Google Address Validation API

A business should always pay attention to the minute details of the address. A slight misspelling or missing information can lead to delays or misdeliveries. A bad address can also lead to financial complications like chargebacks and canceled orders. Utilizing an address validation API like the one offered by Google can prove beneficial in ensuring address accuracy. While highly competent, Google Address Validation API has limitations that necessitate alternatives.

In this blog, we will discuss the address validation basics and then move to Google Address API for Validation, its functionality, and how to use it. We will also talk about its shortcomings that demand an alternative and the key considerations that will help your search.

Key Takeaways

• Addresses might seem straightforward but overlooking them while mailing can result in your package getting into the wrong hands.
• Address validation API checks the address and standardizes them at the point of entry, reducing errors and minimizing the cost addicted to misdeliveries.
• Google address validation API validates the address components to ensure the accuracy and validity of data.
• To use Google Address Validation API, you need to create a project, enable the API, and create an API key. You can also restrict the API key to prevent misuse.
• While Google API for address validation offers benefits, the shortcoming tends to outweigh the advantages. It does not validate sub-details, generates false positives, and the parsing is inconsistent.
• PostGrid address validation API validates addresses on a premise level and provides accurate information for both domestic and international addresses.

It is an address validation API launched under Google Maps. It identifies and validates address components per the United States Postal Service standard. You can also find the latitudes and longitudes with its Geocoding API and leverage the auto-complete feature for comprehensive address validation. Additionally, Google Address API for address validation also informs whether the address mentioned in the mail is residential or commercial through its Residential Delivery Indicator (RDI).

Parse

The Google API for address validation breaks down the address into different components like street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code. This helps in identifying errors and ambiguities, thus enhancing address accuracy.

Correct

Once parsed, the Google Address Validation API runs component-level validation checks on details like administrative area, sub-locality, city, etc. It proceeds by trying to guess the parts of the address that are missing or incorrect. This is done by referencing the details with the local and national databases to ensure address correctness.

Validate

After attempts to infer the missing details, the Google API for address validation runs the address components against the postal standards for validation.

Enrich

The Google Address API for address validation will add geocodes and any other additional information that will be provided by the original data source.

Autocomplete

You can pair the Google Address API for address validation with the Place Autocomplete API. It will offer address suggestions as the user types in the location. This will speed up the address entry process and reduce the possibility of typos and other errors.

Let us take an example of an eCommerce website whose checkout form is integrated with Google API for address validation. Below is a typical checkout form that customers use to fill in their details. Take, for instance, the user added “1800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC.”

The application will send this address to the Google API for address validation as input.

The Google Address Validation API will check the address and return complete information. It will also inform if any information is missing.

Depending on what the Google API for address validation returns, the eCommerce website can either present a recommended address or ask the customer to fill in the missing details.

Create a Project

To use Google Maps Platform products like Google Address API for address validation

and manage service, credentials, and API, you need a project. Create a new project with the steps mentioned below.

In the Google Cloud dashboard, click on Create a new project. You will have to fill in the following fields.

1. Project name: You can either go with the recommended name or add your own.
2. Project ID: You can use the default ID or customize one. Keep in mind that you can not change the project ID throughout the lifetime of the project. Make sure not to add any sensitive information.
3. Location: You can link your project to an organization or a location. Click Browse and select an organization. If you don’t want to add any organization, click on “No organization”.
4. Billing account: You need a billing account associated with a project to use the Google address validation API. Only the Billing Account Administrator or Project Billing Manager can connect a billing account to a project.

Activate Google Address Validation API

1. Set up a Google Cloud account, if you don’t have one.
2. In the Google Cloud Platform dashboard, choose a project and then click on Menu. If you don’t have a project, you can create one using the steps mentioned above.
3. You can find Google Maps in the menu. From there, select APIs. You might have to fill in the billing information and answer a few questions before moving on to the next steps.
4. Once you are done with adding billing affirmation, head over to the dashboard and select Google Address Validation API.
5. In the API overview page, click on Enable.

Set up a Google Address Validation API Key

1. Navigate to Google Clouds Platforms.
2. Head over to the Credentials page.
3. Click Create Credential- API Keys. Your new API key will appear in the dialogue box. You can find it listed on the Credentials page under the API keys.

