Search and geocoding
Geocoding turns a place name or address into a location on a map. MapHub uses it in two places:
- Search box — the search in the top-left corner of the map.
- Spreadsheet import — when you upload a file with addresses. See XLSX / CSV import.
Providers
| Provider | Notes |
|---|---|
| Free | Always available. Good for basic searches. |
| Open Data | Better results. Available on all plans. |
| Commercial | Best results. Available on Hobbyist, Business, and Enterprise plans. Spreadsheet imports always use Commercial. |
What your plan includes
| Plan | Editor search | Visitor search | Spreadsheet import |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Open Data, Free | Disabled | No |
| Hobbyist | Commercial, Open Data, Free | Free only | Yes (Commercial) |
| Business | Commercial, Open Data, Free | Commercial, Open Data, Free | Yes (Commercial) |
| Enterprise | Commercial, Open Data, Free | Commercial, Open Data, Free | Yes (Commercial) |
Available providers also depend on which ones are configured for your deployment. Open Data and Commercial searches require remaining credits. Free search does not.
Choosing a provider
Switch temporarily
Use the provider selector in the top-left search field. This changes the provider only for the currently open page. Reloading the page restores your saved default. It does not change your account preference.
Save your default
In the right sidebar, open Map → Visitor view → Search (or Map → Search on private maps). Choose a provider under While editing.
This applies immediately and saves your personal default for future sessions and other maps you edit, wherever that provider is available. Each collaborator has their own default.
A few things to note:
- Saving a default requires a paid-plan map. Free-plan maps show an upgrade prompt instead.
- Free search is available in the temporary selector but not as a saved default.
- This sidebar control is only shown on desktop when editing a saved map.
Without a saved default, Free, Hobbyist, and Business maps use Open Data. Enterprise maps use Commercial when configured. If the preferred provider isn’t available for a given map, MapHub falls back to another available provider.
For visitors
Same sidebar panel. Choose a provider or turn visitor search off. Check Also show in embeds for embedded maps. Only Business and Enterprise plans can enable paid visitor search; Free plans cannot enable visitor search at all.
This is a per-map setting controlled by the map owner — it does not change your personal editing default.
Spreadsheet imports
Neither choice above affects spreadsheet address imports. Those always use Commercial geocoding regardless of your search preference.
Credits
Your plan includes monthly geocoding credits in three separate pools:
| Credit pool | What uses it |
|---|---|
| Open Data | Open Data searches while editing or by visitors |
| Commercial editor | Commercial searches while editing and spreadsheet address imports |
| Commercial visitor | Commercial searches by visitors, including embeds |
Credits are charged to the map owner — this includes searches by collaborators and visitors.
Credits reset on the 1st of each calendar month at 00:00 UTC, regardless of your subscription renewal date.
Check your usage under Settings → Billing & plans. See the pricing page for current credit amounts.
Out of credits?
- Search box: Switch temporarily to Open Data or Free from the top-left search field. You can also save a different default from the sidebar. Free search does not use monthly credits.
- Spreadsheet import: Imports always use Commercial credits. Rows that can’t be located go to Unlocated Items — place them manually or retry after the monthly reset.
- Coordinates: Importing latitude/longitude columns never uses credits.