Google has recently announced some changes to their Google Maps API. More specifically they have changed for which functionality in Google Maps they require API keys. This has a profound effect on our Local SEO plugin as that plugin allows you to easily embed maps with directions and/or store locator functionality. Unfortunately, Google made some breaking changes, so we urge you to update to our latest version (v 3.3.1) as soon as possible.

Changes in the Google Maps API

The most important change is that on site that didn’t already use directions or the store locator functionality, it won’t work without an API key. We’ve made a knowledge base article that explains when you need a Google Maps API key, which also explains which API key you need. For most functionality, this means you will need to get a Google Maps JavaScript API browser key.

If you embed maps on your site, through our plugin or another one, you might run into issues where the maps won’t work:

The latest version of our Local SEO plugin allows you to enter that Maps JavaScript API key in the backend and have functional Google Maps once again without changing anything else.

If you have our Local SEO plugin but are not using the maps functionality, you’re really losing out. I would especially encourage you to use the store locator functionality if you have multiple locations.

I don’t know how to get the latest version

This should be as easy as logging in and updating. But we know that this sometimes doesn’t work. If you go to our licenses page, you can enter the email address you bought the plugin with and we’ll send you new download links.

I use another maps plugin and it’s broken!

We can’t really help you there. Except that maybe now is a good time to change your maps plugin to our Local SEO plugin!