---
ref: tool:intercom/search-contacts
name: Search contacts
company: company:intercom
workflows: []
access: [mcp, api]
tags: [capability:manage-crm, category:support, has:api, has:mcp]
docs: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api.intercom.io/contacts/searchcontacts
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Search contacts

Returns the users and leads whose attributes, such as email, email domain, name, phone or a custom attribute, match your filters.

The API takes a `query` of field, operator and value filters joined with `AND`
or `OR` (up to 15 filters per group and 2 levels of nesting) and returns 50
contacts per page by default; page with `starting_after`. A contact created in
the last few minutes may not show up yet, and merged contacts never do.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "intercom": { "url": "https://mcp.intercom.com/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `search_contacts`.

Server URL: https://mcp.intercom.com/mcp

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.intercom.io
- Endpoint: `POST /contacts/search`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $INTERCOM_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://app.intercom.io/a/apps/_/developer-hub/app-packages
- Docs: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api.intercom.io

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.