I am looking into this module. I understand the dangers of being banned if you do too many searches. Why not use the search engines provided API's. The API key allows you to make up to 1000 queries per day. Seems to me to be a good idea and each user of the module as to signup and load there own API key. Is this too hard to implement? Here is some help:
http://articles.sitepoint.com/article/track-rank-google-api

Comments

pixture’s picture

pixture CreditAttribution: pixture commented

Using API usually requires a key. Usually you can obtain it free for charge but there's a restriction on it. We can not let module users to use my developer key, and it means that each user of this module need to establish a developer account and obtain their developer key. We did not like that and that's the reason of not to use APIs for Google and Bind, Yahoo.

Of course, I first implemented using such APIs. But I also realized that usage of API has some rules and restrictions that goes to the grey area for this kind of purpose.

spgd01’s picture

spgd01 CreditAttribution: spgd01 commented

Can you make it optional to use API's. Of course the user will have to set up there own API keys and then enter in their own API key into the module. This is what many of the SERP analysis software out there do. I don't see a problem with peropl having to set up their own API's if they are serious about SEO. Aren't API's safer to use for this then just use http requests when it comes to getting your IP banned. Plus it is much easier to see it all in one location. This way we have an option. Thanks for your response.

paulhudson’s picture

paulhudson CreditAttribution: paulhudson commented

I've been tempted to write the API intergration for a while now.

It could be an options for those that want to set it up and fallback to scraping the SERP's if there's no key. Any input or existing code pixture? Let me know if it's functionality you'd like in the project.