When planning an API, I always tell people to go look at as many of the top APIs as they can before crafting their own API strategy. I'm always surprised how many API owners I talk to don't actually use other APIs. They can usually reference the main ones like Twitter and Facebook, or the usual rockstar Twilio--but very few can cite 10 or more APIs they like.
Recently I spent some time looking through all of ProgrammableWeb's APIs, and I made a list of the 30 APIs I like, and would reference when designing an API strategy. Since I'm more about the Business of APIs and not just the finer, technical points, these I feel are unique because of their business approach to delivering their API.
Here are 30 of the best APIs I think you should look at when planning your own API strategy:
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Amazon Web Services - Cloud Computing |
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Bitly - URL Shortening |
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Box.net - Cloud Storage |
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Compete - Web Analytics |
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Constant Contact - Small Business Marketing |
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Datasift - Data Marketpalce |
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Disqus - Comments and Discussions |
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Dwolla - Payments |
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Ebay - Products and Online Auctions |
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Etsy - Handmade Marketplace |
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EventBrite - Event Management |
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EverNote - Memory and Notetaking |
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Factual - Data Marketplace |
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Flickr - Images |
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Foursquare - Locations and Check-Ins |
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Full Contact - Contact Intelligence |
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Google Maps - Mapping |
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Google+ - Social Network |
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Instagram - Photos |
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LinkedIn - Business Social Network |
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RapLeaf - Email Contact Intelligence |
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Salesforce - CRM and Sales |
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SendGrid - Email |
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Stripe - Payments |
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The EchoNest - Music |
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Twilio - VoIP and SMS |
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Twitter - Micro Blogging |
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Wolfram Alpha - Computational Knowledge Engine |
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Xero - Accounting |
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Zappos - Shoes and Clothing |
Not all of these APIs do it perfectly, but each of them have something we can learn from when planning, deploying and managing our own APIs. All of these APIs have an active presence, so I recommend reaching out to them and ask questions about what made them successful or follow their blog and Twitter accounts.
If there is an API you feeling strong about that is not on this list, please let me know. Or if you feel one of these APIs doesn't do something right, either technical or otherwise, also let me know as well (except if its Twitter).
