Locus product guide · Updated November 10, 2026

DataForSEO pricing: API costs per SERP, task and row

DataForSEO is pay as you go: a $50 minimum top-up, no subscription, and a balance that never expires. A Google SERP of 10 results costs $0.0006 in the Standard queue, $0.0012 in Priority and $0.002 Live. Google Ads search volume costs $0.06 to $0.09 per task of up to 1,000 keywords, Labs $0.012 per task plus $0.00012 per item, and Backlinks $0.024 per task plus $0.000036 per row. Prices checked November 10, 2026.

How does DataForSEO pricing work?

You add funds, then each API call draws down the balance at that API’s rate. The minimum top-up is $50. Funds never expire. New accounts get a $1 trial credit, and a free sandbox returns sample responses for testing.

Most APIs offer a Standard mode, where tasks wait in a queue and cost less, and a Live mode that answers in one request. Each API also has its own billing unit, so compare prices per task, per item or per row. Rates below come from DataForSEO’s pricing pages. Prices checked November 10, 2026.

How does DataForSEO pricing work?
API	Billing unit	Price	Modes
SERP API, Google organic	Per SERP of up to 10 results	$0.0006 to $0.002	Standard, Priority or Live
Keywords Data, Google Ads	Per task of up to 1,000 keywords	$0.06 Standard, $0.09 Live	Standard and Live
DataForSEO Labs, Google	Per task plus per item returned	$0.012 plus $0.00012	Live only
Backlinks	Per task plus per row returned	$0.024 plus $0.000036	Live, up to 1,000 rows
OnPage instant pages	Per page	$0.00015	Live mode
OnPage page screenshot	Per task	$0.0048	Live request

What raises the cost of a DataForSEO SERP request?

The base price buys one page of up to 10 organic results. Several parameters multiply it. Examples use the Live price of $0.002. The location, language and device you ask for do not change the price, and fetching the results of a queued task is free.

If you ask for more results than Google returns, DataForSEO refunds the difference.
The Priority queue averages about 1 minute at 60% of the Live price. The Standard queue averages about 5 minutes, with a 45-minute target.

What raises the cost of a DataForSEO SERP request?
Parameter	Cost impact	Example on Live
Search operator such as site: or intitle:	5 times the base price per operator	$0.01 with one operator
depth above 10	1 more base price per extra 10 results, rounded up	depth 15 bills as 20 results: $0.004
calculate_rectangles	1 more base price	Pixel positions: $0.004 in total
load_async_ai_overview	Adds one base price	AI Overview block: $0.004 in total
people_also_ask_click_depth	$0.00015 per click	4 clicks add $0.0006

What does DataForSEO cost at 1,000 and 100,000 units a month?

Rank tracking 1,000 keywords once a month means 1,000 SERPs: $0.60 in the Standard queue or $2 Live. At 100,000 SERPs that becomes $60 or $200. Keyword research is cheaper per keyword, because one task covers up to 1,000 keywords: search volume for 100,000 keywords takes 100 tasks, or $9 Live.

Labs and Backlinks charge per task plus per result. 100,000 keyword ideas take 100 tasks of 1,000: 100 times $0.012 plus 100,000 times $0.00012, or $13.20. 100,000 backlink rows cost $6. Prices checked November 10, 2026.

What does DataForSEO cost at 1,000 and 100,000 units a month?
Monthly workload	DataForSEO cost	How it adds up
1,000 Google SERPs, Live	$2	1,000 SERPs at $0.002
100,000 Google SERPs, Live	$200	100,000 SERPs at $0.002
100,000 Google SERPs, Standard queue	$60	100,000 SERPs at $0.0006
Search volume for 100,000 keywords	$9 Live, $6 Standard	100 tasks of 1,000 keywords
100,000 Labs keyword ideas	$13.20	100 tasks plus 100,000 items
100,000 backlink rows	$6	100 tasks of 1,000 rows plus a fee per row

What can make a DataForSEO bill higher than expected?

DataForSEO is cheap per call. The rules below decide whether it stays cheap.

You must top up at least $50 before you go past the $1 trial, even if you need $2 of data.
Labs and Backlinks bill for every item or row returned. Set a limit on each request, or a broad query can return 1,000 rows.
Google Ads Live requests are limited to 12 a minute per account. Standard tasks take 1 to 3 hours.
A search operator in the keyword multiplies the SERP price by 5.
Depth rounds up to the next 10 results, so depth 11 bills as 20.
The dashboard lets you set daily spending limits per API or endpoint. Turn them on before an agent runs unattended.

What does Locus Pro add for DataForSEO calls?

Locus Pro lists DataForSEO as a known vendor. Your agent calls SERP, keyword, Labs, Backlinks and OnPage endpoints from one prepaid credit balance that also covers other providers, with no DataForSEO account to open or fund.

Labs and Backlinks calls take one task each. Locus quotes the maximum, then charges from the cost DataForSEO reports for the call. The SERP endpoint uses Live mode and bills per 10 results. The Standard and Priority queues are not offered.

Your agent sees the price before each call and can cap it. A monthly hard limit stops new calls once you reach it. On Enterprise, you can bill your own customers for the SEO data their agents pull.

What does Locus Pro add for DataForSEO calls?
Locus endpoint	What it covers	How a call is charged
Google SERP, Live advanced	Google organic results in Live mode	Per 10 results
Google Ads search volume	Up to 1,000 keywords a task	Per task
Labs: keyword ideas, ranked keywords, keyword overview	Keyword research from DataForSEO Labs	Quoted at a maximum, settled at reported cost
Backlinks: summary, backlinks, referring domains	Backlink profiles and referring domains	Quoted at a maximum, settled at reported cost
OnPage instant pages	On-page data for one URL	Priced by request

Which DataForSEO setup should you choose?

Pick the mode by how soon you need results, then the account by your volume.

Nightly or weekly rank tracking: your own DataForSEO account and the Standard queue.
Live answers inside an agent conversation: Live mode, from your own account or through Locus Pro.
Occasional keyword or backlink checks next to other paid tools: Locus Pro, with nothing to fund up front at DataForSEO.
Bulk Labs or Backlinks pulls: a DataForSEO account of your own, with per-endpoint spending limits.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free trial for DataForSEO?

Yes. New accounts get $1 of trial credit to call paid endpoints, plus a free sandbox that returns sample responses for building an integration.

Does a DataForSEO balance expire?

No. Funds stay on the account until you spend them, with no monthly fee.

Why did one DataForSEO SERP request cost 5 times the usual price?

The keyword probably contained a search operator such as site: or intitle:. Each operator multiplies the base price by 5.

Do I pay again to fetch the results of a queued DataForSEO task?

No. You pay when you set the task. Retrieving the results of a Standard or Priority queue task later is free.

Implementation references

Use these first-party references for current request contracts and account requirements. Tool availability, prices, and negotiated terms can change.

Sources

Third-party details were checked on November 10, 2026. Vendors change pricing and features often, so confirm on their site before you decide.