Google requires a billing account on any project using the Maps APIs, even though normal store locator traffic sits inside their free monthly allowance. No billing account, no map, and this is the error you get.
What causes it
The project the key belongs to has no billing account attached. This is by far the most common one.
The project has a spending limit and has passed it.
The billing account exists but is not in good standing, for example a card that expired.
The key itself is invalid or lacks permission for the API being called.
How to clear it
- Open the Google Billing Accounts page and see whether you have an account you can use.
- If you have none, create one. You will need a name, a country and payment details.
- Open your Google Cloud project and check it is linked to that billing account. If you have several projects, make sure you are looking at the one your key came from.
- Follow the prompts to attach the billing account to the project.
- Reload your store locator page. Changes on Google's side can take a few minutes to show.
If you would rather not set up billing
You do not have to use Google at all. Three of our five map providers, Progus, OpenStreetMap and Apple, need no API key and no billing account. Switch the provider under Settings then Appearance and your map works again immediately, with the Google key left for later or dropped entirely.
Stuck on any of this? Open the chat in the bottom right corner of the app and we will help you set it up.