Definition
API rate limiting is a mechanism that restricts the number of requests a client can make to an API within a given time window, protecting the service from overload and ensuring fair usage across all consumers.
In Depth
Rate limits are typically expressed as requests per second, per minute, or per month. When a client exceeds the limit, the API returns a 429 Too Many Requests response. Proper rate limit handling involves respecting Retry-After headers, implementing exponential backoff, and queuing requests. For search APIs, rate limits vary widely between providers. Some charge per request regardless of rate, while others like Scavio use a credit-based system where the limit is on total monthly credits rather than requests per second. Understanding rate limiting is essential for building reliable data pipelines that do not break under production load.
Example Usage
A monitoring tool sends 100 concurrent requests to a SERP API and receives 429 errors on half of them. After implementing exponential backoff with jitter and respecting the Retry-After header, all requests complete successfully within the rate limit window.
Platforms
API Rate Limiting is relevant across the following platforms, all accessible through Scavio's unified API:
- Amazon
- YouTube
- Walmart
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