Google Custom Search
Enables search capabilities using a Google Custom Search Engine, allowing users to input a search term and retrieve search result titles, links, and snippets, while facilitating integration with other tools for content extraction and advanced search
What is Google Custom Search?
Google Custom Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to enables search capabilities using a google custom search engine, allowing users to input a search term and retrieve search result titles, links, and snippets, while facilitating integration with other...
Enables search capabilities using a Google Custom Search Engine, allowing users to input a search term and retrieve search result titles, links, and snippets, while facilitating integration with other tools for content extraction and advanced search
This server falls under the Search & Data Extraction category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Enables search capabilities using a Google Custom Search Eng
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx google-custom-search-engine-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Google Custom Search
The Google Custom Search Engine MCP Server connects AI assistants to the Google Programmable Search API, enabling web searches scoped to specific sites or the entire web with controlled result formatting. It exposes a single google_search tool that returns titles, URLs, and snippets for up to 10 results per call. You would use this server when you need reliable, Google-powered search results from within your AI workflow without relying on a third-party search aggregator.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.8 or higher, or uvx/pipx for zero-install execution
- A Google Cloud project with the Custom Search API enabled
- A Google API key (API_KEY) from the Google Cloud Console
- A Google Programmable Search Engine ID (ENGINE_ID) from cse.google.com
- Claude Desktop or another MCP-compatible client
Create a Google Cloud project and enable Custom Search API
Go to console.cloud.google.com, create a new project, navigate to APIs & Services, and enable the 'Custom Search API'. Then create an API key under Credentials.
Create a Programmable Search Engine
Visit cse.google.com/cse/all, create a new search engine, configure it to search the entire web or specific sites, and copy the Search Engine ID shown in the setup panel.
Install the package
Install via pip or use uvx to run without a permanent install. The uvx approach is recommended for keeping your environment clean.
# Option A: install permanently
pip install mcp-google-cse
# Option B: run directly with uvx (no install needed)
uvx mcp-google-cseConfigure your MCP client
Add the server to your Claude Desktop config, passing your API key and Engine ID as environment variables.
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-cse": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-google-cse"],
"env": {
"API_KEY": "your_google_api_key_here",
"ENGINE_ID": "your_search_engine_id_here",
"RESULT_NUM": "10",
"RESULT_LANGUAGE": "lang_en",
"GEOLOCATION": "us"
}
}
}
}Restart Claude Desktop
Quit and reopen Claude Desktop to pick up the new server. The google_search tool should appear in your available tools.
Google Custom Search Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop config using uvx for zero-install execution with required API_KEY and ENGINE_ID environment variables.
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-cse": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-google-cse"],
"env": {
"API_KEY": "your_google_api_key_here",
"ENGINE_ID": "your_search_engine_id_here",
"RESULT_NUM": "10",
"RESULT_LANGUAGE": "lang_en",
"GEOLOCATION": "us"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts that trigger the google_search tool to retrieve structured search results.
- "Search for the latest news on quantum computing breakthroughs"
- "Find the official documentation for Python asyncio"
- "Search for 'best practices for React performance optimization' and summarize the top 3 results"
- "Look up recent research papers on large language model evaluation"Troubleshooting Google Custom Search
API returns 403 Forbidden or 'API key not valid' error
Verify that the Custom Search API is enabled in your Google Cloud project and that the API key has no IP or referrer restrictions blocking server-side requests. Check the API_KEY value in your config for typos.
Search returns zero results or empty response
Confirm your ENGINE_ID is correct by testing the search engine at cse.google.com. If you configured it to search specific sites only, broaden its scope to 'Search the entire web' in the Programmable Search Engine settings.
Daily quota exceeded after 100 searches
The free tier allows 100 search queries per day. For higher limits, set up billing in Google Cloud and upgrade the Custom Search API quota. Each call to google_search counts as one query.
Frequently Asked Questions about Google Custom Search
What is Google Custom Search?
Google Custom Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables search capabilities using a google custom search engine, allowing users to input a search term and retrieve search result titles, links, and snippets, while facilitating integration with other tools for content extraction and advanced search It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Google Custom Search?
Follow the installation instructions on the Google Custom Search GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Google Custom Search?
Google Custom Search works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Google Custom Search free to use?
Yes, Google Custom Search is open source and available under the The Unlicense license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Google Custom Search Alternatives — Similar Search & Data Extraction Servers
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Browse More Search & Data Extraction MCP Servers
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Set Up Google Custom Search in Your Editor
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Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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