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Browser automation · MCP server

Google News: MCP server, setup and security

Google News is an open-source MCP server that lets an AI agent search Google News, retrieve top stories, and read articles. Its repository has 384 stars and its last commit is from October 15, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.

Score
71/100
Adoption (stars) 26/40
Maintenance 30/30
Framework (licence, registry, official) 15/30
Actively maintainedSystem access

What Google News does

According to its repository: “Search Google News, get top stories and read articles. No API key or headless browser.”

An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Google News is listed under Browser automation, a category of 109 servers in the directory, where it ranks #32 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: google-news, google-news-scraper, news-scraper, news-articles, web-scraper, web-crawler.

Installing and connecting Google News

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx)

Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: JavaScript.

Security: what to check

An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.

Points found for Google News:

  • System access: the Browser automation category gives the agent control over files, a terminal, code or a browser. A booby-trapped instruction in content the agent reads (prompt injection) can then turn into an action.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on January 27, 2020, the lewisdonovan/google-news-scraper repository has 384 stars and 70 forks, with 0 open issues. It has more stars than 85% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.1.2 (October 15, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

Browser useBrowser use : 119K119KScrapling MCP ServerScrapling MCP Server : 89.4K89.4KChrome DevTools MCPChrome DevTools MCP : 54.1K54.1KMCP server browserMCP server browser : 39.4K39.4KPlaywright MCPPlaywright MCP : 38.6K38.6KBrowserBrowser : 36.9K36.9KSkyvernSkyvern : 23.3K23.3KSeleniumBase MCPSeleniumBase MCP : 13.1K13.1KGoogle NewsGoogle News : 384384
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); Google News in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

Google News is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Widely followed: 384 stars
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Permissive licence (MIT)

Avoid if…

  • You cannot isolate the agent (sandbox, container)

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Google News?

Google News is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of lewisdonovan/google-news-scraper.

Is Google News free?

The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge.

Is Google News safe?

Points to watch: system access. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.

Is it an official server?

Nothing says so: it is a project published by lewisdonovan on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.

What are the alternatives to Google News?

In the same category: Firecrawl MCP Server, Browser use, MCP server browser, and Playwright MCP. Firecrawl MCP Server and Browser use score higher on our grid.

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