Low Risk

google_search

Tool to perform web searches via Serper API and retrieve rich results. It is able to retrieve organic search results, people also ask, related searches, and knowledge graph.

High parameter count (19 properties)

Part of the Serper Search and Scrape MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.

AI agents call google_search to retrieve information from Serper Search and Scrape without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

Even though google_search only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

tahaswx-mcp-server-serper-test.yaml
tools:
  google_search:
    rules:
      - action: allow

See the full Serper Search and Scrape policy for all 2 tools.

Tool Name google_search
Category Read
Risk Level Low

Agents calling read-class tools like google_search have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Other tools in the Read risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, allow) apply to each.

What does the google_search tool do? +

Tool to perform web searches via Serper API and retrieve rich results. It is able to retrieve organic search results, people also ask, related searches, and knowledge graph.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Serper Search and Scrape MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on google_search? +

Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for google_search. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Serper Search and Scrape MCP server.

What risk level is google_search? +

google_search is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit google_search? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the google_search rule in your Intercept policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block google_search completely? +

Set action: deny in the Intercept policy for google_search. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides google_search? +

google_search is provided by the Serper Search and Scrape MCP server (tahaswx/mcp-server-serper-test). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policies on Serper Search and Scrape

Open source. One binary. Zero dependencies.

npx -y @policylayer/intercept
github.com/policylayer/intercept →
// GET IN TOUCH

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