# search.ch Scraper: Swiss Business Directory, Phones & Emails (`santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Swiss business listings from search.ch in all cantons: name, address, phone, email, website, opening hours and GPS. Pay per result.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [NanoScrape](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation
- **Features:** Limited permissions
- **Stats:** 37 total users, 3 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $3.00 / 1,000 search result scrapeds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## search.ch Business Scraper

Scrapes business listings from [search.ch](https://www.search.ch/), the Swiss business and phone directory.

### Features

- **SERP extraction**: Business name, address, phone, category, website
- **Detail pages**: Email (decoded from obfuscation), opening hours, fax, mobile
- **Pagination**: Automatically follows all result pages
- **Low memory**: HTTP-only, no browser; runs with 256 MB minimum and 512 MB maximum memory

### Use with AI Agents (MCP)

Connect this actor to any MCP-compatible AI client — Claude Desktop, Claude.ai, Cursor, VS Code, LangChain, LlamaIndex, or custom agents.

**Apify MCP server URL:**

```
https://mcp.apify.com?tools=santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper
```

**Example prompt once connected:**

> "Use `search-ch-scraper` to scrape company data from search ch. Return results as a table."

Clients that support dynamic tool discovery (Claude.ai, VS Code) will receive the full input schema automatically via `add-actor`.

### Input

| Field | Type | Default | Description |
|-------|------|---------|-------------|
| `query` | string | *required* | Business type / keyword (e.g., "Zahnarzt", "Restaurant") |
| `location` | string | - | City or region (e.g., "Zürich", "Bern") |
| `maxResults` | integer | 100 | Maximum results to return |
| `includeDetails` | boolean | true | Fetch detail pages for email, hours, etc. |

### Output

Each result includes:

- `name`, `category`, `description`
- `street`, `zip`, `city`, `canton`, `address`
- `phone`, `mobile`, `fax`, `email`
- `website`, `opening_hours`
- `latitude`, `longitude` (usually null: search.ch does not publish coordinates for most entries)
- `source_url`, `detail_url`, `scraped_at`
- `detail_status` (`ok`, `failed`, or null when detail mode is off)

### Pricing

| Event | Price |
|-------|-------|
| `directory-start` | Run start |
| `directory-serp-result` | $0.003/result |
| `directory-detail-result` | $0.005/result |

If a detail page can't be loaded, the row keeps the search-result data, is marked `detail_status: "failed"` and is charged as a search result.

### Enrichment add-ons

After the scrape completes, this actor can automatically trigger AI-powered extraction on every website found in the results. Each add-on runs as a separate actor and produces its own dataset.

#### Contact extraction

Extracts team member names, email addresses, phone numbers, positions, and departments from company websites. Powered by the [Website Contact Extractor](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/website-contact-extractor).

Enable it by setting `enableContactExtraction: true` and providing at least one LLM API key. The sub-actor run ID is stored in the key-value store as `CONTACT_EXTRACTOR_RUN_ID`.

#### Job listing extraction

Extracts open positions, job titles, locations, departments, and career page URLs from company websites. Powered by the [Website Job Extractor](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/website-job-extractor).

Enable it by setting `enableJobExtraction: true` and providing at least one LLM API key. The sub-actor run ID is stored in the key-value store as `JOB_EXTRACTOR_RUN_ID`.

#### Browser fallback

Some company websites are built with JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, Angular) that require a full browser to render. When `enableBrowserFallback` is set to `true`, the contact/job extractors will automatically re-scrape these sites with Playwright. This catches ~25% more sites but increases cost and runtime. Only applies when contact or job extraction is enabled.

#### LLM API keys

Both add-ons use LLMs to extract structured data. Provide one or more API keys. When multiple keys are provided, the system uses them in priority order with automatic fallback:

1. **Gemini** (recommended) -- Best quality-to-cost ratio. Free tier includes 1M tokens/min. Get a key at [Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey).
2. **Groq** (optional) -- Ultra-fast inference. Get a key at [Groq Console](https://console.groq.com/keys).
3. **OpenRouter** (optional) -- Access to 100+ models. Get a key at [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/keys).

One key is sufficient. With multiple keys, if the primary provider hits a rate limit, the system falls back to the next available provider automatically.

