Google Custom Search JSON API Status 2026: Closed. The Best Google Custom
Search API Alternative
Google closed the Custom Search JSON API to new signups. Searlo is the drop-in replacement: full Google search results, no domain restrictions, 9x cheaper, and ready for AI agents.
Migrate in under 10 minutes. No credit card required to start.
Official Google Notice
From developers.google.com:
“Note: The Custom Search JSON API is closed to new customers. Vertex AI Search is a favorable alternative for searching up to 50 domains.”
Vertex AI Search requires a full Google Cloud setup and enterprise pricing. Searlo is the affordable, developer-friendly alternative.
Why Searlo is the Best Google CSE Replacement
Everything Google Custom Search couldn't do — and the full Google index too
Google CSE is Closed — You Have No Choice
Google officially closed the Custom Search JSON API to new customers. Existing users have a 100 queries/day free cap and expensive $5/1K billing. Searlo is the direct replacement that actually works.
Search All of Google, Not Just Your Domains
Google CSE only returns results from domains you pre-configure. Searlo searches the full Google index — every website, every result — exactly like a user would see on google.com.
9x Cheaper at Paid Tier
Google charges $5 per 1,000 queries. Searlo charges $0.58. For a mid-size app running 500K queries/month, that's $2,210 saved every month.
5–10x Faster
Google CSE returns results in 100–500ms. Searlo's edge infrastructure delivers real-time SERP data in under sub-second globally — critical for responsive user interfaces.
AI-Ready from Day One
Searlo includes TOON format (63% fewer LLM tokens), MCP protocol for Claude/Cursor, and native LangChain/LlamaIndex integrations. Google CSE has no AI-native features.
Migrate in Under 10 Minutes
Searlo uses a simple REST API with a single Authorization header — no complex GCP service accounts, no domain verification, no Programmable Search Engine UI setup required.
Searlo vs Google Custom Search JSON API
Full feature comparison
| Feature | Searlo | Google CSE |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Open to all | Closed to new customers |
| Free Tier | 3,000 queries/month | 100 queries/day (cap) |
| Paid Pricing | $0.58/1,000 queries | $5.00/1,000 queries |
| Average Latency | avg ~300ms | 100–500ms |
| Domain Restrictions | None — search all of Google | Custom domains only |
| Web Search (all Google) | ||
| Image Search | Limited | |
| News Search | ||
| Shopping Results | ||
| Maps / Local | ||
| Featured Snippets | ||
| AI Overview / SGE | ||
| Knowledge Graph | ||
| TOON Format (AI token savings) | ||
| MCP Protocol Support | ||
| LangChain / LlamaIndex | ||
| Rate Limit | 300 req/min | 100 queries/day free |
| 99.99% Uptime SLA | No SLA |
Migrate from Google CSE in 10 Minutes
Replace two complex config values with one Authorization header
// Requires: GCP project, Custom Search Engine ID, // API key from Google Cloud Console const res = await fetch( 'https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1' + '?key=YOUR_GCP_API_KEY' + '&cx=YOUR_CSE_ID' // must pre-configure domains + '&q=best+search+API', ); // ? Only returns results from whitelisted domains // ? 100 queries/day free, $5/1K paid // ? New signups CLOSED
// Just one API key, no GCP setup required
const res = await fetch(
'https://api.searlo.tech/v1/search/web'
+ '?q=best+search+API',
{
headers: {
'Authorization': `Bearer ${SEARLO_KEY}`
}
}
);
// ? Full Google index, no domain restrictions
// ? 3,000 free/month, $0.58/1K paid
// ? Open to everyone, MCP + TOON includedMigration Steps
Create Free Account
Sign up at dashboard.searlo.tech in 30 seconds. No credit card, no GCP project, no domain configuration.
Get Your API Key
Generate an API key from your dashboard. One key works for all search types — web, images, news, shopping.
Update Your Code
Change the endpoint URL and replace your GCP key + CSE ID with a single Bearer token. Done.
Pricing — No Surprise Bills
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google Custom Search JSON API closed?
Yes. Google officially closed the Custom Search JSON API to new customers. As of 2025, new sign-ups are no longer accepted. Google recommends Vertex AI Search as a paid enterprise alternative, but Searlo is the most affordable drop-in replacement for developers.
What is the best Google Custom Search API alternative in 2026?
Searlo is the best Google Custom Search API alternative in 2026. It offers real Google search results (not domain-restricted), sub-second latency, $0.58/1K pricing (vs Google's $5/1K), a 3,000 query/month free tier, MCP protocol, and TOON format for AI applications.
How is Searlo different from Google Custom Search?
Unlike Google CSE which is restricted to pre-configured domains and has a 100 queries/day free limit, Searlo searches the full Google index with no domain restrictions, 3,000 free queries/month, and 9x cheaper paid rates. It also supports AI-native features like MCP protocol and TOON format.
How long does it take to migrate from Google Custom Search to Searlo?
Most developers migrate in under 10 minutes. Instead of Google's service account JSON key and custom search engine ID, you simply add a Bearer token Authorization header and change the endpoint URL. No UI configuration, no domain whitelisting required.
Does Searlo work with LangChain and AI agents?
Yes. Searlo has native LangChain and LlamaIndex integrations, an MCP protocol server for Claude and Cursor, and TOON format that reduces LLM token consumption by 63%. Google Custom Search has no equivalent AI-native features.
Also Compare Searlo With
Don't let a closed API block your project
Searlo is open to everyone, free to start, and covers everything Google CSE did — plus the full Google index, AI-native features, and 9x lower pricing.
Get Your Free API Key3,000 free queries/month — no credit card needed