Yahoo! API exposes:
Google API exposes:
- Google's main web index
Note that Yahoo! has taken a much more liberal approach in opening up more facets of their search engine. Based on the following, it's easy to ascertain that Yahoo is really looking to support developers here (perhaps in hopes of motivating developers to use their services over Google). I'm not sure if MSN search has an open API yet. Some other differences I observed while comparing their FAQs are below: Google is in blue while Yahoo! is in red.
Communication Implementation
How does the Google Web APIs service work?
Developers write software programs that connect remotely to the Google Web APIs service. Communication is performed via the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), an XML-based mechanism for exchanging typed information.
Q: Why is Yahoo! using REST?
Our goal is to make Yahoo! Search Web Services available to as many developers as possible. REST based services are easy to understand and accessible from most modern programming languages. In fact, you can get a fair amount done with only a browser and your favorite scripting language.
Q: Does Yahoo! plan to support SOAP?
Not at this time. We may provide SOAP interfaces in the future, if there is significant demand. We believe REST has a lower barrier to entry, is easier to use than SOAP, and is entirely sufficient for these services.
Access Authentication
How do I get access to the Google Web APIs service?
You must first agree to the terms and conditions of the Google Web APIs service and create a Google Account. Google will then email you a license key to use with your Google Web APIs applications. Every time you make a call to the Google Web APIs service, you must include your license key.
Can I create more than one Google Account to get multiple license keys?
No. The terms and conditions you agree to restrict you one account for your personal use. Users who attempt to create more than one account are subject to being banned from the Google Web APIs service.
Q: Do I need a developer token to access Yahoo! API's?
No. Yahoo! Search Web Services use an application ID, not a developer ID.We require an Application ID to be sent with each request. This ID identifies your application, not you, the developer.Application IDs are not used to limit access to the services. Access is rate limited based on the caller's IP address. Each service may have a different access rate limit, and if you exceed that rate, you won't be able to use it for a set amount of time. The documentation for each service lists its rate limit.Best of all you can distribute your great Yahoo! Web Service-powered applications to all of your friends. So long as they're accessing Yahoo! Search Web Services from a different IP, their use will not detract from your limit. If they abuse the service from their computer, your access will not be affected.
Q: What is an Application ID?
An Application ID is a string that uniquely identifies your application. Think of it as like a User-Agent string. If you have multiple applications, you should use a different ID for each one. You can register your ID and make sure nobody is already using your ID on our Application ID registration page.
Rate Limits
How many queries can I issue from my computer programs?
Google provides each developer who registers to use the Google Web APIs service a limit of 1,000 queries per day.
Why is the daily limit only 1,000 queries?
The Google Web APIs service is an experimental free program, so the resources available to support the program are limited.
What if I want to pay Google for the ability to issue more than 1,000 queries per day?
Google is only offering the free beta service at this time. If you would like to see Google develop a commercial service, let us know at api-support@google.com.
Q: What are the limits on how much I can use Yahoo! Search Web Services?
Each service may have different rate limits. See the documentation for each service for more information. (As an aside, the image search has a limit of 5,000 queries per day per ip per application ID!)
Q: How will I know when I hit a limit?
When a rate limit has been exceeded, the HTTP request will receive an error code of 403; along with a standard XML error response. See our rate limiting documentation for details.
Results Per Query
Is there a limit on the number of results I can receive per query?
Yes. You can retrieve a maximum of 10 results per query, and you cannot access information beyond the 1000th result for any given query.
Q: What is the limit on the number of search results I can receive per query?
Each service may have different limits on the number of results you can receive. The documentation for that service will specify the default number and maximum number you can receive. Most services are limited to 50 results per query. Local Search is limited to 20 results per query.
Tracking Usage
How can I track the number of queries I have submitted each day?
Developers need to perform their own tracking of their daily usage.
Q: How can I track the number of queries I have submitted?
If you're a developer, please keep track in your code. Also, consider exposing the counts to the users of your application so they'll have a way to track their usage as well.
Q: How can I track the usage of my applications?
You can get daily usage reports for each of your Application IDs.
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