SearXNG gets blocked by Google within hours of production use — switch to Scavio's search API: structured JSON, 50 platforms, from $2 per 1,000 queries, no IP bans. SearXNG is free and private but scrapes search engines that actively detect and block automated queries. For production agents, a structured search API delivers consistent results without the CAPTCHA walls and daily maintenance.
Why SearXNG gets blocked
- Scrapes Google/Bing/DDG directly -- violates their ToS
- No API key means no rate limit negotiation
- Google fingerprints SearXNG request patterns within hours
- Rotating proxies helps temporarily but adds cost and complexity
- Public SearXNG instances are even worse -- shared IP, shared ban
SearXNG vs API: real comparison
Factor | SearXNG | Structured API
Cost | Free (hosting) | $0.002-0.01/query
Reliability | Degrades daily | Managed for you
Setup | Docker + config | API key
Google blocks | Yes, frequently | Not your problem
Multi-platform | Config per engine| One API key
JSON structure | Inconsistent | Typed schema
Maintenance | Ongoing patches | ZeroMigrate from SearXNG to API search
# Before: SearXNG (breaks after a few hours)
# import requests
# resp = requests.get("http://localhost:8888/search", params={
# "q": query, "format": "json"
# })
# After: Scavio API (consistent, structured)
import os
import requests
H = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['SCAVIO_API_KEY']}"}
def search(query, num_results=5):
resp = requests.post(
"https://api.scavio.dev/api/v2/google",
headers=H,
json={"query": query},
timeout=90,
)
resp.raise_for_status()
return resp.json().get("organic_results", [])[:num_results]
for r in search("python web scraping alternatives 2026"):
print(f"{r['title']}: {r['link']}")When SearXNG still makes sense
SearXNG works for personal use, low-volume hobby projects, and situations where privacy matters more than reliability. If you are making fewer than 50 searches per day and can tolerate occasional failures, SearXNG is genuinely useful. The problems start at production scale.
// MCP config: swap SearXNG for Scavio in Claude/Cursor
// Before (SearXNG):
// "searxng": { "url": "http://localhost:8888/search" }
// After (Scavio MCP):
const mcpConfig = {
mcpServers: {
scavio: {
url: "https://mcp.scavio.dev/mcp",
headers: {
"x-api-key": process.env.SCAVIO_API_KEY
}
}
}
};
// Tools include search_google, search_youtube,
// search_amazon, search_reddit, etc.
console.log(JSON.stringify(mcpConfig, null, 2));The hybrid approach
Some developers keep SearXNG as a fallback and use a paid API as the primary search backend. This gives you privacy for low-priority queries and reliability for production-critical ones. But honestly, maintaining SearXNG just for fallback is rarely worth the ops burden.
Bottom line
SearXNG is a great tool for personal privacy. It is not a production search backend. If your agents need reliable search at scale, use a managed search API.
Frequently asked questions
Why does SearXNG get blocked by Google?
SearXNG scrapes Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo directly, violating their terms. Google fingerprints SearXNG request patterns within hours. Rotating proxies helps temporarily but adds cost and complexity.
What is better than SearXNG for production agents?
Scavio returns search data as structured JSON across 50 platforms, with no IP bans for you to manage. One API key replaces the Docker hosting, proxy rotation, and daily maintenance that SearXNG requires.
Can I use SearXNG with Claude Code or Cursor?
You can, but it will get blocked under sustained use. Replace it with Scavio MCP for reliable search: one config block, 50 platforms, no per-minute throttle, and 50 free credits to start.
Is SearXNG really free?
The software is free, but hosting costs money and reliability degrades daily as search engines block it. Scavio gives 50 free credits with no card for a more reliable alternative to evaluate.