Is it allowed to cache static google maps?

Question

I'm having some issue with static Google maps generation. The API has "a query limit of 1000 unique (different) image requests per viewer per day. Since this restriction is a quota per viewer, most developers should not need to worry about exceeding their quota".

However when using a shared connection, as instance with a mobile phone and a 3G access (phone operators), this limit seems to be problematic.

Hence my question is the following: can I retrieve the image server-side and serve it to my clients? Is it allowed?

Answer 1

As of Oct 21 2021, both ToS and FAQ are speaking the same language. Storing and serving copies of images generated using the Google Static Maps API from your website is not allowed.

ToS

3.2.3 Restrictions Against Misusing the Services.

(a) No Scraping. Customer will not export, extract, or otherwise scrape Google Maps Content for use outside the Services. For example, Customer will not: (i) pre-fetch, index, store, reshare, or rehost Google Maps Content outside the services; (ii) bulk download Google Maps tiles, Street View images, geocodes, directions, distance matrix results, roads information, places information, elevation values, and time zone details; (iii) copy and save business names, addresses, or user reviews; or (iv) use Google Maps Content with text-to-speech services.

FAQ

Can I generate a map image using the Maps Static API which I store and serve from my website?

You may not store and serve copies of images generated using the Maps Static API from your website. All web pages that require static images must link the src attribute of an HTML img tag or the CSS background-image attribute of an HTML div tag directly to the Maps Static API so that all map images are displayed within the HTML content of the web page and served directly to end users by Google.

Answer 2

Actually, you can. Reference the Google Maps TOS:

3.2.4 Restrictions Against Misusing the Services.

(a) No Scraping. Customer will not extract, export, or scrape Google Maps Content for use outside the Services. For example, Customer will not:(i) pre-fetch, cache, index, or store Google Maps Content for more than 30 days; (ii) bulk download geocodes; or (iii) copy business names, addresses, or user reviews.

(Edit: Updated to reflect the latest terms as of June 2018.)

This is discussed in further detail in the "Sanity Checks" aspect of Google Static Maps Usage Limits.

Answer 3

This FAQ indicates not: Can I generate a map image using the Google Static Maps API which I store and serve from my website?

Text (as of November 2016):

Can I generate a map image using the Google Static Maps API which I store and serve from my website?

You may not store and serve copies of images generated using the Google Static Maps API from your website. All web pages that require static images must link the src attribute of an HTML img tag or the CSS background-image attribute of an HTML div tag directly to the Google Static Maps API so that all map images are displayed within the HTML content of the web page and served directly to end users by Google.

Answer 4

I find the TOS pretty contradictory

Can I generate a map image using the Google Static Maps API which I store and serve from my website?

You may not store and serve copies of images generated using the Google Static Maps API from your website. All web pages that require static map images must link the src attribute of an HTML img tag or the CSS background-image attribute of an HTML div tag directly to the Google Static Maps API so that all map images are displayed within the HTML content of the web page and served directly to end users by Google.

https://developers.google.com/maps/faq?csw=1#usagelimits