Skip to content

GCS free full web search ending 2026-12-31 #293

New issue
New issue
Open
Bug
Open
GCS free full web search ending 2026-12-31#293
Bug
Assignees
TimidRobot
Labels
🏁 status: ready for workReady for work💻 aspect: codeConcerns the software code in the repository🔒 staff onlyRestricted to CC staff members🛠 goal: fixBug fix🟧 priority: highStalls work on the project or its dependents

Description

@TimidRobot
TimidRobot
opened on May 6, 2026

Description

GCS free full web search ending 2026-12-31

Google is discontinuing its free web search index for developers | heise online

Google has announced that it will discontinue free access to its full search index for developers. New Programmable Search Engines can now only search a maximum of 50 domains. The previously available "Search the entire web" option will no longer be available for new engines.

Programmable Search Engine Blog: Updates to our Web Search Products & Programmable Search Engine Capabilities:

For users of the Custom Search JSON API: Vertex AI Search is a favorable alternative for up to 50 domains. Alternatively, if your use case necessitates full web search, contact us to express your interest in and get more information about our full web search solution. Your transition to an alternative solution needs to be completed by January 1, 2027.

Additional context

Resolution

  • I would be interested in resolving this bug.

Activity

  1. TimidRobot
    self-assigned this
    on May 6, 2026
  2. TimidRobot
    added this to TimidRoboton May 6, 2026
  3. TimidRobot
    added
    🟧 priority: highStalls work on the project or its dependents
    🏁 status: ready for workReady for work
    on May 6, 2026
  4. TimidRobot
    added the
    Bug
    issue type on May 6, 2026
  5. TimidRobot
    added
    🛠 goal: fixBug fix
    💻 aspect: codeConcerns the software code in the repository
    🔒 staff onlyRestricted to CC staff members
    on May 6, 2026
  6. github-project-automation
    moved this to Triage in TimidRoboton May 6, 2026
  7. TimidRobot
    moved this from Triage to In progress in TimidRoboton May 6, 2026

  8. TimidRobot commented on May 6, 2026

    @TimidRobot
    TimidRobot
    on May 6, 2026
    MemberAuthor

    Submitted Web Search Products Interest Form

  9. TimidRobot commented on Nov 2, 2026

    @TimidRobot
    TimidRobot
    on Nov 2, 2026
    MemberAuthor

    Response from the Programmable Search Engine Team (excerpt):

    1. For Unrestricted Web Search: Future Web Search Service

    For partners requiring unrestricted "Search the entire web" capabilities, we are developing a new enterprise-grade Web Search Service. As you evaluate your future needs, please be aware of the commercial terms planned for this new service:

    • Pricing: USD $15 CPM (Cost Per Mille / 1,000 requests).
    • Minimum Commitment: A minimum monthly fee of USD $30,000 will apply.

    We’ll release more information on this service later in 2026. Existing 'Search the entire web' engines remain functional until January 1, 2027.

    Needless to say, an ♾️ infinite increase in cost--from $0 to $30,000 per month--is untenable for this project 😢

    I inquired further, but received no response 😭

  10. wumpus commented on Nov 3, 2026

    @wumpus
    wumpus
    on Nov 3, 2026

    Allow me to state the obvious: a while ago their CPM to serve searches was $0.5 and their ad revenue was $5.0, 90% margin.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment

Metadata

Metadata

Assignees

Labels

🏁 status: ready for workReady for work💻 aspect: codeConcerns the software code in the repository🔒 staff onlyRestricted to CC staff members🛠 goal: fixBug fix🟧 priority: highStalls work on the project or its dependents

Type

Bug

Projects

  • TimidRobot
    Status
    In progress

Milestone

No milestone

Relationships

None yet

Development

No branches or pull requests

Issue actions