Locus product guide · Updated November 10, 2026

Google Search MCP server: options after Custom Search

Google has no official MCP server for web search, and its only general search API, the Custom Search JSON API, is closed to new customers and shuts down for existing ones on January 1, 2027. Most Google search MCP servers call a SERP API instead. SerpApi runs an official remote MCP server at https://mcp.serpapi.com/mcp, with 250 free searches a month and monthly plans after that. DataForSEO also runs one, and Serper sells Google results in prepaid query packs.

Setup, step by step

Step 1
Get a SerpApi key
Sign up at SerpApi. The free plan includes 250 searches a month.
Step 2
Add the SerpApi MCP server to Claude Code
Replace the placeholder with your key. The server exposes search and extract tools.
```
claude mcp add --transport http serpapi https://mcp.serpapi.com/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_SERPAPI_API_KEY"
```
Step 3
Or add the DataForSEO MCP server
DataForSEO uses Basic auth: a Base64 token of your API login and password from its API Access dashboard. In Claude Desktop and ChatGPT you can add https://mcp.dataforseo.com/v3/mcp as a connector and approve access instead.
```
claude mcp add --header "Authorization: Basic your_base64_encoded_token" --transport http dfs-mcp https://mcp.dataforseo.com/v3/mcp
```

Does Google have an official search MCP server or API?

Not for public web search. Google's list of official MCP servers covers Cloud, Workspace, Maps and other products. None of them searches the public web the way google.com does.

The Custom Search JSON API, which searched a Programmable Search Engine, is closed to new customers. Existing customers have until January 1, 2027 to move. Until then it gives 100 free queries a day and bills each query above that, up to 10,000 a day.

Google points site-search users to Vertex AI Search, which covers up to 50 domains. For full web search, it asks you to contact Google.

Google Custom Search API alternatives

Which Google search MCP servers can you use?

The servers worth installing come from SERP API vendors. They run the Google query for you and return structured results.

Most community projects named Google search MCP call a SERP API like these with your own key.
Google's terms forbid automated access that ignores the machine-readable instructions on its pages, such as robots.txt. SERP vendors run the queries, so read their terms and decide your own risk.

Which Google search MCP servers can you use?
Server	Endpoint	Sign-in	What it covers
SerpApi	https://mcp.serpapi.com/mcp	Bearer API key	Google and other engines through search and extract tools
DataForSEO	https://mcp.dataforseo.com/v3/mcp, or npx -y dataforseo-mcp-server	OAuth, a Basic auth header, or login and password variables	SERP plus keyword, backlink, on-page and business data APIs

How do these vendors bill for Google results?

Each vendor has a free tier and its own way to pay past it. Details from each vendor page, checked November 10, 2026.

SerpApi's plans step up from the entry plan to Developer and Production. Only successful searches count.

How do these vendors bill for Google results?
Provider	Free tier	How you pay
SerpApi	250 searches a month	Monthly plans by search volume
Serper	2,500 free queries	Prepaid query packs, valid 6 months, with lower rates on larger packs
Google Custom Search JSON API	100 queries a day, existing customers only	Per query past the free tier, billed in the API Console until January 1, 2027

How do you get Google results through Locus Pro?

Locus Pro puts several Google SERP providers behind one MCP connection and one credit balance, with no account at each vendor. 1,000 credits cost $1. Catalog search and describe are free, and max_credits sets a price ceiling. The table shows live catalog prices on November 10, 2026.

MCP URL: https://api.paywithlocus.com/api/credits/mcp
Or tell your agent: Install Locus Pro by following https://paywithlocus.com/SKILL.md

How do you get Google results through Locus Pro?
Locus endpoint	Source	Price per call	Listing status
dataforseo/serp-google-organic	Google organic results	2 to 14,140 credits; typically 2 ($0.002), billed per 10 results	Known vendor
serper/search	Google results via Serper	2 credits ($0.002), fixed	Not reviewed by Locus
serpapi/search	Google results via SerpApi	15.2 credits ($0.0152), fixed	Not reviewed by Locus
brave/web-search	Brave's own index, not Google	30.3 credits	Known vendor
router/web-search	Several engines, merged and deduplicated	1 to 10.1 credits	Locus router

Which Google search MCP setup should you choose?

Use SerpApi's MCP server if you want an official, hosted server and its many engines, and your volume fits a plan. At steady volume, searches can also cost less with your own SerpApi account and API key. Use DataForSEO's if your agent also does SEO work, such as keyword volumes and backlinks.

Use Locus Pro when the agent needs Google results now and then next to other search engines and data APIs, without a plan at each vendor. Purchased credits do not expire. If you do not strictly need Google, the cross-vendor comparison below covers engines that score well for agents.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Google Custom Search JSON API shut down?

It is closed to new customers. Existing customers can use it until January 1, 2027, with 100 free queries a day and paid queries above that.

Do I need a SerpApi account for the SerpApi MCP server?

Yes. The server takes your SerpApi key as a bearer token, and searches count against your SerpApi plan, starting with 250 free a month.

Why does a Google search through DataForSEO sometimes cost more than 2 credits?

The Locus Pro endpoint is billed per 10 results, so deeper requests cost more. The typical call is 2 credits and the 90th percentile is 72 credits. Set max_credits to cap it.

Is Brave Search a Google search API?

No. Brave runs its own independent index. It is a good choice for general agent search but will not match Google rankings.

Implementation references

Use these first-party references for current request contracts and account requirements. Tool availability, prices, and negotiated terms can change.

Sources

Third-party details were checked on November 10, 2026. Vendors change pricing and features often, so confirm on their site before you decide.