API is a programming interface and it stands for Application Programming Interface. Google provided this since 2002 and allows other providers to access the index with the programs they’ve created. Before 2002 the access wasn’t permitted and it even led to complaints. API is a free beta-interface. Google anchored in its terms of use, that this interface can be used by individuals for private purposes. So, every software-developer, who uses API, has to declare at first that he acts in terms of Google and so, does not violate the law. When using the API interface, the search engine gets transparent. For more information go to www.google.de/apis