published

DuckDuckGo Instant Answer API

The DuckDuckGo Instant Answer API offers developers free access to structured, instant answers for queries, suitable for various integrations without compromising user privacy.

Developed by DuckDuckGo

View Source
99.98%Uptime
180msLatency
1.4kStars
No AuthAuth
NoCredit Card
RESTStyle
v1Version
API Endpoints

Reference for available routes, request structures, and live examples.

Get instant answers and search results

Full Endpoint URL
https://api.duckduckgo.com/
Implementation Example
curl -X GET 'https://api.duckduckgo.com/'
Request Payload
{
  "q": "artificial intelligence",
  "format": "json"
}
Expected Response
{
  "Abstract": "AI is intelligence demonstrated by machines",
  "AbstractURL": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence",
  "AbstractSource": "Wikipedia"
}
Version:v1
Limit:Unlimited
Real-World Applications
  • Integrating instant answers into search bars and browser extensionsOptimized Capability
  • Adding lightweight knowledge panels to web or mobile applicationsOptimized Capability
  • Building educational chatbots and AI assistantsOptimized Capability
  • Powering FAQ bots and smart help widgets for websitesOptimized Capability
  • Displaying quick lookup facts or summaries in dashboardsOptimized Capability
Advantages
  • ✓ No authentication or API key required for access
  • ✓ Fast, structured JSON responses ideal for rapid integration
  • ✓ Privacy-centric—no user tracking or data retention
  • ✓ Free for reasonable usage with a generous rate limit
Limitations
  • ✗ Limited to publicly available knowledge; no personalized or proprietary data
  • ✗ Strict rate limits may restrict heavy or commercial usage
  • ✗ No official SDKs; developers must perform HTTP requests manually
  • ✗ Results may be less comprehensive than commercial search APIs

FAQs

API Specifications

v1
Pricing Model
Free
Credit Card
Not Required
Response Formats
JSON
Supported Languages
7 Languages
SDK Support
REST Only
Time to Hello World

Less than 5 minutes

Rate Limit

1000 requests/day

Free Tier Usage

Up to 1,000 free requests per day per IP address.

Use Case: Best For

Developers building privacy-focused search capabilities, lightweight fact lookups, or knowledge widgets without heavy authentication or scaling requirements.

Not Recommended For

Projects needing high-frequency commercial use, enterprise-scale guaranteed SLAs, or proprietary/personalized search data.

Resources

Documentation Official Website Source Code Pricing Details Postman Collection
#privacy#search#answers

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