Google Expands Search Analytics API to Include Hourly Data from the Past 10 Days

Google formally introduced its Search Analytics API upgrade with the inclusion of hourly-level access for data up to 10 days. The adjustment allows users to now review hourly performance data for more than previously, allowing them to better detect patterns and observe real-time changes in search traffic.
Previously, when the 24-hour view launched in Search Console in December, there wasn’t any API access available. While a data export feature followed shortly after, access via API remained unavailable—until now.

 

What Google Announced

In the announcement, Google said:
“We’re adding support for hourly data to the Search Analytics API.”
They further clarified:
“While the product shows hourly information only for the last 24 hours, the API will provide information for up to 10 days with an hourly break-up.”
It was initially thought that the hourly break-up would be for up to 8 days, so the surprise of 10 days was a welcome bonus.

 

Benefits for SEO Experts and Developers

Hourly API data has now been rolled out to further educate SEOs, marketers, and developers on how their sites interact with Google Search. With all this openness on an hourly basis, they can more readily:

• Determine traffic drops or spikes by the hour

• Gain insight into user behavior at certain times of the day

• Monitor algorithm update changes affecting traffic dynamics throughout the day

This type of information is particularly valuable for time-sensitive offers, breaking news, or frequent updates pages. It allows for real-time response and optimization by what is occurring hour by hour.

Technical Modifications to the API
In order to enable this new hourly functionality, Google made two important modifications to how API requests are performed:

New Dimension – HOUR
This will allow users to aggregate the data by hour so that all results are showing performance in a particular hour window.

New Data State – HOURLY_ALL
If the HOUR dimension is being used, this setting must be present. This instructs the system to report all the hourly data, even if some of it is missing or not yet processed.

Sample API Usage
Here is a sample of what the API request could look like with the added hourly capability:

json “dimensions”: [“PAGE”, “HOUR”], “dataState”: “HOURLY_ALL” }

 

The test response to the request would be hourly performance data for a single page or alternative dimensions.

 

A Note on Data Completeness

Although this hourly data functionality is convenient, Google has warned users to exercise caution. The latest hourly data might not be complete, particularly for:

• Low-traffic websites

• Low impression questions

• Very recent time frames

So, use this data best as a trend and behavior reference, but not for definitive reporting or decision-making in isolation.

 

Final Thoughts

The new option of 10 days of hourly data via the Search Analytics API is a major step forward in providing users with faster, better insight into their search performance. With hourly trends at their disposal, developers and marketers can now better identify opportunities and respond to changes.
This launch introduces yet another level of flexibility and control, particularly for those operating large-scale sites or campaigns. It’s yet another indication of how Google is still committed to making Search Console tools increasingly available and data-rich.