DataForSEO
DataForSEO is a private API-first data infrastructure provider (founded 2016, headquartered in Tallinn with operations in Kharkiv) delivering SEO, backlink, keyword, and digital marketing intelligence via a unified REST API stack to SEO agencies, SEO software vendors, and enterprises including Samsung, Adobe, and Amazon.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersKharkiv, Ukraine
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DataForSEO does
DataForSEO is a private Ukrainian-founded (2016) data infrastructure provider specializing in SEO and digital marketing intelligence delivered through a unified REST API stack. The platform offers twelve specialized APIs — SERP, Keywords Data, Backlinks, On-Page, DataForSEO Labs, AI Optimization, Reviews, App Data, Business Data, Merchant, Domain Analytics, and Content Analysis — supplemented by five downloadable database products covering Google, Bing, Amazon, and WHOIS data. Underlying technical assets include 543 billion+ indexed backlinks, 8 billion keywords, 2 billion LLM keywords, 1.9 trillion live backlinks processed, and 99.99% uptime reliability, with billions of records processed daily.
The company serves three primary customer segments: SEO agencies, SEO software providers, and large enterprises, with disclosed enterprise customers including Samsung, Vodafone, Amazon, Airbnb, Adobe, HubSpot, Siemens Healthineers, CNET, Neil Patel, and iProspect. Distribution is API-first and product-led, combining a self-serve sign-up flow with a free trial and global reach via direct API access, plus dedicated enterprise sales for large accounts. The revenue model is predominantly pay-per-use with per-task pricing in the $0.01–$0.05 range and no automatic charges, supplemented by a $100/month minimum on the LLM Mentions API and separately priced downloadable database products.
DataForSEO holds ISO 27001 certification and maintains operational presence in Kharkiv, Ukraine and Tallinn, Estonia (headquarters). Leadership is founder-led with Nick Chernets as CEO and Kate Shevchenko as COO. In 2025 the company launched an AI Optimization API suite covering ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AIO, plus a Model Context Protocol server, Custom GPT, and Lindy.ai integrations — moves that position its data layer for consumption by AI agents and the emerging generative engine optimization market.
DataForSEO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DataForSEO
- Legal name
- DataForSEO
- Website
- https://dataforseo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DataForSEO is a private API-first data infrastructure provider (founded 2016, headquartered in Tallinn with operations in Kharkiv) delivering SEO, backlink, keyword, and digital marketing intelligence via a unified REST API stack to SEO agencies, SEO software vendors, and enterprises including Samsung, Adobe, and Amazon.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DataForSEO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- SEO Data APIs
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data Sharing, Data Exchange & Data Marketplace Platforms (HDAEABAH)
Keywords
Where DataForSEO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kharkiv
- HQ country
- Ukraine
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
DataForSEO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- API Usage-based Pricing: Most APIs operate on pay-per-use model with costs per request or task. Customers pay based on the volume of API calls or tasks executed, providing cost efficiency and scalability.
- Subscription with Minimum Commitment: LLM Mentions API requires $100 monthly minimum commitment, providing predictable recurring revenue with usage-based billing above the floor.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | SERP API - per task pricing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Backlinks API - per task pricing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Domain Technologies API - per task pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | LLM Mentions API - subscription with minimum |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Trial Available |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels12 records
DataForSEO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DataForSEO provides a comprehensive suite of SEO and digital marketing data delivered through REST APIs and downloadable databases, covering search engine results (SERP), keyword research, backlink analysis, on-page technical audits, advanced research algorithms, AI/LLM optimization (including brand mention tracking), reviews, app store data, business listings, merchant data, domain analytics, and content analysis. The platform serves as the underlying data infrastructure layer for SEO agencies, SEO software vendors, and enterprises building digital marketing tools.
