Beyond the Box with Google's Web API
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Jakob Jelling December 12, 2006
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Google, the most popular, and many say best, search engine, offers
searchers many options to help them zero in on just what they're
looking for. Although these search modifier features are documented on
own site, many searchers, including experienced marketers and
technically savvy people, simple don't know these features are
available. But these features, along with the Google search box, are
only available to human searchers, who can type in their search
parameters, and perhaps some keyboard scripting programs as well. But
there is a way for programmers and web site designers to access
Google's database from their own sites, in the exact way they need.
This is done by using Google's Web API (Application Program Interface).
With the API, programmers can use most any web programming
language, such as PHP, ASP, Perl, .NET, and Java. Google's Web API
provides "data hooks" that allow a remote program to access certain
portions of Google easily. You must be very aware of the Google Web API Terms of Service.
You must obtain a developer key that you will include in each API use,
you are allowed only 1,000 automated queries per day, and perhaps most
important, you may not use the Google API for commercial purposes. It
is only for your personal use, and you of course may not violate any
laws or copyright protection. Google provides a developer's kit to help you get started.
Data is interchanged between Google and the application program using
an XML structure, so the results from Google should be relatively easy
to parse even for only moderately experienced developers. If you have
problems or questions, Google offers Getting Help, Reference and FAQ
links, and you will find help and discussions on any of several forums
should you need more help. Just search Google - from the search box!
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