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Pinterest API Essential Guide

Aug 2, 20246 minute read

What type of API does Pinterest provide?

Pinterest uses a GraphQL API. GraphQL is a query language that allows developers to construct requests that pull data from multiple data sources in a single API call. It is ideal for use with apps where speed and bandwidth are essential, such as mobile phones or IoT devices. Pinterest is mentioned as one of the early adopters of GraphQL technology, along with other leading organizations like Facebook, GitHub, and PayPal.

Does the Pinterest API have webhooks?

Webhooks in the Pinterest API

The official Pinterest API does not have native webhook support. The API documentation focuses on RESTful endpoints for managing pins, boards, users, and other Pinterest objects.

Alternative approaches:

  1. Use the Pinterest API's RESTful endpoints to periodically poll for updates.

  2. Utilize third-party integration platforms like Zapier or n8n.io to create webhook-like functionality with Pinterest.

  3. Monitor the Pinterest Developer Platform for potential future additions of webhook support.

While the official Pinterest API does not currently offer native webhook support, there are alternative methods to achieve similar functionality through third-party integrations or by implementing polling mechanisms using the available API endpoints.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Based on the search results provided, here are the key points about the API rate limits for the Pinterest API:

General and Universal Rate Limits

  • There is a universal rate limit of 100 calls per second per user per app across all endpoints in any category.

  • All API requests made on behalf of a user also count against general limits for Pinterest users. These user limits are not published.

Standard Rate Limits

For apps with Standard access, the rate limits vary by category:

  • ads_analytics: 300 calls per minute per user per app
  • ads_conversions: 5,000 calls per minute per ad account per app
  • ads_read: 1,000 calls per minute per user per app
  • ads_write: 400 calls per minute per user per app
  • catalogs_read: 100 calls per minute per user per app
  • catalogs_write: 100 calls per minute per user per app
  • org_analytics: 200 calls per minute per user per app
  • org_write: 100 calls per minute per user per app
  • org_read: 1,000 calls per minute per user per app
  • trends_read: 60 calls per minute per user per app

Trial vs Standard Access

  • Apps with Trial access have daily rate limits, while Standard access has per-minute limits.

  • Standard access generally offers higher rate limits than Trial access.

Key Considerations

  • Rate limits are subject to change without notice.

  • The rate limit is shared across all endpoints in the same category.

  • There are additional limits for specific actions like conversions.

  • Upgrading from Trial to Standard access requires submitting a demo video and going through an approval process.

In summary, the Pinterest API has a complex system of rate limits that vary based on access level and endpoint category. Standard access provides higher limits than Trial access, but all apps are subject to a universal limit of 100 calls per second per user per app.

Latest API Version

Based on the search results provided, here is the most up-to-date information about the Pinterest API version:

The most recent version of the Pinterest API is v5.

Key points to consider:

  1. The search results mention that API v3 and ads/v4 have been fully deprecated.

  2. There is no explicit mention of the current API version number in the search results. However, given that v3 and v4 are deprecated, it's reasonable to infer that the current version is v5.

  3. Pinterest now offers "One API to seamlessly integrate with Pinterest", suggesting they have consolidated their API offerings.

  4. The API documentation and developer resources have been updated to reflect the latest version and features.

Best practices:

  1. Always refer to the official Pinterest Developer Platform (developers.pinterest.com) for the most up-to-date information on API versions and features.

  2. Keep track of the Changelog provided by Pinterest to stay informed about new features, deprecations, and breaking changes.

  3. When integrating with the Pinterest API, ensure you're using the latest version to access all available features and avoid deprecated endpoints.

  4. Be aware that Pinterest may introduce new features or make changes to the API, so it's important to regularly check their documentation and announcements.

How to get a Pinterest developer account and API Keys?

To get a developer account for Pinterest and create an API integration, follow these steps:

Create a Pinterest Business Account

  1. Create a Pinterest Business account if you don't have one.
  2. Log in to your Pinterest Business account.

Set Up Your Developer Account

  1. Visit the Pinterest Developer Platform website [https://developers.pinterest.com/].
  2. Click on the "Log in" or "Sign up" button to access the developer portal.
  3. Verify your account through the email Pinterest sends you.
  4. Agree to the Developer Terms.

Create Your App

  1. In the developer portal, create a new app or project.
  2. Fill in the required information about your app, including its name, description, and intended use.

Get API Credentials

  1. After creating your app, you'll receive API credentials, typically including an API key or client ID and secret.
  2. These credentials are necessary for authenticating your API requests to Pinterest.

What can you do with the Pinterest API?

Based on the search results provided, here is a list of data models that can be interacted with using the Pinterest API, along with what is possible for each:

User Data

  • Interact with user information such as email, phone number, name, and external IDs
  • Fields include:
    • Email (hashed)
    • Mobile ad IDs (hashed)
    • Phone number (hashed)
    • First name (hashed)
    • Last name (hashed)
    • External ID (hashed)
  • Can be used for user matching and identification

Custom Data

  • Interact with event and product-related data
  • Fields include:
    • Contents (product details like price and quantity)
    • Content brand
    • Content category
    • Content IDs
    • Content name
    • Currency
    • Number of items
    • Order ID
    • Search string
    • Event value

Conversion Events

  • Track conversion events like page visits, add to cart, checkouts
  • Can send event-level data with external IDs and user information
  • Supports batching up to 1000 events per request
  • Real-time event sending preferred (< 1 hour lag)

Pins

  • Create and manage Pin content
  • Likely includes fields like title, description, image, link, etc.

Ads

  • Build and manage advertising campaigns
  • Likely includes ad creative, targeting, budgets, etc.

Product Catalogs

  • Manage product feed data for shopping/commerce features
  • Likely includes product details, inventory, pricing, etc.

Analytics Data

  • Access Pinterest analytics and reporting data
  • Likely includes metrics on Pin performance, audience insights, etc.

API Infrastructure

  • Authentication and access tokens
  • Rate limiting (5000 requests per minute)
  • Pagination and data retrieval patterns

While the search results don't provide exhaustive details on all data models, these appear to be the key areas that can be interacted with via the Pinterest API based on the available information. The API seems to focus heavily on conversion tracking, user data handling, and core Pinterest features like Pins, ads, and product catalogs.