# Pixabay Alternative MCP

> Pixabay Alternative MCP Server lets your AI client pull millions of royalty-free images, illustrations, and videos directly from Pixabay's library. Just tell it what you need—whether it’s a horizontal shot for a header or a vertical vector graphic for an app prototype. It handles all the filtering (color, dimension, rating) so you get perfect assets fast.

## Overview
- **Category:** design-creative
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** stock-photos, royalty-free, media-search, vector-graphics, video-assets

## Description

You're hooking up your AI client to this server so it can pull millions of royalty-free images, illustrations, and videos directly from Pixabay's massive library. Don't waste time scrolling through junk; just tell your agent what you need. 

The `search_images` tool lets your agent dig into photos, vectors, and general illustrations based on specific criteria you throw at it. You can filter the results by orientation—say, you need a perfect horizontal shot for a website header or a vertical vector graphic for an app mockup. The system runs filters for color scheme, category type, and even minimum dimensions so you only get assets that fit your exact specs.

For video content, run `search_videos`. This tool searches Pixabay's entire catalog of high-quality film clips and animations using natural language queries. You can pinpoint professional footage needed for web projects or video editing tasks.

When searching either images or videos, you don't have to settle for anything less than the best. The agent applies the 'Editor's Choice' filter, which means your results come from assets already vetted by the Pixabay community, guaranteeing high quality right out of the gate. You can also refine search dimensions and asset type—you might limit it strictly to a minimum resolution or require a vector format for scalability.

Safety's mandatory here; the server enables SafeSearch filters on every query so you know that all retrieved media is appropriate for any general audience. These tools give your agent the control needed to ensure perfect assets fast.

When setting up, make sure you subscribe to this server on Vinkius and input your Pixabay API Key into the environment variables. Once that's done, your AI client can immediately run either `search_images` or `search_videos` whenever it needs a visual asset.

