Learn how to make efficient API requests.
North Data's API allows you to access company data efficiently, provided you follow the system's request rules. This article explains how the API manages request limits and how you can avoid common issues like timeouts.
1. What Are the API Request Limits?
You can make up to 300 requests per minute using the API. At the start of each minute, you get a full request "budget" of 300. Additionally, your budget refills gradually during the minute at a rate of 5 requests per second.
2. How to Avoid Timeout Issues
For companies with large historical records, data requests can take longer to process — sometimes more than 30 seconds. If your HTTP client closes connections too soon, it may result in timeouts.
To avoid this:
- Set your HTTP client timeout to at least 60 seconds.
- This ensures you won’t lose your connection before the data is retrieved.
3. Best Practices for Efficient API Usage
To make the most of North Data’s API:
- Plan Your Requests: Spread them out to stay within the 300 requests-per-minute limit.
- Use Bulk Requests: Whenever possible, request multiple pieces of data in a single call.
- Adjust Timeouts: Configure your system to allow for long processing times for larger datasets.
For more detailed guidance, refer to the North Data API Documentation.