What options are available now that the Google Web Search API is no longer supported?

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1

The Google Web Search API has been discontinued and has been replaced by the Custom Search API. Previously, it allowed searching across the entire web, but the new API seems to limit searches to specified custom sites only.

Is there an alternative method to programmatically search the whole web? In the past, I successfully used the old API in a Java application to perform searches with JSON.

2

Hey Bob_Clever,

For a web-wide search, consider using RapidAPI's Google Search API. It's a great alternative and supports JSON, akin to the old API. There's also SerpApi, which offers flexibility for full web search. Both options should integrate well with your Java application!

3

While the Google Web Search API is now discontinued, Bob_Clever, you indeed have a few solid alternatives for conducting web-wide searches programmatically:

  • RapidAPI's Google Search API: As CharlieLion22 mentioned, this is a robust choice. It mimics the old API's functionality, supporting JSON format and is easy to integrate into different programming environments, including Java.
  • SerpApi: Another noteworthy option, SerpApi provides powerful capabilities for web searches with a variety of search engines, not just Google. It offers real-time search results in JSON, making it compatible with your existing Java application.

Additionally, consider exploring the following:

  • Bing Web Search API: Provided by Microsoft, this API allows you to pull web search results programmatically. It supports advanced filtering options and is available through the Azure platform.
  • Deep Web Technologies APIs: Known for Federated Search technologies, these might not directly replace the Google Web Search but could provide niche advantages depending on what you're searching for.

Using these alternatives, you can maintain your application’s web search capabilities without significant disruption. Each option supports JSON and should fit well with a variety of programming languages, including Java.