[Google Search API] Requests timing out while using tbm=nws with advanced parameters

Update timeline

1. investigating Aug 26, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

   Google searches with the tbm=nws parameter are currently timing out. We're investigating the issue and will follow up with updates. https://github.com/serpapi/public-roadmap/issues/4185

2. investigating Sep 19, 2026, 11:33 PM UTC

   We're continuing to investigate this issue. We'll keep you updated as soon as we have any progress or new information to share.

3. identified Oct 12, 2026, 08:49 AM UTC

   We're working on implementing a fix. The team noticed that the advanced inline site: operator is no longer supported in the Google Search API when using the tbm=nws flag. We recommend switching to our Google News API (https://serpapi.com/google-news-api) or dropping the site: parameter from nws searches. We'll follow up as soon as we have additional updates.

4. identified Oct 16, 2026, 09:00 PM UTC

   As mentioned earlier, Google doesn't serve the News tab (tbm=nws) for site: queries to signed-out users anymore. We have updated our documentation to reflect this: https://serpapi.com/search-api#api-parameters-search-query-q Those searches now result in an appropriate error message instead of timing out. You can specify example.com instead of site:example.com in your query as a workaround, or use the Google News API. We are still working on addressing requests failing with queries containing other advanced parameters such as AND and OR.

5. resolved Oct 19, 2026, 01:56 AM UTC

   Google searches using tbm=nws along with advanced parameters are now working normally. Note that Google no longer supports the site: operator for tbm=nws searches by signed-out users. Requests that use this combination will return an error message. Alternate solution is to use Google News API or other News APIs such as Bing News API, DuckDuckGo API. Separately, some requests with advanced parameters (with or without tbm=nws) are timing out. We are tracking that here: https://status.serpapi.com/incidents/pts4x92phsq8, and updates will be posted on that page. We appreciate your patience. If you have questions or need help, kindly reach out to us on [email protected].