# Keyword Search Volume & CPC — Google Ads Data (BYO key) (`lizaraco/keyword-metrics`) Actor Real Google keyword metrics — monthly search volume, CPC, competition, and 12-month trend — normalized for SEO tools and AI agents. Bring your own DataForSEO key: you pay wholesale for raw data, we charge only a tiny convenience fee. Pairs with our Google Trends actor. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lizaraco/keyword-metrics.md - **Developed by:** [Shawn Downs](https://apify.com/lizaraco) (community) - **Categories:** SEO tools, AI, Automation - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $1.00 / 1,000 keywords This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Keyword Search Volume & CPC — Google Ads Data (bring your own key) Get **real Google keyword metrics** — monthly search volume, cost-per-click, competition, and a 12-month trend — in one clean, agent-ready call. Built for SEO tooling, content planning, and AI agents doing keyword research. Pairs naturally with our [Google Trends actor](https://apify.com/lizaraco/scrape-google-trends) (trend *shape* → this actor's hard *numbers*). ### Bring your own key — you control the cost This actor is **bring-your-own-key**: you supply your own [DataForSEO](https://dataforseo.com) login, and **you pay DataForSEO directly** for the raw data at their wholesale rates. This actor never uses anyone else's key and never marks up your data cost — you're only charged a tiny per-result convenience fee for the normalization and agent-ready output. - **Free to test:** flip on `useSandbox` to hit DataForSEO's sandbox (sample data, no charge to your balance) and confirm your wiring before spending a cent. - **Legitimate data:** DataForSEO licenses Google Ads keyword data — no Keyword Planner scraping, no Ads-login ToS violations, nothing that breaks next week. ### Modes - **`volume`** — pass exact keywords, get search volume / CPC / competition / trend for each. - **`suggestions`** — pass seed keywords, get related keywords (each with its own metrics), capped by `maxSuggestions` per seed. ### Output (per keyword) `keyword, search_volume, cpc, competition, competition_index, low_top_bid, high_top_bid, monthly_trend[{ym, volume}], location, language` (suggestions mode adds `seed`). ### Setup 1. Create a DataForSEO account (free sandbox available). 2. Put your login in `dataForSeoLogin` and API password in `dataForSeoPassword` (stored encrypted). 3. Set `location` / `language` (defaults: United States / English) and run. Missing or invalid credentials never crash the run — you get a clear note back and nothing is charged. ### Pricing Pay per keyword returned (`volume`) or per seed expanded (`suggestions`) — pay-per-event. Your DataForSEO data cost is separate and billed by them. # Actor input Schema ## `mode` (type: `string`): volume: metrics for the exact keywords you pass. suggestions: expand each keyword into related keywords with their own metrics. ## `keywords` (type: `array`): In 'volume' mode: the exact keywords to look up. In 'suggestions' mode: seed keywords to expand. ## `dataForSeoLogin` (type: `string`): Your DataForSEO account login. You pay DataForSEO directly for raw data — this actor never uses our key. Get one free (sandbox) at dataforseo.com. ## `dataForSeoPassword` (type: `string`): Your DataForSEO API password — OR the 'Base64 Format' token from DataForSEO's API Access page (the value with the copy button). Either one works. Stored encrypted. ## `location` (type: `string`): Location name (e.g. 'United States', 'United Kingdom', 'Canada'). ## `language` (type: `string`): Language name (e.g. 'English', 'Spanish'). ## `maxSuggestions` (type: `integer`): Suggestions mode only: cap related keywords returned per seed. ## `useSandbox` (type: `boolean`): Route to DataForSEO's free sandbox (sample data, no charge to your DataForSEO balance) to test wiring before spending. ## Actor input object example ```json { "mode": "volume", "keywords": [ "running shoes", "trail running shoes" ], "location": "United States", "language": "English", "maxSuggestions": 100, "useSandbox": false } ```` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "keywords": [ "running shoes", "trail running shoes" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lizaraco/keyword-metrics").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "keywords": [ "running shoes", "trail running shoes", ] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lizaraco/keyword-metrics").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "keywords": [ "running shoes", "trail running shoes" ] }' | apify call lizaraco/keyword-metrics --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lizaraco/keyword-metrics", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Keyword Search Volume & CPC — Google Ads Data (BYO key)", "description": "Real Google keyword metrics — monthly search volume, CPC, competition, and 12-month trend — normalized for SEO tools and AI agents. Bring your own DataForSEO key: you pay wholesale for raw data, we charge only a tiny convenience fee. Pairs with our Google Trends actor.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "QdFuGu30n8apFavAl" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lizaraco~keyword-metrics/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lizaraco-keyword-metrics", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lizaraco~keyword-metrics/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lizaraco-keyword-metrics", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lizaraco~keyword-metrics/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lizaraco-keyword-metrics", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "mode": { "title": "Mode", "enum": [ "volume", "suggestions" ], "type": "string", "description": "volume: metrics for the exact keywords you pass. suggestions: expand each keyword into related keywords with their own metrics.", "default": "volume" }, "keywords": { "title": "Keywords", "type": "array", "description": "In 'volume' mode: the exact keywords to look up. In 'suggestions' mode: seed keywords to expand.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "dataForSeoLogin": { "title": "DataForSEO login (email)", "type": "string", "description": "Your DataForSEO account login. You pay DataForSEO directly for raw data — this actor never uses our key. Get one free (sandbox) at dataforseo.com." }, "dataForSeoPassword": { "title": "DataForSEO password / API key", "type": "string", "description": "Your DataForSEO API password — OR the 'Base64 Format' token from DataForSEO's API Access page (the value with the copy button). Either one works. Stored encrypted." }, "location": { "title": "Location", "type": "string", "description": "Location name (e.g. 'United States', 'United Kingdom', 'Canada').", "default": "United States" }, "language": { "title": "Language", "type": "string", "description": "Language name (e.g. 'English', 'Spanish').", "default": "English" }, "maxSuggestions": { "title": "Max suggestions per seed", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Suggestions mode only: cap related keywords returned per seed.", "default": 100 }, "useSandbox": { "title": "Use DataForSEO sandbox", "type": "boolean", "description": "Route to DataForSEO's free sandbox (sample data, no charge to your DataForSEO balance) to test wiring before spending.", "default": false } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```