Google Reviews Integration Plugin

Introduction

The Google Reviews Integration plugin allows you to display Google Maps reviews directly on your listing detail pages. This helps build trust, improve credibility, and give visitors real social proof from Google.

The plugin pulls official data from Google Places API (New) and shows a limited set of reviews along with key business information, fully integrated into your eDirectory site.

What This Plugin Does

When enabled, the plugin displays up to 5 Google reviews on the listing detail page, including:

• ⭐ Average rating

  👥 Total number of reviews

  🔗 Link to the business page on Google Maps

  🌍 Language and region support, based on your site’s locale

  🔄 Sorting option for visitors:

  • Most relevant
  • Most recent

Fallback behavior

If Google’s API does not return reviews (due to restrictions, permissions, or missing data), the plugin will still display:

• The average rating
• The total number of reviews

• The Google Maps link

  (Reviews themselves will not appear.)

Requirements

Before using this plugin, you must have:

• A Google Cloud Platform (GCP) account
• Billing enabled on your GCP project (required by Google)
• A Google Places API (New) key
• Access to your eDirectory admin panel (sitemgr)

How to Configure the Plugin

Step 1: Create a Google Places API Key

1. Go to the Google Cloud Platform's API Console.
2. Create or select an existing project.

3. Enable Billing for the project: to enable billing for your project, refer to this article: How to Enable Billing

4. Navigate to Library

5. Search for Places API (New) and click on it.

6. Click to enable it

7. Now, navigate to APIs & Services by accessing this link: Google Cloud Platform's API Console.
8. Click on the "Credentials" option

9. Click on Create Credentials and then on Create an API Key

Step 2: Restrict the API Key (Mandatory)

To prevent unauthorized use and unexpected costs, you must restrict your API key.

Restrict by IP address

1. Name your API key "Google reviews", for example.
2. Select the option "IP addresses (web servers, cron jobs, etc.)"
3. Add the IP address(es) of the server where your eDirectory runs

⚠️ Without IP restriction, third parties could use your key, generating unwanted requests and charges.

Recommended additional restriction

• Under API restrictions, allow only Places API (New)
• Click on "Create"

• After clicking on "Create", the API key will be displayed, click in the option to copy it.

Step 3: Add the API Key to eDirectory

1. Log in to your site manager (sitemgr)
2. Navigate to Settings > General Settings> Plugins tab

3. Find the Google Reviews plugin settings and paste the copied API key in the Google Reviews field.

4. Save your changes
5. Navigatye to Content > Listings > Listing templates
6. Choose a template to edit.

7. Click to add a widget and add the Google Reviews widget to your template.

8. Save Changes

9. After setting it up, the reviews will display on the listings.

Google API Costs: What You Need to Know

Google charges per API request, based on usage and requested data. With this plugin, the following calls usually occur:

A) Text Search (to find the Place ID)

• Endpoint: places:searchText    
• Typical tier (SKU): Text Search Pro
• Used to locate the business based on name and address

B) Place Details (to fetch reviews and data)

• Endpoint: /v1/places/{placeId}    

  When reviews are requested:

  • Tier (SKU): Place Details Enterprise + Atmosphere
• This is the highest cost part of the integration

C) Fallback (without reviews)

If reviews cannot be retrieved:

• Tier (SKU): Place Details Enterprise
• Only rating and review count are fetched

📌 Practical summary

A listing page with reviews enabled typically triggers:

• 1 × Text Search Pro request
• 1 × Place Details Enterprise + Atmosphere request

Most of the cost comes from Place Details with reviews.

Where to check pricing

Google pricing varies by region and usage volume. For up-to-date pricing, consult the Google Maps Platform Pricing page and look for:

• Places API – Text Search Pro
• Places API – Place Details Enterprise
• Places API – Place Details Enterprise + Atmosphere

Best Practices to Reduce Costs

• 🔐 Always restrict your API key by IP
• 🏠 Ensure listings have complete and accurate addresses
• 📊 Monitor usage in GCP → Billing → Reports
• 🚨 Set up billing alerts and budgets in Google Cloud

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the plugin show all Google reviews?

No. The Google Places API returns up to 5 reviews only. Displaying all reviews usually requires Google Business Profile access.

Does this work in mobile apps?

No. This plugin applies only to the website, not to mobile applications.

Why don’t some listings show reviews?

Possible reasons include:

• The business cannot be found (incomplete title or address)
• The business has no public Google reviews
• API key restrictions or missing permissions
• Billing not enabled on Google Cloud
• API quotas or limits reached

Conclusion

The Google Reviews Integration plugin is a powerful way to enhance your listings with trusted, real-time Google review data. With proper configuration and API key restrictions, it provides great value while keeping costs under control.

If you need help setting up your API key, server IP restrictions, or widget placement, our support team is happy to assist.