To add Google Maps to WordPress without an API key, install the free GeoVerse Maps plugin, insert its block and search for your address. You get a standard embedded Google map — no Google Cloud console and no billing account. It shows one location; add a free API key later for custom markers, styles, search, filters and directions in the same block.
Option 1: the GeoVerse Maps block
- Install and activate GeoVerse Maps.
- Edit a page, click + and search for GeoVerse Maps or map.
- Insert the block and search for your address.
- Set the zoom and the height (separately for desktop, tablet and mobile).
- Publish.
Without a key, the block renders Google's standard embedded map in an iframe with lazy loading, so it doesn't load until a visitor scrolls near it.
Option 2: paste Google's embed code
- Open Google Maps, find your place, click Share → Embed a map and copy the HTML.
- In WordPress, add a Custom HTML block and paste it.
This works, but you edit raw HTML, the height isn't responsive without extra CSS, and there's no upgrade path to markers or filters.
What you get with and without a key
| No key | With an API key | |
|---|---|---|
| One location on a Google map | Yes | Yes |
| Several markers, custom icons | — | Yes |
| Map style presets or your own style JSON | — | Yes |
| Info windows with hours, phone, links | — | Yes |
| Visitor search box | — | Yes |
| Marker categories and filters | — | Yes |
| Directions from the visitor's location | — | Yes |
| Traffic, transit and bicycling layers | — | Yes |
| Marker list view | — | Yes |
All of the right-hand column is free in GeoVerse Maps — it has no paid version. Getting a key takes a few minutes; see how to get a Google Maps API key.
Privacy
Any Google map loads from Google's servers, so the visitor's browser connects to Google, which may set cookies. List Google Maps in your privacy policy. If you run a cookie consent tool, check whether it blocks embeds until consent.
Don't want Google at all?
OpenStreetMap-based plugins such as MapPress and WP Store Locator run without a Google key. We compare them in our round-up of WordPress map plugins.
Next: add a map to your contact page the right way for local SEO.