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Blogger API Essential Guide

Aug 7, 20246 minute read

What type of API does Blogger provide?

Blogger API Type

  • Blogger has a REST API.

  • The Blogger API enables developers to integrate Blogger content with their applications using REST APIs.

Key Details

  • Requests to the Blogger API use standard REST conventions, like GET requests to retrieve data.

  • The API uses standard REST endpoints, for example:

    • GET https://www.googleapis.com/blogger/v3/blogs/{blogId} to retrieve a blog
    • GET https://www.googleapis.com/blogger/v3/blogs/{blogId}/posts to retrieve posts
  • It follows REST principles like using HTTP methods (GET, POST, etc.) and having resources identified by URLs.

  • Authentication is done via OAuth 2.0, which is common for REST APIs.

Best Practices

  • The API uses API keys for authentication of public data requests.

  • It supports standard query parameters common to REST APIs.

  • Responses are returned in JSON format, typical for REST APIs.

In summary, the Blogger API is clearly designed as a REST API, following REST architectural principles and best practices for web APIs.

Does the Blogger API have webhooks?

Based on the search results, it appears that the official Blogger API does not have webhooks. The API uses a REST API model rather than webhooks, and the API documentation does not mention any webhook functionality. Webhooks are typically used for real-time notifications when events occur, but the Blogger API does not seem to offer this type of event-based notification system. To get updates from a Blogger blog using the API, you would need to periodically poll the relevant endpoints to check for new or changed data. If real-time notifications are needed, you may need to explore third-party solutions or alternative approaches outside of the official API.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Here are the key points about the API Rate Limits for the Blogger API:

Request Limits

  • 10,000 requests (list/search/get) per day [1]
  • 100 requests per 100 seconds per user (or per unique IP address) [1]

Additional Details

  • These limits apply to reading operations like list, search, and get requests [1]
  • The limits may be modifiable based on preference and performance [1]
  • Users can monitor their API usage through the Google Developers Console [1]

Authentication and API Keys

  • Requests for public data must include either an API key or an OAuth 2.0 token [3]
  • Requests for private data require authentication with an OAuth 2.0 token [3]
  • Even for public data requests, providing an API key is necessary [3]

Best Practices

  • Monitor your API usage through the provider's dashboard or specific endpoints [4]
  • Understand the specific rate limits for your use case, as they can vary based on endpoints, authentication, and subscription level [4]
  • Track your remaining requests and reset times using response headers or dedicated endpoints [4]

Additional Considerations

  • Rate limits help API providers maintain service quality, ensure fair access, prevent security issues, and control costs [4]
  • Violating rate limits can result in request throttling, temporary blocks, or increased charges [4]

It's important to note that these limits are specific to the Blogger API. Always refer to the most up-to-date official documentation for the most accurate information, as API policies may change over time.

Latest API Version

The most recent version of the Blogger API is version 3.0. Here are the key points:

  1. Blogger API v3.0 is the latest and currently supported version.

  2. The older Blogger v2.0 GData API is being deprecated and will be shut down on September 30, 2024.

  3. Google recommends migrating any applications still using the v2.0 API to the v3.0 API to ensure continued functionality.

Key Points to Consider

  • The v3.0 API uses REST APIs to integrate Blogger content with applications.

  • Authentication and authorization are handled through OAuth 2.0 for the v3.0 API.

  • Public data can be accessed using an API key, while private data requires OAuth 2.0 authentication.

  • The v3.0 API provides endpoints for working with blogs, posts, pages, comments, and users.

Best Practices

  • Use OAuth 2.0 for authentication when accessing private data or performing actions on behalf of users.

  • Include an API key for all requests, even public ones, to identify your application.

  • Refer to the official v3.0 API documentation for detailed information on endpoints and usage.

  • If you're still using the v2.0 API, plan to migrate to v3.0 before the September 2024 shutdown date.

By using the latest Blogger API v3.0, you'll have access to the most up-to-date features and ensure long-term compatibility with your applications.

How to get a Blogger developer account and API Keys?

1. Get a Google Account

Make sure you have a Google Account set up. It's recommended to use a separate account for development and testing purposes.

2. Set up a Google Cloud project

  1. Go to the Google Cloud Console (https://console.cloud.google.com/).
  2. Create a new project or select an existing one.
  3. Enable the Blogger API for your project.

3. Create credentials

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, go to the "Credentials" page.
  2. Click "Create Credentials" and select "OAuth client ID".
  3. Configure the OAuth consent screen if you haven't already.
  4. Choose the application type (Web application, Desktop app, etc.).
  5. Set up the authorized redirect URIs if required.
  6. You'll receive a client ID and client secret. Keep these secure.

4. Obtain an API key

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, go to the "Credentials" page.
  2. Click "Create Credentials" and select "API key".
  3. Copy the generated API key.

5. Authorization

For accessing public data, you can use the API key. For accessing private data or performing actions on behalf of a user, you'll need to implement OAuth 2.0 authorization.

What can you do with the Blogger API?

Based on the information provided, here are the key data models you can interact with using the Blogger API:

Blog

  • Retrieve blog information (name, description, URL, etc.)
  • Get list of blogs for a user
  • Update blog settings
  • Get blog by ID or URL

Key fields:

  • id
  • name
  • description
  • published date
  • updated date
  • URL
  • posts count
  • pages count
  • locale

Post

  • Create new blog posts
  • Retrieve posts for a blog
  • Update existing posts
  • Delete posts
  • Query posts by criteria

Key fields:

  • id
  • title
  • content
  • author
  • published date
  • updated date
  • URL
  • labels/tags

Page

  • Create static pages
  • Retrieve pages for a blog
  • Update pages
  • Delete pages

Key fields:

  • id
  • title
  • content
  • published date
  • updated date

Comment

  • Retrieve comments on posts
  • Add new comments
  • Update comment status (approve, mark as spam, etc.)
  • Delete comments

Key fields:

  • id
  • post id
  • author
  • content
  • published date

User

  • Get authenticated user information
  • Retrieve blogs for a user

Key fields:

  • id
  • display name
  • blogs list

The API allows you to perform CRUD operations on these main data models, as well as query and filter the data in various ways. Authentication is required for write operations and accessing private data.