To ensure fair usage and optimal performance of the API, certain limitations are enforced. Exceeding these limits can result in temporary suspension of access, so it is important to understand and monitor your usage carefully.
Request Limits
• The maximum number of requests allowed is 10,000 per hour per API key.
• If you exceed this limit, your API key may be temporarily suspended for up to 24 hours. This is a protective measure to ensure the API remains stable and available for all users.
To avoid reaching the limit, consider implementing the following best practices:
1. Monitor Your Request Usage: Keep track of the number of requests you are making to stay within the allowed threshold.
2. Optimize Your Requests: Combine data retrieval where possible to reduce the number of requests. Use batch processing when supported by the API.
3. Implement Rate Limiting: Integrate a delay or queuing mechanism in your application to prevent overloading the API with rapid-fire requests.
4. Handle Rate Limit Errors Gracefully: If your request limit is exceeded, the API will return an appropriate error code (e.g., HTTP 429 – Too Many Requests). Ensure your application can handle these errors and pause or retry requests after the suspension period.
Secure Requests Over HTTPS
All API requests must be made over HTTPS to ensure security and data integrity. Any requests made over plain HTTP will automatically fail. HTTPS encrypts the communication between your application and the API server, protecting sensitive information such as your API key and any transmitted data.
Authentication Is Mandatory
• API requests without authentication will fail.
• You must include your API key or access token in the request headers, as specified in the API documentation.
• Proper authentication ensures that your requests are authorized and can be tracked for usage monitoring and rate limiting.
Key Takeaways
1. Stay within the 10,000 requests per hour limit to avoid a 24-hour suspension.
2. Use HTTPS for all requests; HTTP is not supported and will fail.
3. Ensure that every request is properly authenticated using your unique API credentials.
By adhering to these guidelines and implementing best practices, you can maintain seamless access to the API, avoid interruptions, and ensure secure and efficient usage.