Visualization Library

AI-generated Key Takeaways

• The Maps JavaScript API offers a visualization library with a HeatmapLayer class for visualizing data intensity at geographical points.

• You can find a practical example of using the HeatmapLayer in the earthquake mapping tutorial, which demonstrates plotting earthquake locations and intensity.

• To utilize the visualization library's functionalities, load it separately using the libraries parameter in the Maps JavaScript API bootstrap URL, specifying visualization as the desired library.

Deprecated: The Heatmap Layer functionality in the Maps JavaScript API will no longer be supported. This API was deprecated in May 2025 and will be made unavailable in a later version of the Maps JavaScript API, releasing in May 2026. As a replacement for the Heatmap Layer, consider using third-party library integrations like deck.gl, which offers a HeatmapLayer implementation. You can find more information in the deck.gl documentation.

Overview

The Maps JavaScript API uses libraries to provide supplemental features. The visualization library includes the HeatmapLayer class, which you can use to visualize data intensity at geographical points.

For example, the earthquake mapping tutorial uses the HeatMapLayer class to plot earthquake locations and intensity, and walks you step by step through the code.

Use the library

The visualization library is a self-contained library, separate from the main Maps JavaScript API code. To use the functionality contained within this library, you must first load it using the libraries parameter in the Maps JavaScript API bootstrap URL:

<script async
    src="https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?key=YOUR_API_KEY&loading=async&libraries=visualization&callback=initMap">
</script>