API

How to get API

Last updated: October 10, 2025

Introduction

SE Ranking offers two powerful APIs to integrate our data and platform management capabilities into your workflows and applications:

  • Data API: Designed for pulling large volumes of raw SEO and marketing data (e.g., backlinks, keywords, SERP data). It uses a flexible, pay-as-you-go credit system.
  • Project API: Designed for automating and managing your SEO projects (e.g., creating sites, managing keywords, running audits). Access is tied to your main subscription limits.

This guide explains the requirements and steps to gain access to both.

Data API

The Data API provides direct access to SE Ranking’s extensive databases. Access requires API credits, which can be obtained in several ways:

  1. Business or Enterprise Plan: These plans automatically include 100,000 API credits per month.
  2. API Add-on: User on any subscription plan (Essential, Pro, Business or Enterprise) can purchase a dedicated API add-on. Packages start at 1 million credits for $149 per month.
  3. API Standalone Plan: If you only need access to SE Ranking datasets without the web application, you can subscribe to a standalone API plan.

You can purchase or upgrade these options on the Subscription page.

1. Ensure you have credits

To use the Data API, you must have a positive credit balance. If you are on a Business or Enterprise plan, you already have credits allocated. If you are on another plan or need more volume, purchase an add-on or standalone package.

How many credits do you need?

The cost of Data API requests is measured in credits. The number of credits consumed depends on the specific endpoint and the volume of data requested.

  • Cost per Record: Many endpoints charge per line of data returned.
  • Cost per Request: Some endpoints have a fixed cost per successful call.

For example, for a specific keyword report that prices 10 credits per keyword (record), retrieving 1,000 keywords for 50 domains would cost (1,000 keywords * 10 credits/record * 50 domains = 500,000 credits).

We recommend forecasting your usage before executing large workflows. You can find the specific costs for each endpoint in the Data API Endpoint cost documentation.

2. Generate a Data API Key

Once you have an active plan with API credits, you can generate your access key.

1. Navigate to the API Dashboard. You can access this by clicking the API icon in the main left-hand navigation menu.

2. On the API Dashboard, click the + CREATE API KEY button located in the top-right corner.

3. In the “Create API key” dialog box:

a. Enter a descriptive name in the API key name field (e.g., “Demo”).

b. Under Type of API, select the Data option.

c. Click CREATE KEY.

4. Your new key will be generated and listed in the API Keys table. You can create multiple Data API keys for different applications or environments.

Project API

The Project API allows you to automate tasks within your SE Ranking account. It uses your subscription limits rather than API credits.

1. Subscription Requirements

Access to the Project API is available exclusively to users with an active Business or Enterprise subscription plan.

If you are on an Essential or Pro plan, you must upgrade your subscription to use the Project API. Visit the Subscription Page to review available plans.

2. Generate a Project API Key

If you have a qualifying subscription, follow these steps to generate your key:

1. Navigate to the API Dashboard by clicking the API icon in the left-hand navigation menu.

2. Click the + CREATE API KEY button in the top-right corner of the dashboard.

3. In the “Create API key” dialog box:

a. Under Type of API, select the Project option.

b. Click CREATE KEY.

4. Your Project API key will be generated and appear in the “API Keys” table with the type “Project”.

Note: You can only have one active Project API key per account. You can regenerate the key at any time from this dashboard if needed.

You can monitor your subscription limits under Profile & Preferences > Billing.

Custom and Enterprise Solutions

If you have high-volume data needs exceeding standard plans or require a custom API solution, please contact our team to discuss enterprise options, custom rate limiting, and pricing. You can reach us at [email protected].

Using Your API Key

Your API key is a secret token used for authentication. Keep it secure and do not expose it in client-side code or public repositories.

To authenticate your requests, include the API key in the Authorization header of your HTTP requests, using the Token scheme.

Example (cURL):

Copy
curl -X GET "https://api.seranking.com/v1/backlinks/summary?target=yourdomain.com" \
-H "Authorization: Token YOUR_API_KEY"

Learn how SE Ranking’s API can boost your SEO!

Hi! Meet our product expert, Alex.

He’ll walk you through the API and show you how to get the most out of it.

  • Enjoy a tailored demo on integrating rich, structured SEO data into your stack.
  • Pin down every tech detail live—auth, endpoints, rate limits, data formats.
  • Compare usage tiers and pricing so you can unlock maximum data value.

Request a free demo to see our tools and integrations in action

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