Looking for the official Google Trends API? There isn’t one (but don't worry, we've listed the best alternative APIs below).

In fact, most services claiming to offer a “Google Trends API” are simply scraping data from Google Trends.

But why is this a problem? 

Because most 3rd-party “Google Trends APIs” are notoriously unreliable. Just take a look at a few of the issues faced by these “Google Trends API” users on GitHub:  

github google trends api issues

Using these APIs often results in: 

  • Missing, incomplete, and often inaccurate data

  • API calls failing without explanation

  • Inconsistent or unexpected results

So which are the best options to get Google Trends data via API? 

Alternatives to the Google Trends API

1. Glimpse API

The Glimpse API is the best way to access Google Trends data programmatically. It's an enterprise solution used by 38% of the Fortune 50 for its accurate and reliable Google Trends data, including Google Trends data enriched with absolute search volume numbers.

Unlike third-party scrapers, we manage own API so you always receive accurate data. Here's what the difference can look like:

google trends api accuracy comparison

Glimpse API use cases: 

  • Custom dashboards: Build out internal tools for your needs and feed it with a stream of up-to-date Google Trends data. 

  • Automate: Instead of manually searching and saving Google Trends data, use the Glimpse API to pull insights 24/7. 

  • Bulk downloads: Have a massive list of keywords you want data on? Use the Glimpse API to pull it all and stay on top of them with daily updates. 

Check out the documentation for the Glimpse API or get pricing information.

2. Third-Party APIs

Some tools claim to act as an “Unofficial Google Trends API,” but they do this by scraping data as opposed to accessing it via an actual API. 

One well-known example is PyTrends, an open-source Python library that “allows a simple interface for automating downloading of reports from Google Trends.” But there’s a catch: you’re not accessing any official Google Trends API, because it doesn’t exist.

Instead, the tool uses scripts to connect to Google, construct a request, retrieve data, and format it. 

While these scraper APIs can work, they come with some challenges:

  • Error-Prone: Since these tools aren’t affiliated with Google, they are, as PyTrends puts it, “only good until Google changes their backend again”. 

  • Resource Intensive: Scraping often requires constant activity to pull data, which can lead to poor performance. 

  • Inconsistent Data: Since scrapers rely on a range of different methods, they often provide missing, incomplete, or inaccurate data.

In short, while third-party scraper APIs like PyTrends can provide access to Google Trends data, they come with a range of issues you should be ready to manage if you choose to use them. 

Learn about the best Pytrends alternatives here.

Google Trends API use cases

Once you do get access to Google Trends data via API, there are countless ways to use it in your own application or workflow, including:

  1. Keyword research: Track interest over time for search terms in bulk to help plan content calendars and craft SEO strategies. 

  2. Product trends: Find trending products as soon as they take off to get a first-mover advantage. 

  3. Trading & investing: Use real-time search data to inform trading decisions and gain a competitive edge. 

And that’s just the beginning. 

Why isn't there an official Google Trends API?

So if Google Trends data is so valuable, then why doesn’t Google offer an official API? 

  1. Other priorities: Google already has a huge portfolio of very profitable products and services, so offering a Google Trends API likely just isn’t very high on their list of priorities.

  2. Control: Google likely wants to maintain control over how Google Trends data is used. 

  3. Expensive: Managing an API has costs, and Google likely doesn’t see enough incentive to offer an API for a tool like Google Trends.

  4. Maintenance: Google Trends normalizes data with complex calculations, so an API would need a lot of time and resources to maintain, not to mention support infrastructure.

Conclusion

In summary, there’s no official Google Trends API, only different kinds of workarounds. 

Of these options, Glimpse stands out with an API that’s trusted by top companies worldwide to reliably pull accurate insights from Google Trends.

FAQ

Is there a Python Google Trends API?

Yes, Glimpse's API supports Python.

If you want more options, there's also an unofficial, open-source Python Package called PyTrends which lets users automate Google Trends queries.

However, as the author puts it, it's "only good until Google changes their backend again." Their approach is unreliable given that Google's regular updates frequently break it. If you want a more reliable API solution, try Glimpse's solution mentioned above.

Is there a JavaScript Google Trends API?

The API from Glimpse supports JavaScript.

If you're looking for something open-source though, have a look at google-trends-api which uses JavaScript to automate pulling data from Google Trends. However, it hasn't been updated since 2020, and as of writing this article, doesn't seem to be very stable anymore.

Is there a Java Google Trends API?

Yes, there is an unofficial, open-source tool called j-google-trends-api which lets users interact with Google Trends data via Java. However, it hasn't been updated since 2014, and likely isn't working anymore. We recommend looking at the other options on this list.

Is there an R Google Trends API?

Yes, there's an unofficial, open-source tool called gtrendsR.

Is there a PHP Google Trends API?

Yes, there's an unofficial, open-source tool called g-trends.

Is there a free Google Trends API?

No, there's no official free or even paid Google Trends API. The best substitute is the Glimpse API which provides Google Trends data enriched with absolute volume.