### Related Swiss actors

- [Zefix.ch Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/zefix-ch-scraper) -- Official Swiss commercial register
- [Moneyhouse.ch Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/moneyhouse-ch-scraper) -- Swiss company registry
- [Tutti.ch Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/tutti-ch-scraper) -- Swiss classifieds marketplace

Enrich the `website` field of your results with the [Website Email & Phone Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/website-email-scraper) or the [Website Contact Extractor](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/website-contact-extractor).

### Related Actors

**DACH Business Directories**

- [Gelbe Seiten Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/gelbeseiten-de-scraper) -- German Yellow Pages
- [wlw.de Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/wlw-de-scraper) -- German B2B supplier directory
- [Das Oertliche Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/dasoertliche-de-scraper) -- German phone directory
- [Herold.at Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/herold-at-scraper) -- Austrian Yellow Pages
- [FirmenABC.at Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/firmenabc-at-scraper) -- Austrian business directory
- [Europages Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/europages-scraper) -- 30+ European countries

**Enrich your leads**

- [Website Email & Phone Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/website-email-scraper) -- Extract emails and phones from company websites
- [Website Contact Extractor](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/website-contact-extractor) -- Extract team members and decision-makers
- [Google Maps Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/google-maps-scraper) -- Find businesses by location
- [Trustpilot Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/santamaria-automations/trustpilot-scraper) -- Get company reviews and ratings

### Data protection

This actor returns only data that is publicly visible on the source pages. Results can include personal data, such as names, phone numbers, email addresses and addresses of private persons, sole traders or contact persons. Where the source labels an entry type, it is included so you can filter the results yourself.

You are responsible for using the data lawfully, including the GDPR/DSGVO, national data-protection laws and unfair-competition rules (e.g. UWG) for marketing and outreach.

### Support

Found a bug or have a feature request? [Open an issue](https://console.apify.com/actors/v9ETBrllEEEHuIbJ8/issues).

# Actor input Schema

## `query` (type: `string`):

Business type or keyword (e.g., 'Zahnarzt', 'Restaurant', 'Elektriker')

## `location` (type: `string`):

City or region to search in (e.g., 'Zürich', 'Bern', 'Basel'). Leave empty for all of Switzerland.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of business listings to scrape

## `includeDetails` (type: `boolean`):

Fetch detail pages for each result (slower but includes email, opening hours, description)

## `includePrivateEntries` (type: `boolean`):

After the business entries, also list private (residential) entries of the same search. Each row has entry_type (business or private). Switch off to get business entries only: private entries are then dropped before output and are never charged.

## `enableContactExtraction` (type: `boolean`):

After scraping, automatically extract contacts (names, emails, phone numbers) from each company's website using AI. Requires at least one LLM API key.

## `enableJobExtraction` (type: `boolean`):

After scraping, automatically extract job listings from each company's website/career page using AI. Requires at least one LLM API key.

## `enableBrowserFallback` (type: `boolean`):

When contact or job extraction is enabled: automatically re-scrape websites that require JavaScript (React, Vue, Angular) with a full browser. Higher cost but catches ~25% more sites.

## `outputLanguage` (type: `string`):

Language for AI-extracted text fields. Passed to Contact/Job extraction add-ons.

## `geminiApiKey` (type: `string`):

Google Gemini Flash — best quality/cost ratio, 1M tokens/min free tier. Get a key at https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey

## `groqApiKey` (type: `string`):

Groq — ultra-fast inference. Used as fallback if Gemini key is also provided.

## `openrouterApiKey` (type: `string`):

OpenRouter — access to 100+ models. Used as last fallback.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "query": "Zahnarzt",
  "location": "Zürich",
  "maxResults": 10,
  "includeDetails": true,
  "includePrivateEntries": true,
  "enableContactExtraction": false,
  "enableJobExtraction": false,
  "enableBrowserFallback": false,
  "outputLanguage": "en"
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `businessListings` (type: `string`):

Dataset containing scraped business listings

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "query": "Zahnarzt",
    "location": "Zürich",
    "maxResults": 10
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "query": "Zahnarzt",
    "location": "Zürich",
    "maxResults": 10,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "query": "Zahnarzt",
  "location": "Zürich",
  "maxResults": 10
}' |
apify call santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,santamaria-automations/search-ch-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/v9ETBrllEEEHuIbJ8/builds/QGh8mQp7BMDfnkk9l/openapi.json