Knowledge Graph Search API
The Google Knowledge Graph Search API is a read-only API that lets you look up entities in the Google Knowledge Graph by name or ID. It returns JSON-LD results using schema.org types, each with a Knowledge Graph ID, name, types, description and a resultScore. Google warns it is not suitable for production-critical services and points new users to Cloud Enterprise Knowledge Graph.
What does the API do?
Google says the API “lets you find entities in the Google Knowledge Graph”, uses standard schema.org types, and is compliant with the JSON-LD specification. Typical uses include getting a ranked list of notable entities matching criteria and annotating content with Knowledge Graph entities.[1] Officially documented
What are the key parameters?
| Parameter | Purpose |
|---|---|
query | Text to search for |
ids | Look up specific Knowledge Graph IDs |
types | Restrict to schema.org types such as Person or Organization |
languages | Language codes for results |
limit | Number of results |
key | Your API key |
https://kgsearch.googleapis.com/v1/entities:search?query=taylor+swift&key=API_KEY&limit=1&indent=True
What does a result contain?
Each item in itemListElement has a result with an @id (such as kg:/m/0dl567), name, @type, description, often a detailedDescription with a source URL and licence, plus a resultScore.[1] Officially documented Google does not document resultScore as a ranking or importance measure for Search; treat it as a relative match score within one response. Practitioner practice
What are its limits?
- “This API is not suitable for use as a production-critical service.”[1]
- Google is migrating it to Cloud Enterprise Knowledge Graph for enterprise and high-QPS needs, and suggests that product for new users.[1]
- It is read-only: you cannot add or edit entities.[1]
- It returns a subset of information, not a full knowledge panel.
How do SEOs use it?
To check whether an entity exists, find its ID and types, see which description Google associates with it, and compare similarly named entities. Step-by-step instructions are in finding entities with the Knowledge Graph Search API.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Knowledge Graph Search API free?
It requires a Google Cloud API key; check Google Cloud's current quotas and terms before relying on it.
Does a resultScore show ranking strength?
Google does not document it that way. Use it only to compare matches within the same response.
Can I add my business with the API?
No. The API is read-only.
See also
References
Pages accessed September 29, 2026 unless a date is given. See all sources and our editorial policy.
- ^ "Google Knowledge Graph Search API". Google for Developers.