# Keyword Research API: search volume, CPC & difficulty

**Use case:** 

Call the keyword research API with a list of keywords and get monthly Google search volume, CPC, competition, keyword difficulty, search intent and 12 months of history as JSON or CSV. Works from Python, JavaScript, n8n, Make or an AI agent (MCP).

## Input

```json
{
  "keywords": [
    "project management software",
    "crm for small business",
    "invoice template"
  ],
  "mode": "volume",
  "country": "US",
  "historyMonths": 12,
  "includeAiSearchVolume": false,
  "maxIdeasPerSeed": 50
}
```

## Output

```json
{
  "keyword": {
    "label": "Keyword",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "found": {
    "label": "Data found",
    "format": "boolean"
  },
  "searchVolume": {
    "label": "Monthly searches",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "cpcUsd": {
    "label": "CPC (USD)",
    "format": "number"
  },
  "competitionLevel": {
    "label": "Competition",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "keywordDifficulty": {
    "label": "Difficulty",
    "format": "integer"
  },
  "searchIntent": {
    "label": "Intent",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "trendYearlyPct": {
    "label": "Yearly trend %",
    "format": "number"
  },
  "serpFeatures": {
    "label": "SERP features",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "country": {
    "label": "Country",
    "format": "string"
  },
  "languageCode": {
    "label": "Language",
    "format": "string"
  }
}
```

## How it works

### 1. Sign up on Apify or log in

The Google Keyword Search Volume Checker & API: Keyword Research Actor is ready to run with the inputs already set for "Keyword Research API: search volume, CPC & difficulty". [Sign up or log in](https://console.apify.com/create-task-from-example/rSLrwVPixf4Pxq4gE) and you'll land in Apify Console with a copy of this exact task.

### 2. Start the "Keyword Research API: search volume, CPC & difficulty" task

The Google Keyword Search Volume Checker & API: Keyword Research Actor will start running based on the input automatically. You can also change all the input fields, like keywords, mode, and more, to match your specific use case.

### 3. Receive the "Keyword Research API: search volume, CPC & difficulty" output

Monitor the progress in real time. You will be notified as soon as your dataset is complete and ready for review. Each result includes data such as keyword, data found, monthly searches, and more.

### 4. Integrate into your workflow

The final output is delivered in JSON, CSV, or Excel format, ready to be plugged into your workflow. You can also [run the "Keyword Research API: search volume, CPC & difficulty" task via API](https://apify.com/plainrows/keyword-search-volume.md).

## About this Actor

This example demonstrates how to use [Google Keyword Search Volume Checker & API: Keyword Research](https://apify.com/plainrows/keyword-search-volume.md) with a specific input configuration. Visit the [Actor detail page](https://apify.com/plainrows/keyword-search-volume.md) to learn more, explore other use cases, and run it yourself.


## How to integrate an Actor?

This Task's input is already configured above. Use it as-is rather than inventing a new one.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For full API examples (JavaScript, Python, CLI, MCP, OpenAPI), see this Task's Actor page: https://apify.com/plainrows/keyword-search-volume.md

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).