A Google Place ID is the unique identifier Google uses for a specific place — a business, landmark, or address — on Google Maps and in the Google Places database. If you need one for a review link, a store locator, the Places API, or a Google Business Profile integration, this guide shows four free ways to find it in under a minute.
The fastest way: use the free Place ID Finder
The quickest method is our free Google Place ID Finder: start typing a business name or address, pick the matching result, then click the marker to read and copy the Place ID. No API key and no sign-up. If you just need the ID right now, use the tool — the methods below are useful when you want to understand the alternatives or pull IDs at scale.
What is a Google Place ID?
A Place ID is a stable text string — usually starting with ChIJ, for example ChIJN1t_tDeuEmsRUsoyG83frY4 — that points to one exact place. Unlike a name or address, the ID stays the same when a business is renamed or its pin shifts slightly, which is why Google recommends it as the reliable way to reference a location in code, widgets, and integrations.
Method 1 — The Place ID Finder tool (easiest)
- Open the Place ID Finder.
- Type the business name or address in the search box on the map.
- Choose the matching place from the dropdown — a marker drops on it.
- Click the marker and copy the Place ID from the info window.
Method 2 — Google’s official Place ID Finder
Google publishes its own Place ID Finder in the Maps JavaScript API documentation. It works the same way — search, select, read the ID from the info window — and is handy if you are already in the Google developer docs. It is built for developers, so it shows no surrounding guidance, but the result is identical.
Method 3 — From your Google Business Profile listing
If you want the Place ID for a business that appears in Google’s knowledge panel:
- Search Google for the business name plus its city so the listing’s panel appears.
- Right-click the Write a review button and inspect the element.
- Find the
data-pidattribute — the value in quotes is the Place ID.
This is the manual route when you cannot use a tool, but it is slower and error-prone; the finder above is faster for one-off lookups.
Method 4 — From a Maps URL or the Places API
Developers pulling IDs programmatically can call the Places API findplacefromtext or textsearch endpoints, which return the place_id field directly. This is the right approach when you need to resolve many places automatically rather than one at a time.
How to find the Place ID for your own business
Search for your business name and city in the Place ID Finder, select your listing, and copy the ID from the marker. Use it to build a direct “leave us a review” link, connect reputation and marketing tools, or wire your listing into a store locator.
Frequently asked questions
Is finding a Google Place ID free?
Yes. The Place ID Finder is free and needs no Google API key. Google’s own finder and the inspect-element method are free too.
What does a Place ID look like?
Most are a long string beginning with ChIJ, such as ChIJN1t_tDeuEmsRUsoyG83frY4. Some legacy IDs use other prefixes.
Is a Place ID the same as a CID?
No. A CID is an older numeric Google Maps identifier; the Place ID is the current string format used across Google’s APIs. They reference the same place but are not interchangeable in code.
Do Place IDs ever change?
They are designed to be stable, but Google advises refreshing a stored Place ID if it is more than 12 months old, since a small number are retired over time.