Google API and SEO

[rakeshraushan]

Can anyone explain to me the relationship between SEO software that
does not use the API (like IBP at www.axandra.com) or SEO software that
does such as SEO Tool Kit (http://www.cmsnx.com/product.about.php?id=9)
and particularly getting Google's permission to use the API in a
commercial manner, i.e., an SEO using it to run queries for stipendiary
clients?

[LenaN]

What do you mean under relationship? Are you trying to say that using Google API key is illegal? Hm... but basically SEO is all against Google's will.
Definitely, all you have to think about is how much more convenient and how much faster your search gets when you can use the API key.
If you take Link-Assistant.Com's Rank Tracker or SEO SpyGlass for example, they're way quicker than IBP, as they use Google, Yahoo and MSN API keys.

BTW, you should note that the Google API key we're talking about is the SOAP API key (which is no longer getting distributed, so if you have it you're lucky, and if you don't have it, I'd just not bother if I were you ). However Yahoo! and MSN API keys are still free to get.