canonical: https://jentic.com/apis/pixabay.com/pixabay # Pixabay API The Pixabay API searches a library of millions of royalty-free stock images and videos shared by its community. It returns results filtered by keyword, image type, category, and colors, with direct URLs to several resolutions. All media is released under the Pixabay License, so results are safe to use without attribution. ## For AI agents Search millions of royalty-free stock images and videos by keyword, filter by type, category, and colors, and get direct URLs to multiple resolutions. All media is free to use under the Pixabay License. ## Scope Does not handle image editing, hosting, or transformation. Use for stock image and video search only. ## Capabilities - Search millions of royalty-free stock images by keyword - Search stock videos by keyword - Filter image results by type, category, and colors - Retrieve direct URLs to several image and video resolutions ## Use cases ### AI Media Sourcing Agent An AI agent connected to Pixabay through Jentic can source illustration imagery for content it generates by searching the library and picking results that match a topic and color palette. Because every result is released under the Pixabay License, the agent can use the media without clearing rights. Example prompt: Search for landscape photos matching a keyword, filter by a dominant color, and return the highest-resolution image URL ### Stock Image Search Search Pixabay for stock photos and illustrations by keyword and refine with image type, category, and color filters. The API returns direct URLs to preview and full-resolution versions so an application can embed the right asset. Example prompt: Search for illustrations of a subject, restrict results to the vector image type, and return the first result URL ### Stock Video Search Find royalty-free stock video clips by keyword for use in content and presentations. Pixabay returns video results with URLs to several resolutions, all free to use under the Pixabay License. Example prompt: Search for short clips matching a keyword and return the medium-resolution video URL ## Key resources - **Images** — Keyword search over stock photos and illustrations with type, category, and color filters - **Videos** — Keyword search over royalty-free stock video clips ## AI readiness This API is usable in Jentic One now. Its AI-readiness score against Jentic's framework shows where it stands today and where improvements would make it even easier for agents to use. - **Score:** 45 / 100 - **Maturity:** Foundational - **Dimensions:** - Foundational Compliance: 74 / 100 - Developer Experience & Jentic Compatibility: 63 / 100 - AI-Readiness & Agent Experience: 45 / 100 - Agent Usability: 94 / 100 - Security: 15 / 100 - AI Discoverability: 63 / 100 - **View full report:** https://jentic.com/apis/pixabay.com/pixabay/scorecard - **How the score is calculated:** https://docs.jentic.com/reference/api-readiness-framework/overview/ - **More about the dimensions:** https://docs.jentic.com/reference/api-readiness-framework/specification/#dimensional-model-overview ### Score it yourself Every API in the directory is allowlisted, so you can re-score it with no key required. - **Score your own API:** https://jentic.com/scorecard.md - **Scoring CLI agent skill:** https://github.com/jentic/jentic-api-scorecard/blob/main/skills/jentic-api-scorecard/SKILL.md ```sh npx @jentic/api-scorecard-cli score ``` ## Why Jentic - **Setup:** Wiring Pixabay by hand means passing its API key on every request and shaping the image and video search parameters yourself. Through Jentic you install once, import Pixabay from the API Directory, store the key once, and your agent calls it. - **Permission scoping:** Pixabay carries its search terms in the query string, so a rule bounds which operations your agent may call rather than which query. A rule can allow image search while leaving video search out unless you add it. - **Credential handling:** Your Pixabay API key is stored once, encrypted, by your own Jentic One instance and injected at execution time. It never enters the agent's prompt, logs, or context. - **Discovery method:** Agents search Jentic by intent such as 'find a stock photo', and Jentic returns the matching Pixabay search operation with its input schema so the agent passes the right query. ## Related APIs - **Pexels** — Free stock photos and videos API, similar to Pixabay's royalty-free library. - **Shutterstock** — Large paid stock library with licensing, where Pixabay is free under its own license. - **Cloudinary Upload API** — Uploads, transforms, and hosts images, complementing Pixabay's stock media search. ## FAQ ### Is there a Pixabay MCP server? You don't need an MCP server to give your agent the Pixabay API. Jentic connects it directly from the API Directory: import it, store your API key once, and your agent can search images and videos. Operations are discovered on demand, so your agent's context stays lean. ### Can I limit what my agent is allowed to do with the Pixabay API? Yes. Pixabay carries its search terms in the query string, so a rule bounds which operations your agent may call. Write a rule that allows only image search, so the agent can find photos but cannot run video search unless you add that operation, and every call is logged. ### What authentication does the Pixabay API use? The Pixabay API authenticates with an API key passed as the key query parameter per its OpenAPI spec; you get a free key from the Pixabay documentation. With Jentic, the key is stored encrypted by your own Jentic One instance and injected at call time. ### Can I search for stock videos with the Pixabay API? Yes. The videos endpoint searches royalty-free stock video clips by keyword and returns URLs to several resolutions. Like image results, every clip is released under the Pixabay License and free to use. ### What are the rate limits for the Pixabay API? The OpenAPI spec does not specify rate limits. Check the Pixabay documentation at https://pixabay.com/api/docs/ for current limits before running high-volume searches. ### How do I search for a stock photo with the Pixabay API through Jentic? Import the Pixabay API from the Jentic API Directory, store your API key once, and have your agent search by intent such as 'search for stock photos'. Jentic returns the image search operation with its input schema, and your agent passes the keyword and filters. To run it on your own infrastructure, install Jentic One from its GitHub repo.