## Tools

### search_images
Searches the Pixabay library for photos, illustrations, and vector graphics based on your criteria.

### search_videos
Searches the Pixabay video catalog for high-quality film clips and animations.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Search for high-quality photos of futuristic cities in nature with a horizontal orientation.
```

**Response:** 
```
I've found several stunning horizontal photos of futuristic cities integrated with nature. Here are the top results from Pixabay, including a lush green metropolis and a sustainable urban landscape.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Find vertical vector illustrations of coffee beans for a mobile app design.
```

**Response:** 
```
I've retrieved vertical vector illustrations of coffee beans. These are perfect for mobile layouts and can be scaled without losing quality. Would you like to see the direct download links?
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Search for Editor's Choice videos of ocean waves or surfing.
```

**Response:** 
```
I've filtered for the best cinematic clips of ocean waves and surfing awarded with Editor's Choice. I found 3 high-quality films showing slow-motion breaks and professional surfing footage.
```

## Capabilities

### Search images by specific criteria
The agent runs `search_images` to find photos and illustrations using filters for orientation, color, category, and minimum dimensions.

### Find video clips
The agent runs `search_videos` to locate professional film clips and animations based on natural language queries.

### Filter results by quality rating
It applies the 'Editor's Choice' filter, ensuring you only get high-quality assets vetted by the Pixabay community.

### Refine search dimensions and type
You can limit results to specific technical requirements, like minimum resolution or vector format.

### Ensure content safety
The server enables SafeSearch filters to guarantee that all retrieved media is appropriate for general audiences.

## Use Cases

### Building a blog post with featured media
The content marketer needs two things: a wide, horizontal image for the hero banner and a short, looping video clip for an embedded background. They ask their agent to run `search_images` first (filtering for landscape orientation), then follow up with `search_videos` (for cinematic clips). The problem is solved in three lines of conversation.

### Creating a mobile app mockup
The designer needs several small, vertical vector illustrations of coffee beans. Instead of searching for 'coffee' and manually scaling vectors, they ask the agent to run `search_images`, specifying 'vertical orientation' and 'vector graphic.' The tool retrieves perfectly sized assets ready for placement.

### Preparing a marketing presentation
The team needs high-impact visuals of ocean waves. They tell their agent to run `search_videos`, specifically requesting clips tagged with 'Editor's Choice.' The AI filters the massive catalog and returns three professional, slow-motion options for immediate use in the deck.

### Populating a development prototype
The developer needs placeholder assets to test UI layouts. They ask the agent to find 'placeholder tech illustrations' using `search_images`, and then follow up asking for 'dummy background B-roll' using `search_videos`. Both tools populate the prototype instantly.

## Benefits

- You get perfect dimensions every time. The server allows you to filter results by minimum size, orientation (horizontal/vertical), and specific media type, so the assets fit your layout immediately.
- Save time on quality control. By filtering for 'Editor's Choice,' you cut through the noise and only see professionally vetted assets, making your final product look polished.
- You don't have to switch tools or tabs. Your AI client handles all the searching—using `search_images` or `search_videos`—right where you are writing code or drafting copy.
- The media is safe for clients. Enabling SafeSearch filters ensures that every image and video asset returned is appropriate for general use, removing compliance headaches.
- It works in one command. Instead of navigating category > filter > search, you just ask: 'Find a cinematic slow-motion video of waves.' The tool handles the complexity.

## How It Works

The bottom line is that your AI client finds the perfect visual asset by executing a tool call against Pixabay's full catalog, without you ever leaving your chat window.

1. Subscribe to the Pixabay Alternative MCP Server and provide your API Key.
2. Ask your AI client (e.g., 'Find horizontal images of futuristic cities').
3. The agent executes `search_images` or `search_videos`, returns filtered results, and provides direct download links.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I use the search_images tool with specific dimensions?**
You include dimension requirements in your prompt when calling `search_images`. For example: 'Search for images that are at least 1920x1080 pixels.' The tool filters results based on those minimum size metrics.

**Can I find animated GIFs using the search_videos tool?**
While `search_videos` focuses on film clips and animations, you can often refine your search query to specify 'animated' or 'looping background.' Always check the output for specific format details.

**Do I need an API key to use the search_images tool?**
Yes. You must subscribe and provide a valid Pixabay API Key when setting up this server. The agent needs that credential to access the library data.

**Is there a way to find only 'Editor's Choice' videos using search_videos?**
Yes, you can request it in your prompt. By mentioning the 'Editor's Choice' filter, the agent will narrow down `search_videos` results to those highly-rated assets.

**What limits govern how often I can use the search_images tool?**
The server adheres to established API rate limits. If you hit a quota, your AI client will receive a specific 'rate limit exceeded' error message instead of results. This prevents unexpected failures and tells your agent exactly when to slow down.

**When I run search_videos, what kind of data does the MCP tool return?**
The output is a structured JSON object containing essential metadata for every asset found. You get title, dimensions, category tags, and direct download URLs. This structure lets your agent process the results programmatically.

**If I use search_images with contradictory filters, what error should I expect?**
The tool returns a 'no match found' status code. The response body will contain an explicit message detailing which filter combination failed or was too restrictive for the current query. This helps your workflow debug bad inputs fast.

**How do I combine search_images with other data sources in my agent?**
You connect this tool to any compatible AI client, allowing you to chain actions. Your agent uses the results from `search_images` (e.g., a found asset ID) as input for subsequent steps or external processes.

**Can I filter specifically for illustrations or vector graphics instead of photos?**
Yes! When using the `search_images` tool, you can set the `image_type` parameter to 'illustration' or 'vector' to narrow down your results to specific artistic formats.

**How do I ensure I only get the highest quality images recommended by Pixabay?**
You can set the `editors_choice` parameter to `true` in both `search_images` and `search_videos` tools. This filters the results to show only assets that have received the Editor's Choice award.

**Is it possible to search for videos and animations as well?**
Absolutely. Use the `search_videos` tool to find video clips. You can further filter by `video_type` to choose between 'film' (live action) or 'animation'.