Looking for the official Google Trends API? There isn’t one.
In fact, most services claiming to offer a “Google Trends API” are simply scraping data from Google Trends and creating their own API.
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:
Using these APIs often results in:
API calls failing without explanation
Missing, incomplete, or even inaccurate data
Hitting third-party API rate limits (429 errors)
Inconsistent or unexpected results
Server instability
To make it worse, most of these APIs lack official documentation and support since they aren’t officially affiliated with Google.
So which are the best options to get Google Trends data via API?
Alternatives to Google Trends API
1. Glimpse API
Glimpse is a Chrome extension that enhances Google Trends data with absolute search volume numbers, advanced tracking, trend discovery, and more.
Glimpse also offers an enterprise API solution that is used by 38% of the Fortune 50 for its accurate and reliable Google Trends data.
Unlike a third-party scraper, we manage own API so you always receive accurate data, as well as hands-on support whenever you need it.
Glimpse API use cases:
Automate: Instead of manually searching and saving data, use the Glimpse API to pull insights 24/7.
Custom dashboards: Build out internal tools for your needs and feed it with a stream of up-to-date Google Trends data.
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 API pricing information here.
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 requires constant bot 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.
Ethical Concerns: While not outright illegal, scraping can breach Google’s terms of service when used for profit.
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.
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:
Keyword research: Track interest over time for search terms in bulk to help plan content calendars and craft SEO strategies.
Product trends: Find trending products as soon as they take off to get a first-mover advantage.
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?
But if it’s so valuable, then why doesn’t Google offer an official API?
Control: Google likely wants to maintain control over how Google Trends data is used.
Expensive: Managing an API has costs, and Google likely doesn’t see enough incentive to offer an API for a free tool like Google Trends.
Maintenance: Google Trends normalizes data with complex calculations, so an API would need a lot of time and resources to maintain.
Other options: Google already has a huge portfolio of profitable products and services, so offering a Google Trends API likely just isn’t very high on their list of priorities.
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 free Google Trends API?
No, there is no official free or paid Google Trends API. The most reliable and accurate solution for pulling Google Trends data is the Glimpse API.
Is there a Python Google Trends API?
Yes, there is an unofficial, open-source tool called PyTrends which uses Python to provide a "simple interface for automating downloading of reports from Google Trends."
However, it is "only good until Google changes their backend again." As the author writes, this approach is unreliable due to Google's frequent updates to their algorithm.
If you want a more reliable API solution, try the Glimpse API.
Is there a JavaScript Google Trends API?
Yes, there is an unofficial, open-source tool called google-trends-api which uses JavaScript to automate pulling data from Google Trends. However, it has not been updated since 2020, and is likely not working anymore.
If you want to use an unofficial, open-source tool, try using PyTrends instead.
Is there a Java Google Trends API?
Yes, there is an unofficial, open-source tool called j-google-trends-api which uses Java to provide an interface to interact with Google Trends data. However, it has not been updated since 2014, and is likely not working anymore.
If you want to use an unofficial, open-source tool, try using PyTrends instead.
Is there an R Google Trends API?
Yes, there is an unofficial, open-source tool called gtrendsR which uses R to provide an interface to interact with Google Trends. It supports trends (number of hits), time series data, geographic data, and related queries.