Google Custom Search
A Model Context Protocol server that enables LLMs to perform web searches using Google's Custom Search API through a standardized interface.
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 model context protocol server that enables llms to perform web searches using google's custom search api through a standardized interface.
A Model Context Protocol server that enables LLMs to perform web searches using Google's Custom Search API through a standardized interface.
This server falls under the Search & Data Extraction category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A Model Context Protocol server that enables LLMs to perform
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mcp-google-custom-search-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Google Custom Search
The MCP Google Custom Search Server gives AI assistants the ability to perform live web searches through Google's Custom Search JSON API, returning titles, URLs, and descriptions for up to 10 results per query. It implements a single well-defined `search` tool over the MCP protocol, making it easy to wire into Claude Desktop or any other MCP client. Developers and researchers use it to augment AI responses with fresh, domain-specific search results from a configured Google Programmable Search Engine.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18 or higher and npm installed
- A Google Cloud project with the Custom Search JSON API enabled
- A Google API key with Custom Search API access (from Google Cloud Console)
- A Google Programmable Search Engine ID (created at programmablesearchengine.google.com)
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop
Clone the repository
Clone the server source to your local machine and enter the project directory.
git clone https://github.com/limklister/mcp-google-custom-search-server.git
cd mcp-google-custom-search-serverInstall dependencies
Install all required Node.js packages.
npm installCreate the .env file with your credentials
Create a .env file in the project root containing your Google API key and Search Engine ID.
GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_google_api_key_here
GOOGLE_SEARCH_ENGINE_ID=your_search_engine_id_hereBuild the TypeScript project
Compile the TypeScript source to JavaScript. The output lands in the build/ directory.
npm run buildConfigure your MCP client
Add the server to claude_desktop_config.json or your equivalent MCP client config, passing the credentials as environment variables.
Verify with MCP Inspector
Optionally confirm the server is working correctly before connecting Claude Desktop.
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node build/index.jsGoogle Custom Search Examples
Client configuration
Add this block to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS (adjust the path for Windows/Linux). Replace the placeholder values with your real credentials.
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-custom-search": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp-google-custom-search-server/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_API_KEY": "your_google_api_key_here",
"GOOGLE_SEARCH_ENGINE_ID": "your_search_engine_id_here"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Once connected, ask Claude to search the web through your configured search engine.
- "Search for the latest news about Model Context Protocol"
- "Find the official documentation for Next.js App Router"
- "Search for Python asyncio best practices and summarize the top 3 results"
- "Look up recent benchmarks comparing Claude and GPT-4o"
- "Find tutorials on setting up a Kubernetes cluster on GKE"Troubleshooting Google Custom Search
Search returns a 403 error: API key not valid
Ensure the Custom Search JSON API is enabled in your Google Cloud Console project (APIs & Services > Library > search for 'Custom Search API' and enable it). Also verify the API key has no domain restrictions that block server-side requests.
Search Engine ID is invalid or returns zero results
Log in to programmablesearchengine.google.com, open your search engine settings, and copy the Search Engine ID exactly. Confirm the engine is set to search the entire web (or the specific sites you want) under 'Sites to search'.
Module not found error when running node build/index.js
Run `npm run build` again to ensure TypeScript compilation completed successfully. Verify that the build/ directory exists and contains index.js before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Google Custom Search
What is Google Custom Search?
Google Custom Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that model context protocol server that enables llms to perform web searches using google's custom search api through a standardized interface. 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 MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Google Custom Search Alternatives — Similar Search & Data Extraction Servers
Looking for alternatives to Google Custom Search? Here are other popular search & data extraction servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
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★ 20.1kGive your AI agent eyes to see the entire internet. Read & search Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, GitHub, Bilibili, XiaoHongShu — one CLI, zero API fees.
Xiaohongshu
★ 13.7kMCP for xiaohongshu.com
Browse More Search & Data Extraction MCP Servers
Explore all search & data extraction servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
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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