Bright Data offers two methods for accessing SERP API, both delivering identical results while catering to different customer workflows:

Direct API access (recommended)

A pure REST API method for easy access and straightforward integration.

Native proxy-based access

For workflows that rely on proxy-based routing.

A simple and RESTful way to interact with Bright Data’s SERP API. Direct API access abstracts proxy management and allows you to send requests via a central endpoint, ensuring ease of use and straightforward REST API integration.

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Best for:

  • Centralized endpoint: Access SERP API via a single, RESTful endpoint.

  • Streamlined direct integration: Eliminating the complexity of managing proxies or routing.

  • Single API key authentication: Secure and easy to use, replacing the need for username-password management.

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Sending your first request

After setting up your SERP API zone, you’ll find a working SERP API request example and your API token within your zone’s Overview tab:

The following is an example of a simple SERP API cURL request:

Direct API access - cURL

curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Authorization: Bearer [INSERT_YOUR_API_TOKEN]" -d '{"zone": "[INSERT_YOUR_SERP_API_ZONE_NAME]","url": "[INSERT_YOUR_TARGET_URL]", "format": "raw"}' https://api.brightdata.com/request

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Request breakdown

  1. API Endpoint: https://api.brightdata.com/request

  2. Authorization Header: Authorization: Bearer [INSERT YOUR API TOKEN] - Your API token is found within your SERP API zone.

  3. Payload:

    • zone: Your specific SERP API zone name.

    • url: The full SERP target URL (including SERP query params) that you wish to access via SERP API.

    • format: Defines the response format. Use raw to receive the raw response from the target site.

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Generating your Bright Data API token

A Bright Data API token is your secure authentication token for accessing SERP API via Direct API access. When adding a new SERP API zone in the control panel, an API token will be generated automatically and can be found within the Overview tab of your zone.

To generate a new API key:

  • Navigate to Account settings.

  • Scroll down and click the Add Token button.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

We strongly recommend to have an expiration date set on your token for increased security.
The token will be shown to you on the screen only so make sure you copy and store it in a safe location per your organization’s policies

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Native proxy-based access

In order to access SERP API, you will need to provide credentials which are comprised of:

  1. Your customer ID

  2. Your SERP API zone name

  3. Your SERP API password

  4. Bright Data SSL certificate

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Customer ID

Customer ID can be found in the welcome email you received, or by clicking your account initial letter on the top right screen of your control panel, or by clicking here: Account settings .

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Zone name and password

Your zone name and password can be found in the overview tab of your unlocker zone in the control panel.

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Bright Data SSL Certificate

Prevent SSL errors by setting up Bright Data SSL certificate

SSL Certificate can be found by clicking “SSL certificate” wizard on your zone’s overview top menu. See further instructions here: SSL certificate.

Alternatively, you can ignore SSL errors.

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SERP API: HTTPS Proxy code examples

Once you have your API credentials, use the following code to send your first request:

curl "https://www.google.com/search?q=pizza" --proxy brd.superproxy.io:33335 --proxy-user brd-customer-<customer_id>-zone-<zone_name>:<zone_password> -k

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