Restrict the API Key

Limiting the API key access can prevent your data from unauthorized access and misuse. To restrict an API key in the Google Maps Platform, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Navigate to the Credentials page.
2. Pick the API key that you want to control access for. The key properties will appear there.
3. Under key restrictions, click on the Restrict key and select Address Validation API from the Choose API dropdown. In case the API is not listed, you will have to first enable it.
4. Add the API key with every Address validation request. Keep in mind that you need HTTPS for every request that uses an API key for secure transmission of data. Through encryption, it will maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the data shared between client and server.

You can try the demo to see how Google API for address validation works.

Financial Service Companies

Banks, insurance companies, etc can leverage the Google Address Validation API data at the time of creating an account or offering financial services like loans. The address validation will establish the legitimacy of the account holders. Additionally, by checking that the mentioned address is valid, financial organizations can identify and flag any fraudulent accounts. This can prevent them from financial losses associated with identity theft or fraud.

Retail and Ecommerce

Through integration, Google Address Validation API can offer customers real-time address validation when they are adding the shipping information. Shoppers will be able to fix any errors or fill in complete details in case of missing information.

The Google API for address validation can also help prevent a retail business’s image from damaging.

It will ensure that the correct address is added before finalizing the orders.  This will eliminate the possibility of misdeliveries and returns. Failed deliveries frustrate customers and they might cancel the order. Google Address Validation API will ensure customer satisfaction with timely and correct deliveries.

Transport and Logistics

When logistics companies receive orders, they can use the Google Address Validation API to check whether or not the address is deliverable. It will also display data about any incorrect or missing information. The company can use this information to take the right action against the possible delivery challenges.

Healthcare

Google Address API for address validation helps healthcare facilities ensure accurate patient addresses during registration, This reduces miscommunication and ensures timely delivery of medical records and prescriptions. It can also help in preventing fraud during insurance claims, ensuring it is directed toward the correct providers. Moreover, a validated and standardized address will ensure that the emergency services are sent to the correct address.

Real-Estate

Validating and standardizing addresses using Google API for address validation during property listing can help enhance searchability and attract potential buyers or renters. At the time of property appraisals, the accurate address will assist in assessment, reflecting the true value of the location and the property, Moreover, real estate agents can improve the effectiveness of their outreach campaigns by ensuring that the marketing material reaches the right audience.

Travel and Hospitality

Google API for address validation will help validate guest addresses during booking and prevent any miscommunication or delivery issues at the time of sending confirmation and itineraries.By validating addresses for pick-up and drop service, hotels can ensure efficient travel management and enhance customer satisfaction. Moreover, hotels can use valid address data to send targeted marketing campaigns and promotional offers.

Insurance

Confirming the validity of the address will speed up the insurance claim processing and ensure the money reaches the right recipients at the right time. Google API for address validation will also prevent the possibility of fraudulent applications. Furthermore, accurate address can help with property risk assessment which will assist in better underwriting decisions.

Government and Public Service

Validating addresses with Google Address Validation API will enhance the accuracy of data and assist in efficient resource allocation and planning. It will also ensure that the right resident receives mail, packages, and utilities.  An accurate and up-to-date voter’s address will assist in an effective election process and also prevent fraud.

Education

A validated address will help create correct bus routes and pick-up and drop services, to enhance safety. Moreover, during grant distribution, a valid address generated from Google API for address validation will ensure that the funds reach the intended individual.

Pros

Saves Money

There are a lot of costs involved with sending the package. It includes money spent on packaging, shipping, and labor. Moreover, when the package must be re-routed or returned to the sender, USPS charges a fee. With Google Address Validation API. you can ensure that the intended recipients receive the package, thus saving money.

Reduces Friction at Checkout for Ecommerce Businesses

Google Address Validation API when coupled with Places Autocomplete API can help streamline the process of entering and confirming shipping information.  When customers begin to type the address, the API will provide real-time suggestions. This will speed up the data entry and minimize the possibility of typographical errors.

An accurate and correctly formatted address at the onset will reduce the need for additional customer interaction to correct the address. This seamless experience helps with customer retention as complicated and lengthy checkout processes are one of the most common reasons for cart abandonment.

Moreover, Google API for address validation will help determine the shipping cost and delivery estimates. This enhances transparency between the business and the customers.

Protects Against Fraud

When enabled, Google Address Validation API can run the addresses against the USPS database. This will help identify any discrepancy that might indicate fraudulent activity. This is particularly helpful in eCommerce business and financial services, where fraudulent applications or transactions can lead to significant financial loss. Validating addresses can help the organization take proactive measures such as additional verification or rejecting the transaction altogether.

