The SEO industry has been abuzz with heated discussions as Google intensified anti-scraping measures yet again. The new restrictions have caused widespread disruptions in many rank-tracking and keyword research tools, leaving their users without fresh data from SERPs.

At DataForSEO, however, it’s business as usual. Amidst the turbulence, our team has quickly risen to the challenge, ensuring reliable API performance and results. We’ve proven once again that we’re the data partner you can count on, no matter what Google throws our way.

Contents

What happened
Why it matters to you
How DataForSEO handled challenges

What happened: Google tightens the noose on SERP scrapers

Around January 15, 2025, Google rolled out a new wave of anti-scraping measures, making it much more challenging for web scraping tools to access search results pages.

While Google has long prohibited automated rank-checking in its results, the recent measures have gone beyond what the SEO community has seen before. Elaborate blocking mechanisms, including IP tracking, behavior-based detection, and stricter protocols for session handling have caused outages for many popular SEO solutions, hindering operations and frustrating users. Reports are flooding in from across the industry about disrupted services, data delays, and tools that aren’t functioning the way they should.

In light of Google’s latest measures, questions about whether scraping its SERPs is legal are surfacing again. To clear up any confusion, check our comprehensive guide: Is Scraping Google SERPs Legal?

Here’s the TL;DR:

• Scraping SERPs isn’t prohibited under the DMCA or CFAA.
• Using DataForSEO’s APIs doesn’t violate Google’s ToS or Webmaster Guidelines.
• You can rely on our APIs for dependable data access.

Why it matters to you: a wake-up call for the industry

Google’s crackdown on scraping highlights a major vulnerability in the SEO industry: not all tools are prepared to handle rapid change.

For marketers, developers, and businesses dependent on real-time keyword tracking and rank monitoring, SEO software outages present serious challenges: stalled campaigns, delayed reports, and missed opportunities — all while competitors continue to forge ahead.

If your current data provider has left you stranded, now may be the time to consider whether they’re truly meeting your needs.

At DataForSEO, we’ve spent years perfecting our system to navigate exactly these kinds of situations. Our commitment to innovation and reliability means you can count on us, even when the landscape gets rocky.

DataForSEO: built to weather the storm in SERPs

The latest events prove once again that having a reliable SEO data partner isn’t just a convenience — it’s a necessity.

At DataForSEO, we don’t just adapt to change — we anticipate it, so our users are never caught off guard and can focus on what really matters: growing their businesses.

Here’s how we’ve managed to keep things running:

We are a proactive team of experts

Our team’s agility and technical expertise allow us to maintain high success rates during crises, ensuring our clients face no significant interruptions in their data flows.

We solve problems — fast

When Google changes the rules, we don’t sit around waiting for things to fix themselves. Our team jumps into action, identifying the root cause and deploying solutions quickly.

We’re built for challenges like this

Our system is designed to handle data scraping complexities in a dynamic environment. From smart IP rotation to adaptive scraping mechanisms, we’ve built a reliable infrastructure and invested in technology that delivers the data you need — no matter how tricky things get.

We understand that data delays and interruptions can cost an SEO business a lot of money and even its whole reputation. That’s why we focus on delivering fresh, accurate information and keeping your projects on track.

Don’t let outages hold you back

Challenges like the recent SERP data outage are inevitable. However, the way your data provider responds to these situations makes all the difference. At DataForSEO, we are committed to delivering high-quality data, even in unpredictable times.

What you get partnering with us:

Reliable data: organic and paid results, AI Overviews, and more — we’ve got you covered.
Fair pricing: pay only for what you use.
24/7 support: we’re always here to help.

Explore DataForSEO’s API solutions today and experience the difference for yourself.

Contact us