serp.fast

Linkup

AI search with proprietary 'information-atom' indexing that licenses content from publishers rather than scraping it.

AI search APIs are the infrastructure layer that gives large language models access to current web information. Unlike traditional search engines, these APIs return semantically relevant, structured results optimized for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and AI agent workflows. They're essential for any AI product that needs to answer questions about the real world beyond its training data.

Features

JS Rendering
Structured Output
Open Source
Self-Hosted Option
Pricing:FreemiumSee pricing →

Editorial assessment

The ethical play in AI search — licensing content from publishers rather than scraping positions Linkup well as the legal landscape tightens. SOC2 Type II certified and backed by Gradient, but with only ~$13M in funding, the index depth can't match Exa or Brave yet. Best for teams that prioritize data provenance.

How Linkup compares

Exa

Exa has a deeper index and more mature product, but without Linkup's publisher licensing model.

Tavily

Tavily has broader framework adoption but lacks Linkup's ethical sourcing angle.

Brave Search API

Brave Search API offers index independence without the licensing overhead, but also without the publisher partnerships.

Frequently asked questions

What is Linkup?

AI search with proprietary 'information-atom' indexing that licenses content from publishers rather than scraping it. It falls under the AI-Native Search APIs category in our directory. Linkup is a commercial product.

How much does Linkup cost?

Linkup uses a freemium pricing model. There is a free tier available, with paid plans for higher usage.

What are the best alternatives to Linkup?

The top alternatives to Linkup include Exa, Tavily, Brave Search API. Each offers a different approach to ai-native search apis — see our comparison section above for detailed analysis.

Does Linkup support JavaScript rendering?

No, Linkup does not include built-in JavaScript rendering. For dynamic websites, you may need to pair it with a headless browser or choose a tool that includes JS rendering.

Does Linkup provide structured output?

Yes, Linkup returns structured output (typically JSON), making it straightforward to integrate into AI pipelines, RAG systems, and data processing workflows.

Can I self-host Linkup?

No, Linkup is a hosted service. You access it through their API or platform — there is no self-hosted deployment option.

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