How to Export Google Maps Saved Places as GeoJSON: Complete Guide

Are you looking to export your Google Maps saved places as GeoJSON for use in custom mapping applications or data analysis? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from extracting your data from Google to converting it into the versatile GeoJSON format.

What is GeoJSON and Why Use It?

GeoJSON is an open standard format for representing geographical features along with their non-spatial attributes. It's based on JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) and is widely supported by mapping libraries, GIS software, and web applications. GeoJSON is particularly useful for:

• Web mapping applications
• Data visualization tools
• GIS analysis
• Custom map styling
• Sharing location data between different platforms

The Challenge: Google Maps Export Limitations

When exporting your data from Google, you'll quickly discover a significant limitation: Google Takeout doesn't provide the actual geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) for your saved places. Instead, it only gives you the addresses and place names, which aren't directly convertible to GeoJSON format.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Export Your Saved Places from Google Takeout

First, let's get your data out of Google:

1. Go to Google Takeout at takeout.google.com
2. Deselect all options (click "Deselect all" at the top)
3. Scroll down and select only "Saved" - this contains your collections of saved places from Google Maps
4. Click "Next step"
5. Choose "Export once" and set the export format to .zip
6. Click "Create export"
7. Wait for the export to complete (you'll receive an email)
8. Download the ZIP file from your email or the Takeout page
9. Unzip the file and locate the "Saved Places" folder

2. The Geocoding Challenge

At this point, you have your saved places, but they're not in a format that can be converted to GeoJSON. The exported data lacks geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), which are essential for GeoJSON. This is where geocoding comes in – the process of converting addresses into geographic coordinates.

3. Geocoding Options

You have several options for geocoding:

Option 1: Manual Geocoding (Time-Consuming)

You could manually look up each address and find its coordinates, but this is extremely time-consuming if you have more than a few places.

Option 2: Use a Geocoding API

Developers might use Google's Geocoding API or other services, but this requires programming knowledge and potentially API costs.

Option 3: Use Takeout-Tools.com (Recommended)

The simplest solution is to use Takeout-Tools.com, a service specifically designed to solve this problem:

1. Go to takeout-tools.com
2. Upload your exported CSV files from Google Takeout (you can upload multiple at once)
3. If your CSV headers are not in English, please translate them to match the exact column names (case-sensitive) to avoid parsing errors
4. The service automatically geocodes all your saved places
5. Choose GeoJSON as your export format

4. Understanding Your GeoJSON Output

Once you have your GeoJSON file, here's what you can expect:

{
  "type": "FeatureCollection",
  "features": [
    {
      "type": "Feature",
      "properties": {
        "title": "My Favorite Restaurant",
        "description": "Best pasta in town",
        "category": "Want to go"
      },
      "geometry": {
        "type": "Point",
        "coordinates": [longitude, latitude]
      }
    },
    // More features...
  ]
}

Each of your saved places becomes a "Feature" with:

• Properties containing the place name, description, and your custom labels
• Geometry with the exact coordinates

5. Using Your GeoJSON File

Now that you have your data in GeoJSON format, you can:

• Import it into mapping libraries like Leaflet or Mapbox
• Use it with GIS software like QGIS
• Visualize it with data tools like Kepler.gl
• Share it with other developers for custom applications
• Convert it to other formats as needed

Benefits of Using Takeout-Tools.com for GeoJSON Export

• Accurate Geocoding: Ensures your places are positioned correctly on any map
• Preserves Metadata: Keeps all your custom labels, notes, and categories
• Batch Processing: Handles hundreds of places in minutes
• Format Flexibility: Easily convert between GeoJSON, KML, and GPX as needed
• Privacy-Focused: Your data is processed securely and not stored permanently
• Free Tier Available: Process a limited number of places without cost

Conclusion: Unlock the Power of Your Location Data

Exporting your Google Maps saved places as GeoJSON opens up a world of possibilities for developers, data analysts, and mapping enthusiasts. With this versatile format, you can create custom visualizations, perform spatial analysis, and integrate your favorite locations into any GIS or web mapping project.

Don't let Google's export limitations hold you back. With Takeout-Tools.com, you can quickly transform your saved places into properly geocoded GeoJSON files ready for immediate use in your projects.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your location data? Try our free demo and convert your Google Maps saved places to GeoJSON in just a few clicks.

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See Other Export Guides

Need a different format? We've got you covered:

• How to Export Google Maps Saved Places as KML
• How to Export Google Maps Saved Places as GPX