---
title: "What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)?"
url: "https://lookvalid.com/glossary/mcp.md"
canonical_url: "https://lookvalid.com/glossary/mcp"
last_updated: "2026-10-18"
type: "conceptual"
summary: "The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that lets AI assistants and agents call outside tools and data sources through one consistent interface."
related: ["https://lookvalid.com/glossary/data-enrichment.md"]
---

# What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)?

The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that lets AI assistants and agents call outside tools and data sources through one consistent interface.

An MCP server lists the tools it offers, with a description and input shape for each, and the AI client chooses when to call them. That removes the need to write a custom integration for every assistant.

LookValid exposes its lookups as MCP tools, so an agent can validate a phone number or check a domain using the same API key and credit balance as any other call.

## Related

- [What is Data enrichment?](https://lookvalid.com/glossary/data-enrichment.md)