generated: '2026-08-13'
method: searched
source: https://docs.dataforseo.com/v3/appendix/sandbox/
docs:
  - https://docs.dataforseo.com/v3/appendix/sandbox/
  - https://dataforseo.com/help-center/dataforseo-sandbox-best-practises

summary: >-
  DataForSEO runs a full-surface free sandbox on a separate hostname. There are
  no test keys and no test-mode prefixes: the SAME production credentials are
  used, and the only change is the hostname. Every v3 path is available and the
  response shape is byte-for-byte the production shape — only the values are
  dummy data. This is a notably low-friction sandbox model for an agent to
  target: nothing about a request has to change except the host.

separation:
  model: separate-host
  live_host: https://api.dataforseo.com
  test_host: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com
  credential_separation: false
  credential_note: >-
    The same API login/password from https://app.dataforseo.com/api-access work
    against both hosts. There are no test-vs-live key prefixes.
  cost: free
  cost_note: Your account is not charged for Sandbox endpoints; available to any registered user.

usage:
  rule: >-
    Change the hostname in the request URL from api.dataforseo.com/v3/ to
    sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/. No code, path or POST-body changes are required.
  pattern: POST https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/$path
  path_field:
    name: path
    description: The API path of the endpoint you want to test
    example: serp/google/maps/task_post

magic_values:
  - value: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
    used_as: task id in a task_get request
    example: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/serp/google/organic/task_get/advanced/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
    effect: >-
      Returns a response containing EVERY available item type / SERP feature for
      that endpoint, with dummy field values. This is the documented way to see
      the full response schema of an endpoint without paying for a real call.

examples:
  - api: SERP
    task_post: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/serp/google/organic/task_post
    task_get: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/serp/google/organic/task_get/advanced/$id
  - api: Keywords Data
    task_post: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/keywords_data/google_ads/search_volume/task_post
    task_get: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/keywords_data/google_ads/search_volume/task_get/$id
  - api: Domain Analytics
    live: https://sandbox.dataforseo.com/v3/domain_analytics/technologies/aggregation_technologies/live
    note: Domain Analytics endpoints are live-only, so no separate GET is needed.

behaviour:
  data: >-
    Generic dummy data. The structure and fields of a sandbox response are
    identical to the production response; only the values are synthetic.
  webhooks: >-
    postback_url and pingback_url work in the Sandbox environment, so the full
    asynchronous task flow can be rehearsed end to end.
  rate_limits:
    same_as_production: true
    calls_per_minute: 2000
    tasks_per_post: 100
    live_tasks_per_post: 1
  error_when_unprepared:
    code: 40404
    message: no prepared data found. please contact our support team.
    detail: The Sandbox has no prepared response for the specific task you set.

api_playground:
  url: https://app.dataforseo.com/api-playground/
  note: >-
    Browser API Explorer for live requests. Rate-limited; a free account is
    required for unlimited access.

not_applicable:
  items:
    - test_cards
    - test_bank_accounts
    - test_clocks
    - decline_simulation
  reason: DataForSEO is a data API, not a payments or authorization provider.