraction are performed by the skill bundle itself, lowering install risk.

Credentials

The only required environment variable is BROWSERACT_API_KEY, which is proportionate to calling the BrowserAct API. No unrelated credentials or system config paths are requested. Minor inconsistency: the SKILL.md and an in-file comment suggest a CLI API key override is possible, but the script does not implement that; the script only checks the environment variable and exits if missing.

Persistence & Privilege

The skill does not request always:true, does not modify other skills or system settings, and does not require persistent/privileged system presence. It will perform network calls to BrowserAct when invoked (normal for this capability).

Assessment

This skill appears to do what it claims: it sends search parameters to BrowserAct (api.browseract.com) and returns results. Before installing or using it: 1) Only provide a BROWSERACT_API_KEY if you trust BrowserAct and understand that queries and returned business data will flow through BrowserAct's service (check their privacy/TOS and costs). 2) The script only reads the API key from the BROWSERACT_API_KEY environment variable (contrary to a comment claiming a CLI-key override); set the env var before running. 3) The SKILL.md contains marketing statements (e.g., no CAPTCHA/IP limits) that are not enforced by this code — verify those claims with BrowserAct if they matter. 4) Consider legal/ToS implications of extracting Google Maps data for your use case. 5) If you do not want the agent to call this skill autonomously, disable autonomous invocation in agent settings (the skill itself does not set always:true). If you want more assurance, review the BrowserAct workflow/template (TEMPLATE_ID) referenced in the script and validate what data is sent to that workflow.

Google Maps Search Automation Skill

📖 Introduction

This skill utilizes the BrowserAct Google Maps Search API template to provide a one-stop business data collection service. It extracts structured business results directly from Google Maps search lists. Simply provide search keywords, language, and country filters to get clean, usable business data.

✨ Features

1. No Hallucinations: Pre-set workflows avoid AI generative hallucinations, ensuring stable and precise data extraction.
2. No Captcha Issues: No need to handle reCAPTCHA or other verification challenges.
3. No IP Restrictions: No need to handle regional IP restrictions or geofencing.
4. Faster Execution: Tasks execute faster compared to pure AI-driven browser automation solutions.
5. Cost-Effective: Significantly lowers data acquisition costs compared to high-token-consuming AI solutions.

🔑 API Key Setup

Before running, check the BROWSERACT_API_KEY environment variable. If not set, do not take other measures; ask and wait for the user to provide it. Agent must inform the user:

"Since you haven't configured the BrowserAct API Key, please visit the BrowserAct Console to get your Key."

🛠️ Input Parameters

When calling the script, the Agent should flexibly configure the following parameters based on user needs:

1. KeyWords

   • Type: string
   • Description: The content you want to search on Google Maps. Can be business names, categories, or specific keywords.
   • Example: coffee shop, dental clinic, coworking space

2. language

   • Type: string
   • Description: Sets the UI language and the language of returned text fields.
   • Common Values: en, de, fr, it, es, ja, zh-CN, zh-TW
   • Default: en

3. country

   • Type: string
   • Description: Sets the country or region bias for search results.
   • Example: us, gb, ca, au, de, fr, jp
   • Default: us

4. max_dates

   • Type: number
   • Description: The maximum number of places to extract from the search results list.
   • Default: 100

🚀 Usage

The Agent should execute the following independent script to achieve "one-line command result":

# Example call
python -u ./scripts/google_maps_search_api.py "search keywords" "language" "country" count

⏳ Execution Monitoring

Since this task involves automated browser operations, it may take some time (several minutes). The script will continuously output status logs with timestamps (e.g., [14:30:05] Task Status: running). Agent Instructions:

• While waiting for the script result, keep monitoring the terminal output.
• As long as the terminal is outputting new status logs, the task is running normally; do not mistake it for a deadlock or unresponsiveness.
• Only if the status remains unchanged for a long time or the script stops outputting without returning a result should you consider triggering the retry mechanism.

📊 Data Output

After successful execution, the script parses and prints results directly from the API response. Fields include:

• name: Business name
• full address: Full address
• rating: Star rating
• review count: Number of reviews
• price range: Price level
• cuisine type: Business category
• amenity tags: Features like Wi-Fi
• review snippet: Short review text
• service options: Service indicators (e.g., "Order online")

⚠️ Error Handling & Retry

If an error occurs during script execution (e.g., network fluctuations or task failure), the Agent should follow this logic:

1. Check Output Content:

   • If the output contains "Invalid authorization", it means the API Key is invalid or expired. Do not retry; guide the user to re-check and provide the correct API Key.
   • If the output does not contain "Invalid authorization" but the task failed (e.g., output starts with Error: or returns empty results), the Agent should automatically try to re-execute the script once.

2. Retry Limit:

   • Automatic retry is limited to one time. If the second attempt fails, stop retrying and report the specific error information to the user.

🌟 Typical Use Cases

1. Local Business Discovery: Find all "Italian restaurants" in Manhattan.
2. Sales Lead Generation: Extract a list of "real estate agencies" in London for prospecting.
3. Competitor Mapping: Locate all "Starbucks" branches in a specific city to map competition.
4. Market Research: Analyze "boutique hotels" in Paris, including their ratings and price ranges.
5. Contact Collection: Gather addresses and names of "dental clinics" in Sydney.
6. Service Search: Find "24-hour pharmacies" or "emergency plumbers" in a certain area.
7. Neighborhood Monitoring: Track new "gyms" or "yoga studios" opening in a community.
8. Structured Data Export: Export structured data of "car dealerships" for CRM integration.
9. Sentiment Analysis Prep: Get review snippets and ratings for "popular tourist attractions".
10. Global Search Localization: Use different language and country settings to research "tech hubs" globally.