Advanced Params

search_and_geocode_tool: Narrow generic searches

When to use:

• Generic query that could match multiple categories
• Want to focus search within category
• User specifies type implicitly

category_search_tool: Use poi_category_exclusions instead

When to use:

• Broad category but want to exclude subcategories
• “Restaurants but not fast food”

ETA Parameters (search_and_geocode_tool)

Request estimated time of arrival to results

Parameters:

• eta_type: Set to "navigation"
• navigation_profile: "driving" | "walking" | "cycling"
• origin: Starting coordinates

Use when:

• User asks “how long to get there?”
• Sorting by travel time, not distance
• Need route time, not straight-line distance

Example:

Returns: Results with eta (travel time in seconds)

Warning: Requires routing calculation per result (counts toward API quota)

When NOT to use:

• Just need straight-line distance (use distance_tool offline after search)
• Budget-conscious (adds API cost)

format Parameter (category_search_tool)

Choose output format:

Example:

formatted_text:

json_string:

Decision:

• Showing list to user -> formatted_text
• Plotting on map -> json_string (parse and use coordinates)
• Further processing -> json_string

language Parameter

ISO language codes (e.g., “en”, “es”, “fr”, “de”, “ja”, “zh”)

Use when:

• Building multilingual app
• User’s language preference known
• Need localized names

Example:

Default: English (if not specified)

Tip: Match user’s locale for best experience