Google Workspace Admin API Essential Guide

Aug 3, 2024 • 6 minute read

What type of API does Google Workspace Admin provide?

The Google Workspace Admin API uses a REST API architecture.

Key points:

The API provides RESTful endpoints for managing Google Workspace resources like users, groups, devices, etc.

Code example:

Here's a basic example of how you might make a REST API call to the Admin SDK Directory API using Python:

import google.auth
from googleapiclient.discovery import build

# Authenticate and build the service
creds, _ = google.auth.default()
service = build('admin', 'directory_v1', credentials=creds)

# Make a REST API call to list users
results = service.users().list(customer='my_customer', maxResults=10).execute()
users = results.get('users', [])

for user in users:
    print(u'{0} ({1})'.format(user['primaryEmail'], user['name']['fullName']))

Summary:

The Google Workspace Admin API uses a REST architecture. This allows administrators to programmatically manage their Google Workspace organization using standard HTTP methods and JSON data formats. The API provides endpoints for various resources like users, groups, and devices, following RESTful principles for querying and modifying these resources.

Does the Google Workspace Admin API have webhooks?

Availability of Webhooks

Yes, the Google Workspace Admin API does support webhooks, also referred to as push notifications.

Types of Events

The Google Workspace Events API allows you to subscribe to events and manage change notifications across Google Workspace applications. While the search results don't provide an exhaustive list of event types, they mention that you can subscribe to events related to changes in Google Workspace resources.

How to Use Webhooks

You can use the Google Workspace Events API to subscribe to events.
The API provides REST resources for managing subscriptions and operations.
To implement webhooks, you would typically:
- Set up a subscription to specific events you're interested in
- Provide a URL where Google can send notifications when those events occur
- Handle the incoming notifications in your application

Key Considerations

The official documentation recommends using Google-provided client libraries when calling this service.
If you need to use your own libraries, the documentation provides information on how to make API requests.
While not specifically mentioned for Google Workspace Admin API, webhooks are generally more efficient than polling for changes, as they provide real-time notifications without the need for constant API calls.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official Google Workspace Events API documentation.
The Google Admin SDK Directory API also has a section on push notifications, which might be relevant depending on your specific use case.

It's worth noting that while the search results provide general information about the availability of webhooks, they don't give a comprehensive list of all possible event types. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, it's recommended to consult the official Google Workspace Admin API documentation.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Here are the key points about API Rate Limits for the Google Workspace Admin API:

Default Limits

The default limit is 2,400 queries per minute per user per Google Cloud project [1][2].
This limit can be increased from the Admin SDK API Quotas page of your Google Cloud project [1][2].

Error Handling

If limits are exceeded, the server returns an HTTP 503 status code [1].
For user rate limit exceeded errors, a 403 status code is returned with the reason "userRateLimitExceeded" [2].
For quota exceeded errors, a 403 status code is returned with the reason "quotaExceeded" [2].
For rate limit exceeded errors, a 429 status code is returned with the reason "rateLimitExceeded" [2].

Best Practices

Use exponential backoff algorithm when retrying requests that hit limits [1][2].
For time-sensitive operations, consider sending requests in parallel or using multiple threads [1].
Start with 10 threads for multi-threaded operations, adjusting as needed [1].
Implement retry logic with increasing delays (e.g., 5 seconds, then 10 seconds) [1].
Set a retry limit (e.g., 5-7 attempts) before returning an error to the user [1].

Other Limits

Maximum results per page: 1000 for Reports API [1], 100-500 for Directory API depending on resource type [2].
User creation: Cannot create more than 10 users per domain per second [2].
Organizational units: Limited to 35 levels of depth and 40,000 total OUs per customer [2].
Group members: Up to 100 members per group for G Suite Legacy Free Edition, no limit for other editions [2].

Monitoring and Increasing Quotas

Monitor API usage through the Google Cloud Console [3].
You can request quota increases, but approval is not guaranteed [3].
Large quota increases may take longer to approve [3].

Remember to design your applications to handle rate limits gracefully and to monitor your API usage to avoid disruptions in service.

