Google Custom Search JSON API is closed to new customers
Google Custom Search JSON API: pricing, shutdown date and an alternative
Google's Custom Search JSON API costs $5 per 1,000 queries after 100 free a day, and stops at 10,000 a day. It is closed to new customers, and existing customers have until January 1, 2027 to move off it. Searlo returns full Google results as JSON from $0.30 per 1,000 searches, open to anyone, and its drop-in endpoint takes the same request and answers in the same JSON, so you move by changing the host and the key.
Searlo
$0.30
per 1,000 queries
Google Custom Search
$5.00
per 1,000 queries
How much does the Google Search API cost in 2026?
Google's Custom Search JSON API costs $5 per 1,000 queries after 100 free queries a day, up to 10,000 queries a day, with no larger plan. It is closed to new customers and is discontinued on January 1, 2027, so that price only applies to existing customers until then.
Google suggests Vertex AI Search for searching up to 50 domains, and asks teams that need full web search to contact it. Searlo searches the full Google index from $0.30 per 1,000, with 3,000 free credits.
- Free tier
- 100 queries per day— developers.google.com
- Paid rate
- $5.00 per 1,000 queries— developers.google.com
- Daily ceiling
- 10,000 queries per day, no larger plan— developers.google.com
- Availability
- Closed to new customers— developers.google.com
- Shutdown
- January 1, 2027, for existing customers— developers.google.com
- Google's suggested alternative
- Vertex AI Search, for up to 50 domains you configure— developers.google.com
- Searlo, for comparison
- $0.30 per 1,000 on the 250,000-credit pack, full Google index, 3,000 free credits— our pricing
Third-party figures on this page last verified against the sources linked above. Prices change; if you find one of these stale, tell us and we will correct it.
Drop-in replacement: change one line
Keep your code. Change the host from www.googleapis.com to api.searlo.tech and put your Searlo API key where the Google key was. The path, Google's parameter names, the response JSON (kind, queries, searchInformation, items) and the error format stay the same. Google switches the Custom Search JSON API off for existing customers on January 1, 2027.
- curl "https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1?key=$GOOGLE_API_KEY&cx=$CX&q=lectures&num=10"
+ curl "https://api.searlo.tech/customsearch/v1?key=$SEARLO_API_KEY&cx=$CX&q=lectures&num=10" import os, requests
- API_URL = "https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1"
- API_KEY = os.environ["GOOGLE_API_KEY"]
+ API_URL = "https://api.searlo.tech/customsearch/v1"
+ API_KEY = os.environ["SEARLO_API_KEY"]
params = {"key": API_KEY, "cx": CX, "q": "lectures", "num": 10, "start": 1}
data = requests.get(API_URL, params=params, timeout=30).json()
for item in data.get("items", []):
print(item["title"], item["link"])- const API_URL = "https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1";
- const API_KEY = process.env.GOOGLE_API_KEY;
+ const API_URL = "https://api.searlo.tech/customsearch/v1";
+ const API_KEY = process.env.SEARLO_API_KEY;
const params = new URLSearchParams({ key: API_KEY, cx: CX, q: "lectures", num: "10" });
const data = await (await fetch(`${API_URL}?${params}`)).json();
for (const item of data.items ?? []) console.log(item.title, item.link);Parameter compatibility
| Parameter | On Searlo |
|---|---|
| q, num (1-10), start | Supported. Paging stops at the 100th result, as on Google |
| key | Supported: your Searlo API key (also accepted as the x-api-key header) |
| gl, cr, hl, lr | Supported, country and language level. One country and one language per request |
| safe | Supported: active or off |
| dateRestrict | Supported (d, w, m, y). Not with operator parameters or image search |
| siteSearch, siteSearchFilter | Supported: include or exclude a site |
| exactTerms, excludeTerms, orTerms, fileType, hq, lowRange, highRange | Supported, as the search operators Google applies |
| searchType=image, imgSize, imgType, imgColorType, imgDominantColor | Supported |
| fields, prettyPrint, alt=json | Supported |
| cx | Accepted, no effect: Searlo searches the whole web. Restrict results with siteSearch |
| googlehost, quotaUser, userIp | Accepted, no effect |
| filter, c2coff, sort | Accepted at Google's default value (filter=1, c2coff=0, no sort); other values return 400 |
| linkSite, relatedSite, rights, JSONP callback, city-level location | Not supported: 400 in Google's error format |
What the drop-in costs
| Pack | Price | Credits | Custom Search calls | Per 1,000 calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3,000 | 3,000 | Free |
| Micro | $3.99 | 5,000 | 5,000 | $0.80 |
| Starter | $9.99 | 20,000 | 20,000 | $0.50 |
| Builder | $29.99 | 75,000 | 75,000 | $0.40 |
| Scale | $74.99 | 250,000 | 250,000 | $0.30 |
| Pro | $199.99 | 900,000 | 900,000 | $0.22 |
| Enterprise | $799 | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | $0.20 |
| Google Custom Search JSON API (until January 1, 2027) | Per use | — | 100 a day free, then up to 10,000 a day | $5.00 |
Google Search API pricing compared
| Compared | Google Custom Search JSON API | Searlo |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 100 queries a day | 3,000 credits, once at sign-up |
| Price per 1,000 queries | $5.00 | $0.30 |
| Daily limit | 10,000 queries | No 10,000-a-day cap |
| 100,000 queries a month | $485 | $30 |
| 300,000 queries a month (Google's ceiling) | $1,485 | $90 |
| Open to new customers | No | Yes |
| Available after January 1, 2027 | No | Yes |
| What it searches | A Programmable Search Engine you configure | The full Google index, no setup |
When does the Custom Search JSON API shut down?