Resident Delivery Indicator (RDI)

Google Address Validation API comes with a residential delivery indicator. This means it can identify whether the address is residential or commercial. This can significantly impact the shipping cost. Moreover. having a clear indicator can help businesses tailor their services to the customers. For example, they can adjust their delivery window and offer evening or weekend deliveries. Additionally, it helps them stay compliant with the standards and regulations of residential addresses, preventing fines and service disruption.

Cons

No Premise Level Data

Premise-level data is necessary for effective logistics, and delivery and to enhance customer services. However, Google Address Validation API only validates data up to a certain level. Take, for instance, we entered Central Park’s address and it returned the following information. While it confirms the address up to the sub-locality and administrative level, it is not sure about the street and the route number.

Let us assume you run an e-commerce store for clothes. You will need the precise address for shipping. Your ability to timely deliver the products at the correct address can impact customer experience. Relying on Google Address Validation API in such a situation can cause misrouted packages and even non-delivery, frustrating customers.

False Positive Address

It is the address that has been incorrectly identified during the address validation process. In its attempt to provide a match for every query, Google Address Validation API returns wrong addresses as a match to the user’s input. This can lead to misrouting of the packages and upset customers.

Take, for instance, 123 East I am Nice Street New Jersey is a non-existing address. However, Google Address Validation API returned suggestions as if it was a misspelling.

Source: Google Address Validation API

No Consistent Parsing

Address parsing is an integral component of an address validation API. This implies that a poor parsing capability can render the whole tool useless. Take, for instance, other validation APIs will label street components as suffixes and names like street name and number. However, Google Address Validation API labels it under “Route”. This can mislead shipping and increase the cost.

Conflicting RDI Data

Consistent RDI data is necessary to ensure that the package reaches its intended recipient with appropriate shipping charges. However, the RDI data provided by Google Address Validation API is sometimes contradictory. The misdelivery or failed delivery could damage the company’s reputation and reduce customer’s trust.

Bulk Validation Requires Custom Coding

Google Address Validation API is suited for use in the case of single-entry forms. However, when you have to request validation for bulk addresses, you will have to write custom codes. It will then serve as a channel to send, receive, and organize the single address requests. Creating custom codes makes the Google API for address validation tool time and resource-intensive.

Limiting Data Usage Terms

Google API  for address validation policy does not allow pre-fetching, storing, indexing, or caching content. It will significantly hinder a business’s efficiency as they will have to re-enter the same data, every month for repeat customers. Moreover, it will eliminate the ability to understand and track customer’s data. Additionally, the Google Address Validation API also prevents the collection and storage of location-related data of the customers.

Source: Google Policies

Source: Google Service Terms

As you can see in the image above, with exceptions for downstream transactions, you can not cache any data.

Restricted International Address Verification

With Google API  for address validation, you can only verify addresses for 39 countries (as per the latest data ).

Not Compliant With General Data Protection Regulation

Being a US-based company, Google products and services including the Google Address Validation API are not compliant with GDPR. This can be a concerning matter for companies that have offices internationally and have to process personal identification information of people living in the European Union. Businesses that use Google API for address validation of international data can not guarantee their customers that their data will be collected, processed, and stored in a secure environment. Moreover, it can expose the business to legal risk, fines, and potential reputation damage.

Restrictive Storage and Caching Rules

Google API  for address validation only allows a maximum of 30 days for caching, storing, and indexing data obtained from the process. This can be problematic for businesses who intend to use the address data for more than that. Businesses such as eCommerce and logistics have to maintain updated address information for a longer period, especially for repeat customers or long-term clients.

The limit mandates periodic revalidation. Businesses will have to implement processes and systems to validate the address, every month or frequently. Aside from additional operational and development costs, it would involve scheduling automated queries to API every month. This will increase the Google Address Validation API usage and subsequently the cost.

Autocomplete Gives Invalid Suggestions

The Place Autocomplete API has been in use for a decade before the launch of the Google Address API for address validation. The suggestions it offers come from non-validated, crowd-sourced data sources. You can not rely on autocomplete suggestions. Moreover, Google also enforces the address validation API to correct mistakes made by the autocomplete API. This means you will have to make multiple API calls for a single address. This will add friction to the form and increase the possibility of data entry errors.

Slow Processing

Google Address API for address validation can only validate 100 queries per second. It will take over 4 weeks to validate all the addresses in the US, even if it runs a full capacity, 24/7.

Terms of Use Restrictions

Aside from the data caching restrictions mentioned above, Google Address Validation API has an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. One restriction is that the data generated from the Google API  for address validation can not be used for analysis. Almost every business relies on insights for data-driven decision-making. If an organization can not analyze the data, it will struggle to decide on resource allocation, targeting, and marketing strategies. This can lead to missed opportunities.

