---
title: Serpapi Tool
description: When the user wants to check live SERP results for a keyword, see what's in the local pack right now, check People Also Ask, see AI Overviews, verify SERP features, or do a quick spot-check of local s…
category: Marketing
sublabel: Local SEO
author: garrettjsmith
tags: 
license: MIT
source: https://github.com/garrettjsmith/localseoskills
---

# SerpAPI Tool

> **Note:** LocalSEOData (`localseodata-tool`) now covers live SERP data via `organic_serp`, `local_pack`, `maps`, and `local_finder` endpoints. Use LocalSEOData as default. SerpAPI remains useful if LocalSEOData is not connected, or for non-Google engines (Bing, Yahoo).

You have direct access to SerpAPI via MCP. This gives you live, real-time search results from Google, Bing, and other engines at any location.

## When to Use SerpAPI vs Other Tools

| You Need | Use SerpAPI | Use Instead |
|----------|------------|-------------|
| Live SERP snapshot right now | ✅ | — |
| What's in the local pack for a query | ✅ | Local Falcon for geographic grid coverage |
| People Also Ask questions | ✅ | — |
| AI Overview content | ✅ | Local Falcon GAIO scan for geographic coverage |
| Quick rank check at one location | ✅ | Local Falcon for systematic multi-point |
| SERP features present (ads, knowledge panel, etc.) | ✅ | — |
| Rankings across a geographic grid | ❌ Too slow point by point | Local Falcon |
| Keyword volume/difficulty | ❌ | Semrush, Ahrefs, DataForSEO |
| Historical ranking trends | ❌ Snapshot only | Local Falcon trends |

## Core Workflows

### Check Live SERP for a Local Keyword

**When:** User wants to see what Google shows right now for a search.

```json
{
  "params": {
    "q": "emergency plumber",
    "engine": "google",
    "location": "Buffalo, New York, United States"
  },
  "mode": "compact"
}
```

**What to extract from results:**
- `local_results` — the map pack (positions, business names, ratings, reviews)
- `organic_results` — organic listings below the map
- `ads` — paid ads present (indicates commercial value)
- `related_questions` — People Also Ask (content opportunity)
- `ai_overview` — AI Overview content if present
- `knowledge_graph` — knowledge panel for branded searches

### Check Google Maps Results Specifically

**When:** User wants to see local business listings specifically.

```json
{
  "params": {
    "q": "dentist",
    "engine": "google_maps",
    "location": "Orchard Park, New York"
  }
}
```

Use `google_maps` engine when you want more than the top 3 map pack — this returns the full local finder results.

### Check Local Results from a Specific Location

**When:** User wants to see results as if searching FROM a specific place.

```json
{
  "params": {
    "q": "chiropractor near me",
    "engine": "google_local",
    "location": "Amherst, New York"
  }
}
```

**Important:** Location parameter simulates searching FROM that location. "Near me" queries will show results near that location.

### Quick Competitive SERP Analysis

**When:** User wants to understand the competitive landscape for a keyword.

Run the search, then analyze:
1. **Are there ads?** → Keyword has commercial value
2. **Is there a local pack?** → Google sees local intent
3. **How many reviews do map pack businesses have?** → Review benchmark
4. **Is there an AI Overview?** → Content needs to be AI-optimizable
5. **What are the PAA questions?** → Content/FAQ opportunities
6. **Who's ranking organically?** → Directories vs. actual businesses

### Verify SERP Features for Keyword Research

**When:** Building keyword strategy and need to know which keywords trigger which features.

Run searches for each target keyword and note:
- Local pack present → prioritize GBP optimization for this keyword
- Ads present → keyword has conversion value, consider PPC
- AI Overview present → optimize content for AI citation
- Featured snippet → structured content opportunity
- PAA questions → FAQ content opportunities
- No local pack → keyword may not have local intent, reconsider targeting

## Engine Selection Guide

| Engine | When to Use |
|--------|-------------|
| `google` | Default — full SERP with all features including local pack |
| `google_maps` | Want full local/maps results beyond top 3 |
| `google_local` | Local finder results specifically |
| `google_light` | Quick check, less data, faster response |
| `google_news` | Check if keyword has news coverage |
| `google_images` | Check image results for a query |
| `bing` | Check Bing results (relevant for Copilot/AI search) |

## Interpreting Results for Local SEO

### Local Pack Analysis
- **Position 1-3**: These businesses dominate — note their review counts, ratings, categories
- **No local pack**: Google doesn't see local intent for this query — reconsider keyword strategy
- **Ads above local pack**: Competitive keyword — organic alone may not be enough

### People Also Ask (PAA)
- Each PAA question is a content opportunity
- If your target keyword generates PAAs like "How much does [service] cost in [city]?" — create content answering that
- PAA questions often become FAQ schema candidates

### AI Overview
- If present: Google is summarizing content for this query
- Note which sources are cited — those sites have the content structure Google prefers
- Your content needs to be factual, well-structured, and directly answering the query

## What to Do Next

| What You Found | Next Action | Skill |
|----------------|-------------|-------|
| Local pack shows competitors with more reviews | Build review strategy | `review-management` |
| No local pack for target keyword | This isn't a local keyword — adjust strategy | `local-keyword-research` |
| AI Overview present, user not cited | Optimize content for AI visibility | `ai-local-search` |
| PAA questions found | Create FAQ content targeting those questions | `local-landing-pages` |
| Ads present, user not running ads | Consider PPC for this keyword | `local-ppc-ads` |
| Want geographic ranking data, not just this one point | Run a proper geogrid scan | `local-falcon-tool` |
| User in map pack but wrong position | Diagnose with geogrid analysis | `geogrid-analysis` |

**Default next step:** SerpAPI gives you a snapshot. For ongoing tracking, set up Local Falcon scans. Use SerpAPI for exploration and spot-checks, Local Falcon for measurement.