REQUEST_DENIED means Google refused the geocoding request, usually because the Geocoding API is not enabled in the Google Cloud project your API key belongs to. GeoDirectory uses geocoding to turn an address into map coordinates, so you can see this error when you search near a place, set an address on the add listing map or import listings from a CSV file.

Depending on where it happens, the error can look like one of these:

• “Search was not successful for the following reason : REQUEST_DENIED” when searching
• “Google geocode failed: REQUEST_DENIED” during a CSV import
• “This API project is not authorized to use this API” in the browser console

Enable the Geocoding API

1. Open the Google Cloud Console and select the project your GeoDirectory API key belongs to.
2. Go to APIs & Services > Library.
3. Search for Geocoding API, open it and click Enable.
4. Reload your site and try the search, address lookup or import again.

The Generate Key button at GeoDirectory > Settings > General creates a key with every API GeoDirectory uses, including Geocoding, so generating a fresh key also works.

If it is already enabled

• Open the key under APIs & Services > Credentials. If it has API restrictions, make sure Geocoding API is in the allowed list.
• Check the project has an active billing account. Google rejects Maps Platform requests from projects without one.
• If the error only happens during imports, the key is probably restricted to HTTP referrers. Imports geocode from your server, which needs a separate geocoding key. Get a Google API Key covers creating keys.

If maps stopped loading entirely, see Maps Have Stopped Working On My Site!.