Moreover, understanding where the customer lives and how they interact with the business can help craft tailored services. This inability to analyze data will restrict and incapacitate the business from enhancing customer experience.

The difference in the pros and cons listed above mandates a Google Address Validation API alternative. However, the search can easily become daunting if you don’t know what to look for. We have listed a few considerations that will help you make an informed decision.

Data Accuracy

They should have a proven track record of providing accurate, complete, and properly formatted data per the local, and national postal standards. Accuracy is critical in address validation to prevent misdelivery and delays.

Geographic Coverage

Check whether the API validates only national addresses or offers global coverage. Your choice will depend upon the region from where you operate or the area where your target audience resides.

Smooth Integration

It should integrate with your system without any hiccups. A seamless integration ensures that the API will easily fetch the details from the files and speedily validate the addresses.

Range of Features

̧Your goal is to ensure the mail reaches its intended destination. When you are trying to determine the address accuracy, you don’t just validate. You verify as well.

Address validation and verification are two different concepts. An address will be considered valid if it is accurate, complete, and standardized per the postal standards. But to ensure your address is verified, you need to check whether it exists or not. We would suggest you look for a comprehensive address verification API that can verify, validate, standardize, and autocomplete addresses.

A proficient API will also offer address cleansing. It involves parsing and standardizing the address to ensure it is accurate and complete.

Another feature to keep in mind is geocoding. It is the process that converts physical addresses into coordinates. An API that provides details of the latitude and longitude will help the package reach the exact address, enabling delivery efficiency.

Standard and Certification

The API service provider should be able to justify its source of address verification, validation, standardization, and autocompletion. A reliable address validation API will have access to the USPS records to ensure the address and up to date. This can be ensured by checking whether or not they run the address through National Change of Address. It is a database created by USPS that keeps a tab on changes of address requests made by individuals, families, and businesses.

Another thing to look for is a Coding Accuracy Support System certificate. This USPS certification indicates that the tool has passed the quality control protocol for standardization and validation of the address.

Data Protection

Make sure that the API provider can provide proof of how they keep the data safe. It should have published policies ensuring that the data will never be sold, shared, or misused. You can also ask the provider to sign a non-disclosure agreement that will act as insurance and safeguard your data.

Fixing Typos and Spelling Mistakes

Check whether or not the technology implemented by the service provider is smart enough to detect and fix typos and spelling mistakes.

Scalability

The API should be able to individual and bulk validation requests with equal ease. You should consider your business growth potential and opt for an API that will scale as your business expands.

Pricing

Some providers charge on usage, while others offer a subscription plan. Choose the one that best aligns with budget and usage patterns.

 Also Read: What is Delivery Point Validation in Address Validator

Instead of using Google Address Validation API and worrying about slow speed, non-compliance, and invalid auto-complete suggestions, you can switch to PostGrid. It offers an all-encompassing address verification solution that verifies, validates, and standardizes data according to postal standards. By validating addresses at the point of entry, we ensure that you have a clean database.

With our thorough parsing of the address elements, you can enhance address validation and correct any error in real time. Moreover, our autocomplete feature speeds up data entry and minimizes the chances of entering wrong addresses.

Whether you want to validate the address for a street or a building, our API will provide high-quality information down to the sub-details.

If you want to validate a single address or in bulk, PostGrid validation API allows validation of over 1 million addresses at lightning-fast speed.

We are CASS (USPS) certified. We validate every data by checking with the USPS database. The addresses will match the USPS standards. Moreover, to ensure that the address is up-to-date, we cross-reference with the database of National Change of Address. With PostGrid validation API, you get accurate and current address information.

Our API is compliant with all leading standards such as SOC-II, HIPAA, and GDPR. Every address will be validated keeping the standards and protocols in mind to ensure privacy and confidentiality of the person’s sensitive information. Moreover, with our international address validation feature, you can validate addresses for more than 245 countries.

Address validation ensures that the data is accurate and correctly formatted. This prevents costly mistakes associated with misdeliveries and returned mail. Google Address Validation API parses and standardizes addresses and compares them to official databases to determine if they are real or not. However, it has many shortcomings. It is slow and generates inconsistent output. Moreover, it does not allow data caching and analysis.

You can use PostGrid address validation API which validates multiple addresses in one go. With us, you get accurate, up-to-date, and standardized addresses. Want to know how we work? Request a demo now.