google-search

Google Custom Search with advanced research features.

Overview

Why Google Search?

• Research synthesis - AI-powered topic research
• Content extraction - Extract and analyze web pages
• Advanced filters - Date, language, domain restrictions
• Familiar results - Google’s search quality

Capabilities

• Web search with filters
• Content extraction from URLs
• research_topic - Deep research with AI synthesis
• Multiple webpage extraction

Installation

1. Get API Keys

You need two keys from Google Cloud:

1. API Key

   • Go to Google Cloud Console
   • Enable “Custom Search API”
   • Create an API key

2. Custom Search Engine ID (CSE ID)

   • Go to Programmable Search Engine
   • Create a new search engine
   • Copy the Search Engine ID

2. Install via Setup

./install.sh        # Fresh install
./install.sh --add  # Add to existing

The installer will prompt for both keys.

3. Manual Configuration

Add to ~/.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-search": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@anthropic/mcp-server-google-search"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
        "GOOGLE_CSE_ID": "your-cse-id"
      }
    }
  }
}

Usage

Once installed, Claude can search and research:

"Search for Python async best practices"
"Research the topic of microservices architecture"
"Extract content from this article URL"

Tools Provided

vs Built-in WebSearch

vs brave-search

Choose google-search if you need the research_topic feature for comprehensive analysis.