API routes to return json from controllers that return view

It might sound silly, but I never had interaction with API stuff until now. I need to prepare API routes for the app, I tried using the middleware group for the API header to return JSON of the model, but it always returns the whole HTML view.

I just copy/pasted web.php to api.php routes.

My question is if there is a way to get a JSON from a model when the return is view?

my current controller

    public function index() {
        $products = Product::paginate(30);
        
        return view('products.products', compact('products'));

    }

or do I have to create a separate controller for all API routes that will be called like this and middleware group passes as JSON?

    public function index() {
        $products = Product::paginate(30);
        
        return  $products;

    }