Google Trends API vs Google Trends United States API: Which One Fits Your Needs?

In the world of data analysis and trend tracking, APIs play a crucial role in providing developers with the tools they need to access and utilize data effectively. Two prominent APIs in this domain are the Google Trends API and the Google Trends United States API. Both APIs offer unique capabilities for tracking search trends, but they cater to different needs and use cases. In this blog post, we will delve into a detailed comparison of these two APIs, exploring their features, performance, scalability, and the scenarios in which each API excels.

Overview of Both APIs

The Google Trends API allows developers to scrape results from the Google Trends page, providing insights into what is trending in Google Search. It enables users to retrieve information about trending topics over time and across different regions. This API is particularly useful for content creators, marketers, and researchers who want to understand search behavior and identify emerging trends.

On the other hand, the Google Trends United States API focuses specifically on trends within the United States. It provides real-time data on how often specific search terms are entered into Google relative to the total search volume. This API is ideal for businesses and marketers looking to tailor their strategies to the U.S. market, allowing them to track trending topics and consumer interests effectively.

Feature Comparison

Google Trends API Features

The Google Trends API offers several key features that enhance its usability:

Get Interest Over Time

This feature allows users to retrieve the interest over time for multiple topics of their choice. Developers can specify various timeframes to analyze trends effectively. The available options include:

now 1-H - Past hour
now 4-H - Past 4 hours
now 1-d - Past day
now 7-d - Past 7 days
today 1-m - Past 30 days
today 3-m - Past 90 days
today 12-m - Past 12 months
today 5-y - Past 5 years
all - 2004 - present

This flexibility allows developers to analyze trends over different periods, making it easier to identify peak interest times for specific topics.

{
  "search_metadata": {
    "id": "673ddb69c1c8dd3be1853761",
    "status": "Success",
    "json_endpoint": "https://serpapi.com/searches/74d2a9671992550c/673ddb69c1c8dd3be1853761.json",
    "created_at": "2024-11-20 12:51:53 UTC",
    "processed_at": "2024-11-20 12:51:53 UTC",
    "google_trends_url": "https://trends.google.com/trends/api/explore?hl=en&tz=420&req=%7B%22comparisonItem%22%3A%5B%7B%22keyword%22%3A%22NBA%22%2C%22geo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22time%22%3A%22today+3-m%22%7D%5D%2C%22category%22%3A0%2C%22property%22%3A%22%22%2C%22userConfig%22%3A%22%7BuserType%3A+%5C%22USER_TYPE_LEGIT_USER%5C%22%7D%22%7D",
    "total_time_taken": 8.08
  },
  "search_parameters": {
    "engine": "google_trends",
    "q": "NBA",
    "hl": "en",
    "date": "today 3-m",
    "tz": "420",
    "data_type": "GEO_MAP"
  }
}

Get Interest By Region

This feature allows developers to retrieve data on the regions that are most interested in a specific search term. By understanding regional interest, businesses can tailor their marketing strategies to target specific demographics effectively.

{
  "search_metadata": {
    "id": "669fbe9a7690dc62b6015441",
    "status": "Success",
    "json_endpoint": "https://serpapi.com/searches/525387bc50ac4233/669fbe9a7690dc62b6015441.json",
    "created_at": "2024-07-23 14:30:50 UTC",
    "processed_at": "2024-07-23 14:30:50 UTC",
    "google_trends_url": "https://trends.google.com/trends/api/explore?tz=420&req=%7B%22comparisonItem%22%3A%5B%7B%22keyword%22%3A%22us+open%22%2C%22geo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22time%22%3A%22today+12-m%22%7D%5D%2C%22category%22%3A0%2C%22property%22%3A%22%22%2C%22userConfig%22%3A%22%7BuserType%3A+%5C%22USER_TYPE_LEGIT_USER%5C%22%7D%22%7D",
    "total_time_taken": 5.68
  },
  "search_parameters": {
    "engine": "google_trends",
    "q": "us open",
    "date": "today 12-m",
    "tz": "420",
    "data_type": "GEO_MAP"
  }
}

Get Trends Compared Breakdown By Region

This feature allows users to query multiple search terms (up to five) simultaneously and receive a breakdown of trends by region for each term. This capability is particularly useful for comparative analysis, enabling businesses to understand how different topics perform across various locations.

{
  "search_metadata": {
    "id": "664faae11e803fb8fcfbf13c",
    "status": "Success",
    "json_endpoint": "https://serpapi.com/searches/9d4201788253317d/664faae11e803fb8fcfbf13c.json",
    "created_at": "2024-05-23 20:45:21 UTC",
    "processed_at": "2024-05-23 20:45:21 UTC",
    "google_trends_url": "https://trends.google.com/trends/api/explore?tz=420&req=%7B%22comparisonItem%22%3A%5B%7B%22keyword%22%3A%22nba%22%2C%22geo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22time%22%3A%22today+12-m%22%7D%2C%7B%22keyword%22%3A%22hamilton%22%2C%22geo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22time%22%3A%22today+12-m%22%7D%5D%2C%22category%22%3A0%2C%22property%22%3A%22%22%2C%22userConfig%22%3A%22%7BuserType%3A+%5C%22USER_TYPE_LEGIT_USER%5C%22%7D%22%7D",
    "total_time_taken": 11.9
  },
  "search_parameters": {
    "engine": "google_trends",
    "q": ["nba", "hamilton"],
    "date": "today 12-m",
    "tz": "420",
    "data_type": "GEO_MAP"
  }
}

Google Trends United States API Features

The Google Trends United States API provides a focused feature set tailored for U.S. trends:

Fetch Google Trends US

This feature allows developers to retrieve real-time data from Google Trends specifically for the United States. It returns a list of trending search results, making it an invaluable tool for businesses and marketers looking to stay ahead of the curve in the U.S. market.

{
  "data": [
    "las vegas flag football death",
    "in out burger tennessee",
    "lake mead hoover dam water levels",
    "titanic movie theaters",
    "green comet earth sky",
    "cleveland browns news",
    "ffxiv 6.3 patch notes lodestone",
    "bridal veil falls utah avalanche",
    "pizza hut fan favorite",
    "samsung galaxy s23 ultra"
  ],
  "message": "Trending Items Fetched."
}

Performance and Scalability Analysis

When it comes to performance, both APIs are designed to handle a significant volume of requests efficiently. The Google Trends API excels in providing detailed insights over time and across regions, making it suitable for applications that require historical data analysis. Its ability to compare multiple search terms simultaneously adds to its scalability, allowing developers to extract comprehensive insights without overwhelming the system.

Conversely, the Google Trends United States API is optimized for real-time data retrieval, making it ideal for applications that need to respond quickly to changing trends. Its focused approach on U.S. data ensures that developers can access relevant information without unnecessary overhead, enhancing performance in specific use cases.

Pros and Cons of Each API