Clarity on what's affected
Google Site Search was discontinued; the Custom Search JSON API has tight limits. Either way, plan a migration.
Custom Search JSON API Status
Custom Search JSON API closed to new customers?
Confused about whether Google's Custom Search products are still available? Here's what's deprecated, what still works, and how to migrate to a full search API at $0.30 per 1,000 queries.
If you've searched whether the Custom Search JSON API is 'closed to new customers,' the confusion is understandable: Google has retired several search products over the years, and their names overlap. The short version — Google's paid Site Search (the old Google Site Search / GSS) was discontinued years ago, while the Custom Search JSON API tied to Programmable Search Engine has remained available but with tight pricing and a 10,000 queries/day cap.
Either way, developers landing on these searches are usually looking for the same thing: a reliable, well-priced way to get Google search results via API without uncertainty about whether the product will be available or supported tomorrow.
Searlo is that stable path. It is open to new customers today, returns full Google SERP data via a single endpoint, and is priced at $0.30 per 1,000 queries with 3,000 free credits — no Programmable Search Engine setup required.
Open to new customers
Searlo is available to sign up and use today, with no waitlist or legacy restrictions.
Full SERP, one endpoint
Organic, image, news, and shopping results — without configuring a search engine.
Predictable pricing
$0.30 per 1,000 queries with no hard daily cap.
Get started in one request
Migrating is straightforward — replace the Custom Search call with one keyed request:
cURLbash
curl "https://api.searlo.tech/api/v1/search/web?q=how%20to%20migrate%20search%20api&num=10" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"Pythonpython
import requests
r = requests.get(
"https://api.searlo.tech/api/v1/search/web",
params={"q": "how to migrate search api", "num": 10},
headers={"x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY"},
)
results = r.json()["organic"]
for o in results:
print(o["position"], o["domain"], o["title"])Node.jsjavascript
const res = await fetch(
"https://api.searlo.tech/api/v1/search/web?q=" +
encodeURIComponent("how to migrate search api") + "&num=10",
{ headers: { "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY" } },
);
const { organic } = await res.json();
organic.forEach(o =>
console.log(o.position, o.domain, o.title));Searlo vs Google Custom Search JSON API
Why developers migrate rather than wait on product uncertainty.
| Capability | Searlo | Google Custom Search JSON API |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Open to new customers | Limits + product churn |
| Daily cap | No hard cap | 10,000 queries/day |
| Price per 1,000 | $0.30 | $5.00 |
| Search types | Web, image, news, shopping | Basic web only |
| Setup | API key only | Programmable Search Engine config |
Which Google search products were affected
Google Site Search (GSS), the paid version of Custom Search for site owners, was discontinued and is no longer sold. The free Programmable Search Engine and its Custom Search JSON API continued, but with the 100/day free tier, $5-per-1,000 pricing, and 10,000/day cap described on our pricing page.
Because Google has a long track record of sunsetting search-related products, many teams choose to build on a provider whose entire business is search-results delivery, rather than a free utility that could change terms.
- Google Site Search: discontinued
- Custom Search JSON API: available but capped & costly
- Searlo: purpose-built, open, $0.30/1K
- No Programmable Search Engine required
Reasons to migrate now
- Avoid dependence on a product Google may change
- Escape the 10,000 queries/day cap
- Cut search costs from $5/1K to $0.30/1K
- Get full SERP features, not basic results
- Skip Programmable Search Engine configuration
- Start immediately as a new customer
Frequently asked questions
Is the Custom Search JSON API closed to new customers?
The Custom Search JSON API (via Programmable Search Engine) has historically remained available but with a 100/day free tier, $5-per-1,000 pricing, and a 10,000/day cap. Google's paid Site Search product was discontinued. Either way, many developers migrate to a dedicated search API.
What replaced Google Site Search?
Google Site Search was retired without a direct paid replacement. Developers needing search results via API now use the Custom Search JSON API or a third-party search API like Searlo.
Can I still sign up for a search API today?
Yes. Searlo is open to new customers, returns full Google SERP data, and starts at $0.30 per 1,000 queries with 3,000 free credits.
How hard is it to migrate?
Minimal. Replace the Custom Search request with a single keyed GET to Searlo's endpoint; the response includes organic results plus SERP features. See the code above.
Why migrate instead of staying on the free tier?
The free tier is 100 queries/day. Beyond that you pay $5 per 1,000 and hit a 10,000/day ceiling. Searlo removes the cap and costs $0.30 per 1,000.