# Majestic API vs Semrush API + MCP

> Semrush scores 53.1 (D) to Majestic's 33.4 (F) for backlink data. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.

- Canonical: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/majestic-vs-semrush
- Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/majestic-vs-semrush.md (~2,350 tokens)
- Slim: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/majestic-vs-semrush.min.md (~680 tokens, same facts, less prose, for token-sensitive contexts)
- JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/majestic-vs-semrush.json (this page as data, same URL with Accept: application/json)
- Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (full text: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt)
- API: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json
- Updated: 2026-10-09

Semrush API + MCP scores 53.1 (D) on agent readiness against Majestic API's 33.4 (F), and leads in every scored category. Both do backlink data.

- Majestic API: grade F, 33.4/100, rank #937 of 950. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/majestic.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/majestic.json
- Semrush API + MCP: grade D, 53.1/100, rank #721 of 950. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/semrush.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/semrush.json
- Best SEO and search visibility data for AI agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/seo/index.md
- All 45 seo comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/seo/index.md

## Which one, for what

### Majestic API (F)

Good for: An agent that needs backlink, referring domain, anchor text and Trust Flow data in volume for an owner who already pays for the API plan.

Watch for: Clause 14.1(f) of the supply terms forbids querying Majestic's database or servers with automated tools without prior permission. This matters before any probe is run

### Semrush API + MCP (D)

Good for: Teams already paying for Semrush who want an agent to pull keyword, backlink, ranking and traffic estimates in one place, mainly through the MCP server.

Ahead on:
- Reliability, 34 against 17
- Schema & documentation, 70 against 44
- Agent ergonomics, 77 against 54
- Security & auth, 54 against 32
- Maintenance & community, 57 against 22
- Transparency & trust, 67 against 53

Watch for: Domain, URL, Trends, Position Tracking and Site Audit reports are version 3 only, where the one key is a URL parameter and can't be revoked


## Score by category

| Category | Weight | Majestic API | Semrush API + MCP | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 17 | 34 | Semrush API + MCP +17 |
| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 44 | 70 | Semrush API + MCP +26 |
| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 54 | 77 | Semrush API + MCP +23 |
| Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 32 | 54 | Semrush API + MCP +22 |
| Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 15 | 17 | Semrush API + MCP +2 |
| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 22 | 57 | Semrush API + MCP +35 |
| Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 53 | 67 | Semrush API + MCP +14 |
| Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | 0 | |
| **Total** | | **33.4 · F** | **53.1 · D** | |

## Facts side by side

| Fact | Majestic API | Semrush API + MCP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind | HTTP API | HTTP API |
| Vendor | Majestic (Majestic-12 Limited) | Semrush Inc. (an Adobe company) |
| Hosted endpoint | `https://api.majestic.com` | `https://api.semrush.com` |
| Transports | HTTP | HTTP, Streamable HTTP |
| Auth | API key | OAuth or key |
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| x402 | no | no |
| Licence | Proprietary service under Majestic's Terms and Conditions. The Python 3 connector on GitHub carries a BSD-style licence file | Proprietary service under the Semrush terms of service |
| Tools exposed | none | 14 |
| Read-only variant documented | no | yes |
| llms.txt | yes | yes |
| Last release | none | 2026-09-04 |
| Terms last updated | no date given | 2026-08-25 |
| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-04-01 | 2025-10-13 |
| Customer content may train models | not found in the text | not found in the text |
| Terms restrict automated access | yes | yes |
| Terms restrict benchmarking | not found in the text | yes |
| Terms or service can change without notice | yes | not found in the text |
| Arbitration or class-action waiver | not found in the text | yes |
| Popularity | 3 stars | none |

## Verdicts

**Majestic API.** Each command's cost in units is published and a sandbox endpoint returns sample data without spending allowance. API access starts at $399.99 a month with no trial, and no OpenAPI file, status page, numeric rate limit, SLA or API changelog was found. The supply terms require permission before querying with automated tools.

**Semrush API + MCP.** The hosted MCP server exposes 14 tools that load a report's parameters on demand, and version 4 API keys can be read-only, time-limited and revoked. Most reports still sit in version 3, whose single key travels in the URL and can't be revoked. No status page, OpenAPI file or API unit price was found.

## Before you call either

### Majestic API

1. Send requests by HTTPS POST with `app_api_key` in the body. The docs show GET URLs for demonstration only and plain HTTP still works
2. Always set `datasource=fresh` or `datasource=historic`. Without it the Historic Index is used when the plan includes it
3. Call `GetSubscriptionInfo` (no cost) before a large pull. `GetBackLinkData` spends 5,000 analysis units a call plus one retrieval unit a row
4. Read columns by header name, not position. The docs say column order can change between requests and Majestic may vary rows and columns at any time
5. Develop against `https://developer.majestic.com/api/json`, which costs no units, then switch the host to `api.majestic.com`
6. Ask the owner to confirm Majestic's permission for automated querying first. Clause 14.1(f) of the terms requires it

### Semrush API + MCP

1. Use the MCP server at https://mcp.semrush.com/v2/mcp where the host supports it. Call a discovery tool, then `get_report_schema`, then `execute_report`
2. Set `limit` or `display_limit` on every per-line report. A backlinks row costs 40 to 45 units and a historical keyword row 50
3. Check the unit balance before large pulls. A per-line report returns only the lines the balance covers, with no error
4. Send the version 4 key as `Authorization: Apikey <key>`, never as `?key=`. Version 3 accepts only the query parameter, so keep those URLs out of logs
5. Stay under 10 requests a second and 10 concurrent requests per account, and retry only when `error.retryable` is true

## Questions

### Which is better for AI agents, Majestic API or Semrush API + MCP?

Semrush API + MCP scores 53.1 (D) on agent readiness against Majestic API's 33.4 (F), and leads in every scored category.

### Do Majestic API and Semrush API + MCP need an API key?

Majestic API needs an API key. Semrush API + MCP takes an API key or an OAuth sign-in.

### Can an agent call Majestic API and Semrush API + MCP without installing anything?

Yes. Majestic API has a hosted endpoint at https://api.majestic.com and Semrush API + MCP at https://api.semrush.com.


## For agents

- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/majestic-vs-semrush.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/majestic-vs-semrush.min.md
- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "majestic", "b": "semrush"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare majestic semrush`
- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/majestic.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/semrush.json

## Other comparisons with Majestic API or Semrush API + MCP

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- [Ahrefs vs Semrush API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ahrefs-vs-semrush.md)
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- [Google Search Console API vs Semrush API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-search-console-vs-semrush.md)
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