Google takes legal action against SerpApi: what future for search engine results scraping?

The major stakes in the Google vs. SerpApi dispute: the end of search engine scraping?

On December 19, 2025, a crucial step shook the world of SEO and online data collection. Google, the undisputed giant of online search, launched legal action against SerpApi, one of the leading API providers for automatically accessing search results. The reason? A clear violation of intellectual property rights and a practice deemed “parasitic,” according to the Mountain View giant. This lawsuit is not just a simple legal dispute; it symbolizes a profound shift in how data from search engines can be used. With thousands of businesses and researchers relying on these APIs to analyze the web in real time, this confrontation could well rewrite the game. With Google reporting an explosion in scraping volumes, reaching hundreds of millions of daily queries, the entire economic model based on the mass retrieval of results is now under pressure. Underlying this is a battle for the future of the sector, between open innovation and strict control. The central question that emerges is: how far can we continue to freely exploit this data, in a context of tension surrounding rights and security measures?

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A contested economic model: when scraping turns into abusive exploitation.

Google’s accusations against SerpApi directly attack the very nature of its business model. As much as the number of requests sent—an exponential growth of 25,000% in two years—it’s their method of operation that’s problematic. The company is accused of using proxy networks to bypass security measures like CAPTCHAs and SearchGuard, a technology for automatically detecting suspicious behavior. By bombarding the search engine with these automated requests, SerpApi doesn’t just retrieve a few results; it extracts a colossal amount of data, including data protected by licenses or intellectual property. This massive plundering, granting access to content in real time, resembles large-scale theft. Ultimately, Google not only questions the legality of the practice but also emphasizes the economic impact on the long-term viability of its infrastructure. For him, these activities massively exploit the monumental investment made to build a robust engine, without any compensation or contribution to the ecosystem.

Discover scraping/lart-de-la-data-a-votre-portee-comment-le-web-scraping-peut-transformer-votre-entreprise/">web scraping techniques to easily extract online data, automate information gathering, and optimize your digital projects. Circumvention techniques and their impact on intellectual property.What’s causing a stir at the highest levels is the method SerpApi uses to circumvent these protections. The use of hundreds of millions of fake queries, disguised as human behavior, allows it to fool anti-scraping systems. By combining VPNs, proxies, and other anonymization tools, the company facilitates the plundering of results, including licensed elements such as images in Knowledge Panels. These practices strike at the heart of intellectual property, calling into question the legitimacy of their commercial use.

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Pressure on infrastructure, increased costs for Google

No compensation or contribution to the ecosystem

Compromise of Google’s business model

This legal battle is not simply a matter of legality. It offers a glimpse into the future of web scraping, which is meant to fuel an entire ecosystem of artificial intelligence and online search. By 2026, this sector must juggle innovation, respect for rights, and security. The trend is clear: large companies, starting with Google, want to control access to dominant data by erecting technical and legal barriers. This evolution is driven by the desire to protect their intellectual property in the face of a tidal wave of automated queries. The direct consequence? More difficult, even restricted, access to data for independent or innovative players. For some, this setback could stifle creativity and prolong dependence on official players. Yet, others are considering alternative solutions such as collaborations or the implementation of open standards that facilitate compatibility and transparency.

This context also raises the question of the future legitimacy of public and official APIs. If Google drastically limits what is accessible, it could push some towards clandestine practices, thus increasing the risks of hacking or abuse. Managing intellectual property then becomes a real challenge, where each party must find its balance: legal recognition, respect for rights, and commercial interests.

scraping/lart-de-la-data-a-votre-portee-comment-le-web-scraping-peut-transformer-votre-entreprise/">Web scraping is a technique for automatically extracting data from websites, used to collect and analyze large amounts of information.

• Potential solutions for balanced regulation
• Faced with this complex issue, several avenues can contribute to shaping a more peaceful future. The first involves establishing strategic partnerships between Google and innovative players to legally share data via official APIs. This requires revisiting the current, often restrictive, model to both respect intellectual property and encourage innovation. Initiatives such as the implementation of open standards or shared licenses could promote more transparent and equitable access.
• Secondly, it is essential to strengthen legislative frameworks to better regulate scraping, while allowing room for experimentation, particularly in the field of AI. Legislation should also include deterrent sanctions for abusive practices, while protecting those who operate within the rules. The evolution of case law, drawing on cases like Google v. SerpApi, could forge a new legal doctrine, facilitating the coexistence of different practices.

Encourage transparency in data retrieval methods 🕵️‍♂️

Promote the creation of open standards for accessing search results 🌐

Implement shared licenses that respect intellectual property 📜

Stimulate collaboration between major platforms and independent players 🤝

Legal challenges: towards a new era for online data collection

The legal proceedings initiated against SerpApi send a strong signal. The regulation of scraping, especially when it concerns data from search results, must be within a clear framework to avoid anarchy. If Google is pushing for strict regulation, it is also to protect its intellectual property rights in the face of massive automated queries. In 2026, the challenge is to strike a balance: enabling innovation while ensuring respect for intellectual property rights.

This context is also redefining how economic players approach their strategies. Some are turning to the creation of their own index, which requires colossal investments, while others are advocating for more flexible legislation, allowing scraping within clearly defined limits. The stakes are high: to make a dynamic innovation ecosystem coexist with the essential protection of rights and protected content. Future case law, particularly that initiated by Google’s lawsuit against SerpApi, will likely shape these rules of the game for the long term.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lulRHA_FMIY

Will scraping search results still be legal in 2026?

It all depends on the use and methods employed. Practices that respect copyright law, such as using official APIs, are legal. However, massive scraping, bypassing security measures and stealing licensed content, is increasingly subject to legal penalties.

What are the consequences for companies that use scraping in 2026?

Écrit par

Kevin Grillot

Consultant Webmarketing & Expert SEO.

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