Harpd Answers · Explained
How does the Harpd API work?
The Harpd public API is read-only, keyless and CC BY 4.0: datasets are served as JSON and CSV from /data/*, with a documented reference at /developers/api/.
Quick answer
How does the Harpd API work?
The Harpd public API is a set of read-only HTTP endpoints over the same first-party datasets the site renders. There is no signup, no API key and no rate-limit negotiation for public data: you request a URL and get JSON or CSV.
- Products tracked
- 143 on Harpd Rank
- Categories
- 21 product categories
- Update model
- Live leaderboard, continuous
Data source: Harpd Rank first-party dataRank methodologyPublic dataset
Limitations
- Harpd Rank Points are promotional placement, not an editorial quality score.
- Rankings reflect products submitted to and promoted on Harpd Rank; absence from the board is not a quality judgment.
Data source: Harpd Rank first-party data
How it works
The mechanics, plainly
Each dataset has a stable path — /data/rank.json, /data/categories.json, /data/market-index.json, /data/llm-pricing.json and so on — served with an explicit cache policy and a schema version. The endpoint reference at /developers/api/ documents every path with its content type, and /openapi.json describes the surface machine-readably.
How it compares
Harpd vs the traditional approach
| Aspect | Harpd / this model | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | None for public datasets | API key + account |
| Cost | Free, CC BY 4.0 with attribution | Tiered pricing |
| Direction | Read-only by design | Often read/write |
| Schema | Versioned envelope with source + methodology | Undocumented shape |
Why it matters
A keyless, versioned, licensed API is what lets a developer build on Harpd data in an afternoon instead of a procurement cycle. It is also what lets an AI system retrieve Harpd facts directly rather than inferring them from prose.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an API key?
No. Every public dataset is served without authentication. Attribution under CC BY 4.0 is the only requirement when you display the data.
Is there a write API?
No. The public surface is read-only. Submitting or managing a listing happens through the product flows at /rank/manage/, not through the public data API.
How do I know when the schema changes?
Every dataset carries a schemaVersion and a generatedAt timestamp, and changes are recorded in /changelog/. Pin the version you depend on and watch the changelog.