Google's overview page says existing Custom Search JSON API customers have until January 1, 2027 to transition to an alternative solution, and that its pricing applies only to existing customers until the service is discontinued that day. New customers cannot sign up at all.
The notice on that page reads: “The Custom Search JSON API is closed to new customers. Vertex AI Search is a favorable alternative for searching up to 50 domains. Alternatively, if your use case necessitates full web search, contact us to express your interest in and get more information about our full web search solution.”
Vertex AI Search requires a full Google Cloud setup. Searlo is the open-web option you can sign up for today: the full Google index, no search engine to configure, no domain list.
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 $5/1K billing until January 1, 2027. Searlo is the direct replacement that actually works.
Search All of Google, Not Just Your Domains
A Programmable Search Engine searches what you configure, and Vertex AI Search covers up to 50 domains. Searlo searches the full Google index — every website, every result — as a user would see it on google.com.
16x Cheaper at Paid Tier
Google charges $5 per 1,000 queries. Searlo charges $0.30. At Google's 10,000-a-day ceiling, about 300,000 queries a month, that is $1,485 on Custom Search against $90 on Searlo.
No 10,000-a-Day Ceiling
Google CSE stops at 10,000 queries a day. Every Searlo account, free credits included, gets the same limits, with no 10,000-a-day cap; volumes above 100,000 a day by arrangement.
AI-Ready from Day One
Searlo includes TOON format (63% fewer LLM tokens) and an MCP server for Claude and Cursor, and works with LangChain and LlamaIndex as a tool you define. Google CSE has no AI-native features.
Change the Host and the Key
The drop-in endpoint at /customsearch/v1 takes Custom Search's parameters and answers in its JSON and error format, so existing code keeps working. No GCP project, no domain verification, no Programmable Search Engine to set up. Guides for Python, Node.js, PHP, LangChain, Open WebUI, n8n and WordPress.
Searlo vs Google Custom Search JSON API
| Feature | Searlo | Google CSE |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Open to all | Closed to new customers |
| Custom Search request and response format | Yes, at /customsearch/v1 | Yes |
| Free Tier | 3,000 credits, once at sign-up | 100 queries/day (cap) |
| Paid Pricing | $0.30/1,000 queries | $5.00/1,000 queries |
| Latency | ~1 s median (web search) | Not published |
| Domain Restrictions | None — search all of Google | The engine you configure |
| Image Search | Yes | Yes |
| News Search | Yes | No |
| Shopping Results | Yes | No |
| Maps / Local | Yes | No |
| Organic rank position in every result | Yes | No |
| Result count as a competition indicator (totalResults) | Yes | Approximate |
| TOON Format (AI token savings) | Yes | No |
| MCP Protocol Support | Yes | No |
| Rate Limit | Same on every plan | 100 queries/day free, 10,000/day paid |
Or move to Searlo's native web search API
If you would rather drop the Custom Search format, the native API takes one x-api-key header and returns organic[] with a position on every result. Before, Google Custom Search; after, Searlo:
// 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' // engine set up in the control panel
+ '&q=best+search+API',
);
// - discontinued on 2027-01-01
// - 100 queries/day free, $5/1K paid, 10K/day max
// - closed to new customers// Just one API key, no GCP setup required
const res = await fetch(
'https://api.searlo.tech/api/v1/search/web'
+ '?q=best+search+API',
{
headers: {
'x-api-key': SEARLO_KEY
}
}
);
// - full Google index, no domain restrictions
// - 3,000 free credits at sign-up, from $0.30/1K paid
// - open to everyone, MCP + TOON includedMigration steps
- 01Create an accountSign up at dashboard.searlo.tech in 30 seconds. No credit card, no GCP project, no domain configuration.
