SERPApi
SERP DataReal-time search engine results API for developers
Overview
SERPApi is the infrastructure layer that powers dozens of SEO tools you already use. Founded in 2018, this Austin-based company provides real-time search engine result page data through a REST API that handles the messy work of scraping Google, Bing, and 30+ other search engines. While you might not interact with SERPApi directly, it's likely feeding data to your rank tracker, competitive intelligence tool, or custom SEO dashboard.
The company positioned itself as the developer-friendly alternative to building in-house SERP scrapers. Instead of managing proxy rotations, CAPTCHA solving, and parser maintenance, SEO tool builders can focus on analysis and user experience while SERPApi handles the data collection. This approach has made it essential infrastructure for agencies building custom reporting dashboards and startups launching SEO tools.
What sets SERPApi apart from competitors like DataForSEO is speed and reliability. Where DataForSEO excels at bulk historical data, SERPApi specializes in real-time results with sub-5-second response times. This makes it ideal for live rank tracking and monitoring applications where fresh data matters more than historical depth.
Key features
Multi-Engine Support
Scrapes Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Yandex, and 30+ other search engines with consistent JSON responses.
Real-Time Results
Returns fresh SERP data in seconds, not cached results, with location-specific targeting for accurate ranking data.
Rich Result Parsing
Extracts featured snippets, knowledge panels, local packs, shopping results, and other SERP features with structured data.
Global Location Support
Access results from 200+ countries and thousands of cities for accurate local SEO and international ranking tracking.
Developer-First Design
RESTful API with comprehensive documentation, SDKs for Python, Ruby, PHP, Node.js, and webhook support.
CAPTCHA Handling
Automatically solves CAPTCHAs and handles rate limiting to maintain consistent data flow for high-volume applications.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 100 searches/month, Google only, basic support |
| Developer | $50/mo | 5,000 searches/month, all engines, email support |
| Production | $125/mo | 15,000 searches/month, priority support, webhooks |
| Enterprise | $250/mo | 50,000 searches/month, custom integrations, dedicated support |
| Custom | Contact sales | Volume pricing, white-label options, SLA guarantees |
FAQ
How accurate is SERPApi compared to manual searches?
SERPApi provides identical results to manual searches since it uses real browsers and IP addresses. The main difference is speed and scale—you get the same data in seconds that would take manual verification.
What's the difference between SERPApi and DataForSEO?
SERPApi focuses on real-time results with better CAPTCHA handling, while DataForSEO offers lower pricing for bulk historical data. SERPApi is better for live monitoring, DataForSEO for research projects.
Can I track rankings for specific locations with SERPApi?
Yes, SERPApi supports location targeting down to city level across 200+ countries. You can specify coordinates, zip codes, or city names for accurate local ranking data.
How does SERPApi handle Google's anti-scraping measures?
SERPApi uses distributed proxy networks, real residential IPs, and browser automation to avoid detection. They handle CAPTCHAs, rate limiting, and IP rotation automatically.
Is there a rate limit on API calls?
Rate limits depend on your plan—typically 100-200 requests per minute. Enterprise plans offer higher limits and custom arrangements for high-volume users.
Review Sentiment
52 reviews across 1 source
Bottom line
SERPApi's free tier lets you evaluate real-time SERP scraping API with structured JSON output before committing to paid plans from $50/mo. Its 4.6/5 from 52 users is well-earned — the main caveat is paid plans starting at $50/mo can be expensive for high-volume SERP monitoring.
People love
- +Real-time SERP scraping API with structured JSON output for Google, Bing, and YouTube
- +Handles captchas, proxies, and rendering automatically — no infrastructure management needed
- +Free tier includes 100 searches/month — enough for prototyping custom SEO tools
Common complaints
- –Paid plans starting at $50/mo can be expensive for high-volume SERP monitoring
- –Rate limits on lower plans restrict real-time tracking use cases
- –Primarily an API — requires development resources to build useful dashboards or tools
Last updated Feb 2026