An API (Application Programming Interface) is like a digital waiter that takes your order, brings it to the kitchen, and returns with exactly what you requested. In the digital world, it’s a set of rules that lets different software applications talk to each other and share data.
Semrush API takes this concept and applies it to digital marketing data. Rather than manually logging into Semrush’s platform every time you need information about keywords, competitors, or website performance, you can use the API to pull this data into your own tools and systems automatically.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Semrush API – from the types of data it offers and its different versions to practical applications and pricing details.
What Is Semrush API?
Semrush API (Application Programming Interface) is a software intermediary that allows different applications to communicate with Semrush’s database directly. Think of it as a direct pipeline to Semrush’s data that bypasses the regular user interface. Instead of manually pulling reports through the Semrush website, API lets you automatically fetch data and integrate it into your own tools and dashboards.
The API works through a simple request-response system. You send a specifically formatted request to Semrush’s servers, and they respond with the exact data you need. This automation makes it possible to gather large amounts of data much faster than using the regular interface.
This feature is only available with the Semrush Business plan.
What Kind Of Data Does Semrush API Offer?
Semrush API provides access to a comprehensive range of digital marketing data:
Domain Analytics & Competitive Research
Semrush API gives you deep insights into any website’s online presence. You can analyze organic search performance, including keyword rankings, position changes, and search visibility scores. The competitive research data shows how websites stack up against their rivals, revealing gaps and opportunities in their strategies. You’ll also get detailed backlink information, showing who’s linking to any domain and the quality of those links.
Keyword Intelligence
The keyword data available through the API goes far beyond basic search volumes. You get comprehensive keyword metrics, including monthly search trends, keyword difficulty scores, and cost-per-click data. The API reveals related keywords and variations, helping you uncover new ranking opportunities. You can also access SERP feature analysis, showing which keywords trigger special search results like featured snippets or local packs.
Technical SEO Insights
Through the Site Audit component, the API delivers detailed technical SEO data about any website. It uncovers issues like broken links, missing meta descriptions, duplicate content, and crawlability problems. You receive site health scores and detailed reports about specific technical issues. The API also tracks changes over time, helping you monitor how site health improves as you fix issues.
Rankings & Visibility Tracking
The Position Tracking data helps you monitor search engine rankings with precision. You get daily ranking updates for your target keywords across different locations. The API tracks visibility scores showing how well you appear for your chosen keywords. It also monitors SERP features, letting you know when you gain or lose special search result positions like featured snippets or local pack listings.
Traffic & User Behavior Analysis
Through Traffic Analytics, the API provides detailed visitor behavior data. You can see traffic sources broken down by channel – organic, paid, social, referral, and direct. Geographic distribution shows where visitors come from and how engagement varies by region. The API also delivers key engagement metrics like time on site, pages per visit, and bounce rates.
Local SEO Data
For businesses focusing on local search, the API provides location-specific data. This includes local ranking information across different geographic areas, competitor analysis in specific locations, and performance data for local business listings. You can track how your business appears in local search results and monitor local competitor movements.
Content & Market Analysis
The API delivers insights about content performance across different domains. You can analyze top-performing pages, content gaps, and topic opportunities. The market analysis data shows industry trends, seasonal changes in search behavior, and emerging opportunities in your market space.
Advertising Intelligence
For businesses investing in paid search, the API provides comprehensive PPC data. This includes competitor ad copies, bidding strategies, and budget estimates. You can analyze which keywords your competitors bid on, their ad positions, and estimated traffic from paid campaigns.
Social Media Metrics
The API includes social media performance data, showing how websites perform across different social platforms. You can track social engagement metrics, identify top-performing social content, and analyze social traffic patterns to websites in your industry.
Brand Monitoring
Through the API, you can access brand mention data and track online conversations about any brand. This includes mentions across news sites, blogs, and social media. The data helps track brand sentiment, identify potential partnerships, and monitor competitor mentions.
Types Of Semrush API
Semrush offers three main types of API to cater to different needs:
Standard API
The Standard API is the most commonly used option and includes:
1. Analytics API
- Provides access to domain analytics
- Offers keyword research capabilities
- Delivers backlink data
- Supplies competitive analysis metrics
2. Projects API
- Enables position tracking automation
- Allows site audit data retrieval
- Supports project management functions
3. Accounts API
- Tracks remaining API units
- Manages query history
- Handles export functions
Trends API
The Trends API comes in two versions:
1. Basic API
- Provides broad traffic summaries
- Shows website traffic metrics
- Delivers user behavior data
2. Premium API
- Includes everything in Basic API
- Offers 16 additional data types
- Provides deeper market insights
- Shows detailed competitor strategies
Listing Management API
This API is specifically designed for users of Semrush’s Local Premium Plan and focuses on:
- Local business listing management
- Location data synchronization
- Multi-location business support
Things You Can Do With Semrush API
Semrush API opens up numerous possibilities for digital marketers, agencies, and businesses:
Custom Dashboard Creation
You can build personalized dashboards that pull real-time data from Semrush. This is particularly useful for agencies managing multiple clients. Instead of switching between different reports, you can create a single dashboard showing all relevant metrics for each client.
Automated Reporting
Set up automated reports that pull fresh data regularly without manual intervention. This saves time and ensures your reports are always up-to-date with the latest information.
Large-Scale Data Analysis
Perform extensive keyword research or competitor analysis by pulling data for thousands of keywords or domains in minutes. This would take hours or days if done manually through the interface.
Software Integration
Integrate Semrush data directly into your existing tools and platforms. This could include:
- CRM systems
- Marketing automation platforms
- Custom SEO tools
- Client reporting software
Market Research Automation
Create automated systems for monitoring market trends, tracking competitor movements, and identifying new opportunities in your industry.
Client Portal Development
Build custom portals for your clients where they can access their SEO and marketing data in a format that’s easy to understand and relevant to their business goals.
Competitive Intelligence Tools
Develop tools that automatically track and analyze competitor activities, including their keyword rankings, content strategy, and backlink acquisition.
Semrush API Pricing
Semrush API pricing follows a two-tier structure:
Base Requirement
To access Semrush API, you must first subscribe to the Semrush Business plan, which costs:
- $499.95 per month for monthly billing
- $416.66 per month with annual billing
You can get up to 17% OFF with our Semrush discount offer on the Business plan.
API Credits
After getting the Business plan, you need to purchase API credits separately:
- Cost: $1 for 20,000 API units
- Example: 10,000,000 API units would cost $500
Important pricing notes:
- There are no daily limits on API usage
- You can purchase additional units anytime
- Different types of requests cost different amounts of units
- Historical data requests typically cost more units than current data
- The Trends API has separate pricing and doesn’t use standard API units
Conclusion: Integrate Semrush API For Smooth Workflows
Semrush API is a powerful tool that transforms how businesses can access and utilize SEO and digital marketing data. While it requires a significant investment through the Business plan subscription and API credits, the automation and integration capabilities it offers can provide immense value for agencies, enterprises, and serious digital marketers.
The ability to pull large amounts of data quickly, create custom applications, and automate reporting processes makes it a valuable asset for organizations looking to scale their digital marketing efforts. Whether you’re building custom dashboards, conducting large-scale research, or creating integrated marketing tools, Semrush API provides the flexibility and power to accomplish these tasks efficiently.
When considering Semrush API, carefully evaluate your needs and calculate the potential API unit usage to ensure it aligns with your budget and requirements. With proper planning and implementation, Semrush API can significantly streamline your digital marketing operations and provide valuable competitive advantages in today’s data-driven marketing landscape.