- 02Generate an API keyGenerate an API key from your dashboard. One key works for all search types — web, images, news, shopping.
- 03Change the host and the keyPoint your Custom Search calls at https://api.searlo.tech/customsearch/v1 instead of https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1, and put your Searlo key in the key parameter. Parameters, response JSON and error format stay as they are; cx is accepted and has no effect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Google Custom Search JSON API cost in 2026?
The Google Custom Search JSON API costs $5 per 1,000 queries. You get 100 queries per day free, paid usage is capped at 10,000 queries per day, and there is no higher tier to buy — 10k/day is the ceiling. It is also closed to new customers: if you do not already have access you cannot sign up at any price, and existing customers have until January 1, 2027 to move off it. Google's own suggested replacement is Vertex AI Search, which searches up to 50 domains you configure rather than the open web. Searlo is the open-web option — the full Google index, no domain list, $0.30 per 1,000.
Is the Google Custom Search JSON API free?
Only up to 100 search queries per day. Past that it is $5 per 1,000 queries, and paid usage stops at 10,000 queries per day. There is no free tier large enough to run a product on, and no plan above 10k/day to grow into.
When does the Google Custom Search JSON API shut down?
Google's overview page states that existing Custom Search JSON API customers have until January 1, 2027 to transition to an alternative solution, and that the service is discontinued that day. New customers cannot sign up at all — the API is already closed to them.
Is the Google Custom Search JSON API closed?
Yes. Google closed the Custom Search JSON API to new customers, and new sign-ups are not accepted. Google suggests Vertex AI Search for searching up to 50 domains, and asks teams that need full web search to contact it. Searlo is a drop-in replacement for developers that is open today.
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), $0.30/1K pricing (vs Google's $5/1K), 3,000 free credits at sign-up, no 10,000-a-day cap, an MCP server, and TOON format for AI applications.
How is Searlo different from Google Custom Search?
Google Custom Search is closed to new customers, is discontinued on 1 January 2027 and has a 100 queries/day free limit. Searlo returns results from across the web with no domain restrictions, 3,000 free credits at sign-up, and 16x cheaper paid rates. It also supports AI-native features like an MCP server and TOON format.
How long does it take to migrate from Google Custom Search to Searlo?
Usually one line. Change https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1 to https://api.searlo.tech/customsearch/v1 and use your Searlo API key as the key parameter: the parameters, the response JSON and the error format are Custom Search's, so the rest of your code stays. If you prefer Searlo's native format, call https://api.searlo.tech/api/v1/search/web?q= with an x-api-key header instead; results come back as organic[] with a position on every entry.
Is Searlo a drop-in replacement for the Custom Search JSON API?
Yes. /customsearch/v1 answers Google's parameter names (q, num, start, gl, hl, lr, cr, safe, dateRestrict, siteSearch, exactTerms, excludeTerms, orTerms, fileType, searchType=image and the image filters) in the Custom Search JSON shape, including queries.nextPage and Google's error format. A few things differ: cx has no effect, because Searlo searches the whole web rather than an engine's site list (use siteSearch to restrict); location is country level only; and a handful of parameters such as linkSite, rights and sort=date are refused with a 400. Each call costs 1 credit, the same as a web search.
Does Searlo work with LangChain and AI agents?
Yes. Searlo works in LangChain and LlamaIndex as a tool you define over its REST API (there is no package to install), runs an MCP server for Claude and Cursor, and returns TOON, a format that takes about 63% fewer tokens than JSON.
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 16x lower pricing.
3,000 free credits at sign-up — no credit card needed
Related Pages
- Custom Search JSON API migration guides
- Custom Search drop-in docs
- SERP API
- Custom Search JSON API pricing
- Custom Search JSON API shutdown: migration guide
- Google Search API
- Cheapest SERP API
- Search API for AI Agents
- Search API for RAG
- Searlo vs SerpAPI
- Searlo vs Serper
- vs Tavily
- vs SearchAPI.io
- vs DataForSEO
- vs Scrapingdog
- Best SERP APIs in 2026
- Docs
- Pricing