Setting Up Ninja Geolocation

Introduction

After installing Ninja Geolocation, configure its shared settings and test a simple connected field group before adding validation, routing, nearest-location, or drawing workflows.

Global settings are under Ninja Forms > Settings > Geolocation. Individual forms and fields provide additional options for their own workflows.

Configure the Geolocation Settings

Google API Keys

Enter separate keys for browser and server requests:

• Google Maps Browser API Key: Used on public pages for maps, Places autocomplete, frontend route calculations, Address Validation, and static-map output.
• Google Maps Server API Key: Used privately by WordPress for server-side geocoding and supported Routes API requests.

Use different application restrictions for the two keys. The API-key guide lists the current Google services required by each feature.

Country and Language Defaults

The country and language settings establish site-wide defaults for Google services. When left empty, Ninja Geolocation falls back to the United States and English.

The global country value is a default or geographic bias; it does not guarantee that every result is inside that country. Address Fields can apply their own country restrictions, language, proximity bias, or area bounds.

IP Location

Select an optional IP-location provider for default or fallback detection:

• Disabled
• ipapi.co
• ipinfo.io
• ipregistry

Enter provider credentials when required by the selected service. IP location is approximate, while browser geolocation normally requires HTTPS and the visitor's permission.

Advanced Settings

High Accuracy Location Mode

Requests higher-accuracy browser location data when supported. This can take longer or use more device power.

Disable Google Maps API

Enable this only when another trusted plugin or theme loads a compatible Google Maps JavaScript API with all required libraries. This option disables Ninja Geolocation's API loading on frontend pages; the form builder still loads what it needs.

Disable Advanced Markers

Use standard Google markers when Advanced Markers or the site's Map ID configuration is not suitable. New installations use Advanced Markers by default; upgraded installations retain their established marker behavior.

Configure Form-Level Auto Locator

Each form can request the visitor's location automatically. In the form's advanced settings:

1. Enable Auto Locator.
2. Select one or more Geocoder Fields that should receive the detected location.
3. If a global IP provider is enabled, choose whether IP location is disabled, the default method, or a browser-geolocation fallback.
4. Optionally customize the location-found message and hide the failure message.

Test browser permission and IP-based behavior separately before publishing.

Activate the License

Activate an eligible license using the local license controls or connect the site to your GEO my WP account. License activation provides eligible updates and support. The installed Starter, Pro, or Agency ZIP determines which field implementations are available.

Build a Basic Location Form

1. Create or edit a Ninja Form.
2. Add a Geocoder Field. It works in the background and stores the structured location.
3. Add an Address Field from the Geolocation field group and connect it to the Geocoder.
4. Add a Map Field and connect it to the same Geocoder.
5. Optionally add Coordinates, Locator Button, and Reset Location Button Fields connected to that location group.
6. Save the form and place it on a test page.

Ninja Forms' native Address field does not connect to the Ninja Geolocation system. Use the Address Field supplied in the Geolocation field group.

Test the Setup

1. Open the test page in a private browser window.
2. Type an address and select an autocomplete suggestion.
3. Confirm that the connected Map and Coordinates Fields update.
4. Drag the map marker and confirm that the connected fields react as configured.
5. Test the Locator Button and browser-permission flow.
6. Submit the form and inspect the saved values in WordPress.
7. Check the browser console for blocked APIs, referrer errors, or billing errors.

Troubleshooting

Select the issue below that best matches what you are experiencing.

Helpful Links

• Google Maps API Keys for Ninja Geolocation
• Geolocation Fields Overview
• Geolocation Fields Syncing
• Geocoder Field