SERP
Choose a search results service so the brief agent can read the live top 10 results and People also ask for each keyword.
Before the writer starts, the brief agent reads the live search results for the ticket's keyword: the top 10 results and the "People also ask" questions. This shows which page types rank, which sections are common, and which gaps your article can fill. You choose the search results (SERP) service in Settings. Without one, briefs work from the AI's own knowledge.
Compare the services
| Service | Results from | Free use | Key needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic | The first service below that has a key | Depends on the service | No |
| SerpApi | About 250 searches a month | SerpApi API key | |
| Serper.dev | 2,500 free searches once, then paid | Serper API key | |
| Brave Search | Brave's own index (not Google) | About $5 free credit a month | Brave Search API key |
| DataForSEO | Paid | Uses the DataForSEO login | |
| None | No live results | Free | No |
Free allowances can change. Check the vendor site for current prices.
Set it up
- Open Settings > Integrations, card Search results for briefs (SERP).
- Choose a service.
- Paste its key (for DataForSEO, fill in the DataForSEO card instead).
- Click Save.
- Click Test search results.
A good test says which service worked, lists the top domains for a sample keyword, and counts the "People also ask" questions.
| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Which SERP service the brief agent uses | Automatic |
| SerpApi API key | Key for SerpApi | Empty |
| Serper API key | Key for Serper.dev | Empty |
| Brave Search API key | Key for Brave Search | Empty |
Tip: For a small site, one SerpApi or Serper key is usually enough. Each brief needs one search, and research makes about 5 briefs a week by default.
How Automatic works
With Automatic, the app uses the first service in this order that has a key: SerpApi, Serper.dev, Brave Search, DataForSEO. If none has a key, briefs work from the AI's own knowledge.
The Overview Setup card shows the service in use, for example "Search results for briefs: serpapi", or "none".
What the brief does with the results
The brief has a SERP summary section with:
- The page types that rank (guides, lists, product pages, comparisons).
- Common sections across the top results.
- Gaps your article can fill with credible facts.
- Risks, such as a results page full of big brands.
"People also ask" questions help the outline and the FAQ. The writer then follows the brief. See Writer.
With None, the brief says the SERP is inferred.
When a lookup fails
If a SERP lookup fails, the brief is still written, without live results. The log on Agent activity shows "SERP lookup failed for ..." with the reason. Common reasons:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Free plan used up | Wait for the monthly reset, add credit, or choose another service. Automatic picks the first service with a key; it does not switch when one runs out |
| Key not valid | Copy the key again from the vendor dashboard |
| "No key for this service yet." on test | Paste and save the key first |
| "Search results are off." on test | You chose None |
Note: Brave Search uses its own index, so its results can differ from Google. That is fine for briefs, but SerpApi, Serper and DataForSEO show what Google shows.
Cost tracking
Each SERP lookup is counted on the AI usage page under searches and lookups, per job, ticket and day. The SERP service bills you directly.
Related
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