Product overview
DataForSEO is a comprehensive SEO and digital marketing data platform offering a unified API stack and downloadable database products. The core offering consists of 12+ specialized APIs: SERP API for search results data, Keywords Data API for keyword research, Backlinks API for link analysis, On-Page API for technical SEO audits, DataForSEO Labs API for advanced keyword research algorithms, AI Optimization API (including LLM Mentions API) for generative engine optimization, Reviews API for reputation management, App Data API for app store analytics, Business Data API for local business data, Merchant API for ecommerce data, Domain Analytics API for technology identification, and Content Analysis API for citation tracking. These APIs are complemented by database products including Google, Bing, Amazon, backlink, and WHOIS databases. The platform follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model with no automatic charges, offering both real-time API access and bulk database downloads for enterprise-scale operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SERP API Real-time access to search engine results pages from Google, Bing, Baidu, Yahoo, and Naver, covering all SERP element types including featured snippets, knowledge graphs, and local packs. Used by SEO agencies, software providers, and enterprises building rank tracking and SERP intelligence tools.
- Keywords Data API Delivers keyword research data including search volume, CPC, competition, and trends from Google Ads, Google Trends, Bing Ads, and DataForSEO's own clickstream database. Built for SEO professionals and platforms performing keyword discovery and PPC analysis.
- Backlinks API Comprehensive backlink analysis covering new and lost backlinks, referring domains, anchors, and domain/page intersection with live and historical data. Used by SEO tools, agencies, and enterprises conducting link intelligence and competitor backlink research.
- On-Page API Automated technical SEO audits using customizable crawlers analyzing 100+ on-page ranking factors including broken links, duplicate content, meta tags, and page speed metrics. Designed for SEO platforms and agencies running large-scale site audits.
- DataForSEO Labs API Advanced keyword research algorithms including seven keyword clustering methods, bulk keyword difficulty analysis, competitor research, and historical SERP data for Google, Amazon, App Store, and Google Play. Used for non-standard SEO research and competitor intelligence.
- AI Optimization API Suite of APIs for generative engine optimization including LLM Mentions (tracking brand visibility in AI responses), AI Keyword Search Volume, LLM Responses, and LLM Scraper for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. Targets marketers and brands monitoring AI-driven search surfaces.
- Reviews API Aggregates customer reviews from Google Reviews, Google Shopping, Trustpilot, Tripadvisor, Google Play, and App Store. Built for reputation management platforms and brand monitoring teams.
- App Data API Provides app store data including app listings, search results, and reviews from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Used by ASO platforms, app developers, and mobile marketing teams.
- Business Data API Delivers business information from Google My Business, Google Hotels, Trustpilot, Tripadvisor, Pinterest, and business listings databases. Supports local SEO platforms and agencies building location-based business intelligence tools.
- Merchant API Provides product and seller data from Amazon and Google Shopping including product listings, pricing, reviews, and seller information. Powers ecommerce analytics, price intelligence, and marketplace monitoring products.
- Domain Analytics API Identifies technologies used on websites and provides WHOIS data including domain registration information, expiration dates, and ownership details. Used by security, sales intelligence, and competitive research platforms.
- Content Analysis API Analyzes content citations across the web including sentiment analysis, text categorization, and brand mention tracking with emotional connotation scoring. Designed for content intelligence, brand monitoring, and PR analytics platforms.
- LLM Mentions API Tracks brand and keyword visibility in LLM responses from ChatGPT, Google AIO, and other AI models, providing search mentions, aggregated metrics, cross-aggregated metrics, and top domains for generative engine optimization (GEO).
- Google Databases Pre-built downloadable databases of Google SERPs, keywords, and historical data for offline analysis and bulk processing by SEO vendors and data teams.
- Bing Databases Downloadable databases of Bing search results and keyword data for offline analysis by SEO platforms and research teams.
- Amazon Database Pre-built database of Amazon product listings, search results, and related data for ecommerce market research and competitor analysis.
- Backlink Database Comprehensive downloadable backlink data including referring domains, anchor text, and historical backlink changes for offline link intelligence work.
- WHOIS Database Domain registration database containing WHOIS records with ownership, registration, and expiration data for domain intelligence use cases.
