How to obtain your own geocoding/mapping key
To get a Google Maps API key:
- Go to https://console.developers.google.com/apis/api/maps_backend/overview and sign in with a valid Google account (or create a new one).
- Click "Create project" and give it any name you want. Agree to Google's Terms & Conditions. You will come to a screen describing the Google Maps JavaScript API. Click the "Enable" button.
- You should get a message that you need to create credentials. Click the "Go to Credentials" button.
- On the "Add credentials to your project" screen, ensure that "Google Maps JavaScript API" is selected from the first menu, and in the "Where will you be calling the API from" menu, choose "Web browser", then click "What credentials do I need?"
- Give the key any name you like. (You can leave the "allowed referers" box blank, but don't give out your key to other people.) Click "Create API key" and your key will appear. It will be 39 characters long and will probably start with 'AI'.
- If you need to retrieve your key again in the future (or create additional keys), just go back to the Google Developers Console and then use the "Credentials" link under "APIs & Services" in the left sidebar.
To get a Bing Maps API key:
- Go to http://www.bingmapsportal.com/, and sign in with your Microsoft account (or create a new account).
- Click on "Create or view keys" in the sidebar.
- Enter your name or company as the Application name, and select "Basic" as your key type and "Public website" as the application type.
- Your new key will appear at the bottom of the "Create or view keys" page; it will be 64 characters long and will probably begin with "A".
To get a MapQuest AppKey:
- Go to http://developer.mapquest.com/.
- Click on the "Create Account" link in the upper-right corner of the page. In the sign-up form, be sure to check the box next to "Would you like to create an App Key?", and agree to the Terms of Use.
- Enter your name, company, or project as the AppKey Name.
- Once you're signed in, click on your username at the top of the page and select "Manage AppKeys" from the submenu to see your key(s).
- Note: You may have to wait up to an hour for the key to be usable.