---
title: "Choose how your app reads search data"
description: "Pick direct Google or Bing calls, or hosted gscdump data."
canonical_url: "https://gscdump.com/gscdump-sdk/guides/start/choose-access"
last_updated: "2026-10-03T07:15:32.070Z"
---

# Choose how your app reads search data

Direct clients call Google or Bing. Hosted clients read gscdump data. Choose the source for your first request.

## What data do you need?

::table{tabindex="0"}
| Path                   | Use it for                                                           | Credential                                   | Package        |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | -------------- |
| Direct Google and Bing | Live Search Console or Bing Webmaster calls                          | Google OAuth access token or Bing credential | `gscdump`      |
| Hosted gscdump data    | Analytics rows, Reports, saved Indexing Evidence, sitemaps, realtime | gscdump user API key                         | `@gscdump/sdk` |
::

<docspathchoice title="Choose access" first-label="Direct" first-requirement="Google or Bing credentials" first-to="/gscdump-sdk/guides/start/direct-first-result" second-label="Hosted" second-requirement="gscdump Site and API key" second-to="/gscdump-sdk/guides/start/hosted-first-result"></docspathchoice>

### Direct Google and Bing

Your server calls the Search Engine API. You manage OAuth, quotas, and saved history. Start by [listing your Google Sites](/gscdump-sdk/guides/start/direct-first-result). The [direct client reference](/gscdump-sdk/api/direct-client) lists imports.

### Hosted gscdump data

Your server calls gscdump with an API key. Hosted data can include synced history and Site observations. Start with [hosted analytics rows](/gscdump-sdk/guides/start/hosted-first-result). The [hosted HTTP reference](/gscdump-sdk/api/hosted-http) names each operation.

## Check credentials and ownership

The direct path needs a Google grant for a Site or a Bing credential. The hosted path needs a user API key and authorization for the exact `siteId`. Keep each credential on a server.

If hosted access fails, check [keys and scopes](/gscdump-sdk/guides/operate/keys-and-scopes). If a direct Site list is empty, check the Search Console grant and Site permissions.

The [read data guides](/gscdump-sdk/guides/read-data) show the next method after your first request.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.