Choosing your API

At SE Ranking, we understand that data drives decisions and automation drives efficiency. That’s why we offer two distinct, powerful APIs designed to cater to different technical needs: the Data API and the Project API.

Whether you need to integrate massive SEO datasets into your custom applications or automate your project management workflows, we have a solution for you. Let’s break down the differences to help you choose the perfect tool for the job.

The Two Pillars of SE Ranking API

While both APIs provide programmatic access to SE Ranking’s powerful SEO tools via RESTful interfaces over HTTPS (returning JSON by default or XML on request), their scope and purpose differ significantly.

Data API: Raw Data and Real-Time Datasets

The Data API provides direct, real-time access to the extensive SEO datasets that power the SE Ranking platform itself. It is designed for developers and analysts who need large volumes of raw data on demand, independent of any configured projects.

• Focus: Data Provisioning, Business Intelligence, Custom Tool Development.
• Scope: Access our entire index for backlinks, domain intelligence, keyword research databases, and on-demand SERP results.
• Ideal for: Embedding extensive SEO metrics into internal dashboards, BI pipelines, or third-party applications.

Project API: Operational Control and Workflow Automation

The Project API exposes every operational facet of managing your SE Ranking projects. It is designed for users who want to automate the setup, configuration, and reporting of projects already existing within the SE Ranking interface.

• Focus: Project Management, Automated Reporting, Rank Tracking Automation.
• Scope: Managing tracked keywords, configuring audits, tracking competitors, managing sub-accounts, and retrieving historical ranking data for existing projects.
• Ideal for: Automating project creation, generating custom reports based on tracked data, and streamlining agency operations.

When to Choose Which API

Choose the Data API if:

• You are building a BI or custom analytics tool: You need large volumes of raw SEO data (e.g., search volume, CPC, difficulty, backlink counts) to power internal dashboards.
• You need bulk data exports: You require asynchronous jobs to download massive datasets, such as a domain’s entire backlink profile.
• You perform extensive on-demand research: You need instant access to domain analysis, keyword suggestions, or SERP snapshots for targets not currently tracked in your projects.
• You require high-throughput access: The Data API supports a higher rate limit of 10 requests per second.

Choose the Project API if:

• You want to automate project management: You need to automatically create projects, add keyword groups, or configure search engines for new clients.
• You are building custom reporting dashboards: You want to pull historical rank tracking data, GSC analytics, or structured audit reports from your existing SE Ranking projects.
• You need to manage workflows: You want to automate tasks like triggering rank re-checks, managing the Marketing Plan, or organizing Backlink Monitor lists.
• You are managing agency operations: You need to programmatically create and manage user seats (sub-accounts) and their permissions.

Technical Snapshot

A quick comparison of the technical specifications for both APIs. Both utilize secure API Key authentication (sent via Query Parameter or Authorization: Token Header).

Get Started Today

Whether you choose the flexibility of the Data API or the operational control of the Project API, SE Ranking provides the tools you need to scale your SEO efforts programmatically.

Generate your API key from your SE Ranking account dashboard (Profile & Preferences → API Dashboard) and start building powerful integrations.