Quantifiable outcome
- 543 billion+ backlinks indexed in database
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use DataForSEO
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
DataForSEO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability5 records
Feature13 records
DataForSEO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DataForSEO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ahrefs: Direct peer offering SEO data and backlink analysis at comparable scale. Both sell data on search rankings, backlinks, and keywords, with Ahrefs being a SaaS-led incumbent and DataForSEO the API-first challenger.
- SEMrush: Direct peer providing SEO, keyword, and backlink data, primarily through a SaaS platform. Both target SEO agencies, software providers, and enterprises, competing for the same underlying data workloads.
- Moz: Direct peer offering keyword research, backlink analysis, and rank tracking. Overlaps directly with DataForSEO's Keywords Data, Backlinks, and SERP APIs for SEO agency and software customers.
- Majestic: Direct peer focused on backlink intelligence, historically a primary source of link data. Competes head-to-head with DataForSEO's Backlinks API and Backlink Database products.
- Serpstat: Direct peer offering keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audit APIs. Eastern European competitor with comparable data coverage and target customer base in SEO agencies and software providers.
- SpyFu: Direct peer in competitive SEO intelligence, offering keyword and competitor research data. Targets similar SEO agency and SMB segments with comparable keyword and SERP datasets.
- SE Ranking: Direct peer offering rank tracking, keyword research, and backlink analysis APIs. Competes in the same SEO software provider and agency customer segments as DataForSEO.
Broad incumbents
- Similarweb: Broad incumbent in digital marketing intelligence, offering traffic and engagement data. Overlaps with DataForSEO's Domain Analytics and Business Data APIs at the enterprise end of the market.
- BrightEdge: Broad incumbent in enterprise SEO platform software. Competes indirectly by bundling data and analytics that DataForSEO provides as raw APIs into integrated enterprise solutions.
Emerging players
- AccuRanker: Emerging player in rank tracking and SERP data APIs. Comparable on SERP endpoint granularity and enterprise customer focus, though narrower in product scope than DataForSEO.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DataForSEO social profiles
Digital presenceDataForSEO compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
DataForSEO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DataForSEO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
DataForSEO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DataForSEO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DataForSEO
What does DataForSEO do?
DataForSEO provides a comprehensive suite of SEO and digital marketing data delivered through REST APIs and downloadable databases, covering search engine results (SERP), keyword research, backlink analysis, on-page technical audits, advanced research algorithms, AI/LLM optimization (including brand mention tracking), reviews, app store data, business listings, merchant data, domain analytics, and content analysis. The platform serves as the underlying data infrastructure layer for SEO agencies, SEO software vendors, and enterprises building digital marketing tools.
Is DataForSEO a public or private company?
DataForSEO is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DataForSEO founded?
DataForSEO was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DataForSEO based?
DataForSEO is headquartered in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in the Europe region.
How does DataForSEO make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. API Usage-based Pricing is the primary driver. The others are subscription with Minimum Commitment.
Who are DataForSEO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, Majestic, Serpstat, SpyFu and SE Ranking. Broad incumbents are Similarweb and BrightEdge. AccuRanker is listed as an emerging player.
Does DataForSEO have an API?
Yes. DataForSEO provides comprehensive SEO and digital marketing data solutions via API, including SERP data, keyword data, backlinks, on-page analysis, AI optimization, reviews, business data, merchant data, domain analytics, and content analysis. The API supports real-time data retrieval with Live endpoints, webhook notifications (pingbacks/postbacks), filtering capabilities, and multiple programming languages including Python, PHP, Node.js, and cURL. The service features pay-as-you-go pricing with no automatic charges. Developer documentation is at docs.dataforseo.com/v3.
What industry is DataForSEO in?
DataForSEO's product category is SEO Data APIs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEABAH, Data Sharing, Data Exchange & Data Marketplace Platforms. Its NAICS code is 518210 and its SIC code is 7370.