Latest API Version

Based on the search results provided, the most recent version of the Google Workspace Admin API appears to be v1.1beta1. Here are the key points:

The Admin SDK API reference mentions "Admin SDK API v1.1beta1" [2].
Under the API versions listed, v1.1beta1 is mentioned as including the Chrome Browsers API and Chrome Enrollment Token API [2].
There is also mention of a v1 version that includes APIs like the Chrome Printer Management API, Contact Delegation API, Directory API, and Reports API [2].
The search results do not provide information about a more recent stable version beyond v1.

Key points to consider:

The v1.1beta1 version is likely a beta release, which means it may include newer features but could be subject to changes.
The v1 version appears to be the most recent stable release based on the information provided.
Google regularly updates its APIs, so it's always a good idea to check the official documentation for the most up-to-date information.

Best practices:

When using the Admin SDK API, always refer to the official Google Workspace Developer documentation for the most current version information.
If you're developing a new application, consider using the latest stable version (v1) unless you specifically need features from the beta version.
Keep an eye on the release notes and documentation for any updates or changes to the API versions.
When using beta versions, be prepared for potential changes in the API that might affect your implementation.

How to get a Google Workspace Admin developer account and API Keys?

To get a developer account for Google Workspace Admin and create an API integration, here are the key steps:

1. Create a Google Cloud project

Go to the Google Cloud Console and sign in with your Google Workspace admin account.
Click on "IAM & Admin" > "Manage Resources" and create a new project.
Give your project a name and optionally add it to a folder.

2. Enable the necessary APIs

In your Google Cloud project, go to "APIs & Services" > "Library".
Search for and enable the APIs you need for your integration. Some common ones include:
- Admin SDK API
- Gmail API
- Calendar API
- Drive API
- etc.
You can enable APIs via the Cloud Console UI or using gcloud commands.

Go to "APIs & Services" > "OAuth consent screen".
Select the user type (internal or external)
Fill in the required app information like app name, user support email, etc.
Add any necessary scopes

4. Create credentials

Go to "APIs & Services" > "Credentials"
Click "Create Credentials" and select "OAuth client ID"
Choose the application type (e.g. Web application)
Set up authorized redirect URIs if needed
Download the client ID and client secret

5. Configure domain-wide delegation (if needed)

In the Google Admin console, go to Security > API Controls > Domain-wide Delegation
Add a new client ID and authorize the necessary API scopes

6. Use the credentials in your application

Use the client ID, client secret, and any other necessary details to authenticate your application and make API calls.

What can you do with the Google Workspace Admin API?

Here are the key data models you can interact with using the Google Workspace Admin API, along with what is possible for each:

Users

Create, read, update, and delete user accounts
Manage user profiles, including personal information, work information, etc.
Set user passwords and manage password policies
Assign and revoke licenses
Manage user aliases and email addresses
Suspend and restore user accounts

Groups

Create, read, update, and delete groups
Manage group members and owners
Set group settings and permissions
Create and manage group aliases
Manage group email settings

Organizational Units

Create, read, update, and delete organizational units
Move users and devices between organizational units
Apply policies and settings to organizational units

Domains

Verify domain ownership
Manage domain aliases
Configure domain-wide settings

Devices

View and manage mobile devices, Chromebooks, and other devices
Apply device policies
Wipe or lock devices remotely
View device usage and status information

Calendar Resources

Create, read, update, and delete calendar resources (like meeting rooms)
Manage calendar resource properties and booking settings

Role Assignments

Assign and revoke admin roles to users
Create and manage custom admin roles

Customer Account

Retrieve account information
Manage subscription and billing details
Access usage reports and analytics

Directory Settings

Configure global directory settings
Manage sharing options and visibility settings

Security Settings

Configure password policies
Manage 2-step verification settings
Set up and manage single sign-on (SSO)
Configure API access settings

Email Settings

Manage email routing and delivery settings
Configure spam and malware filters
Set up email compliance rules

This list covers the main data models and capabilities, but the Admin API offers extensive functionality for managing and configuring Google Workspace environments programmatically.