Google Geocode API only USA results - geocoding

Question

I'm using the simple URL that Google provides for zip code lookup.
http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=90210&sensor=true
This URL will return results for the whole world but how do I limit those to just the USA? I looked it up but can't find anything. I'd hate to code more than necessary to make sure there are not any US addresses when there might be a way to add to the URL and get the:
{
"results" : [],
"status" : "ZERO_RESULTS"
}
This is what the API returns if there are no results at all. Much easier.

Answer 1

You could use the component filtering and use the country and the postal_code components
http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?sensor=true&components=country:US|postal_code:90210

Answer 2

Perhaps Google had a glitch when you tried the link you provided in your question. I just tried it and it worked fine:
{
"results" : [
{
"address_components" : [
{
"long_name" : "90210",
"short_name" : "90210",
"types" : [ "postal_code" ]
},
{
"long_name" : "Beverly Hills",
"short_name" : "Beverly Hills",
"types" : [ "locality", "political" ]
},
{
"long_name" : "Los Angeles County",
"short_name" : "Los Angeles County",
"types" : [ "administrative_area_level_2", "political" ]
},
{
"long_name" : "California",
"short_name" : "CA",
"types" : [ "administrative_area_level_1", "political" ]
},
{
"long_name" : "United States",
"short_name" : "US",
"types" : [ "country", "political" ]
}
],
"formatted_address" : "Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA",
"geometry" : {
"bounds" : {
"northeast" : {
"lat" : 34.1354771,
"lng" : -118.3867129
},
"southwest" : {
"lat" : 34.065094,
"lng" : -118.4423781
}
},
"location" : {
"lat" : 34.1030032,
"lng" : -118.4104684
},
"location_type" : "APPROXIMATE",
"viewport" : {
"northeast" : {
"lat" : 34.1354771,
"lng" : -118.3867129
},
"southwest" : {
"lat" : 34.065094,
"lng" : -118.4423781
}
}
},
"types" : [ "postal_code" ]
}
],
"status" : "OK"
}