Harpd Answers · Explained
What formats does Harpd data come in?
JSON and CSV for every public dataset, JSON-LD for structured data on pages, Markdown READMEs for data dictionaries, and SVG for attribution badges. All under CC BY 4.0.
Quick answer
What formats does Harpd data come in?
Harpd publishes data in the formats a consumer actually needs: JSON for machines, CSV for spreadsheets and analysis, JSON-LD for structured data embedded in pages, Markdown for data dictionaries, and SVG for embeddable badges.
- 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 JSON endpoint and, where tabular, a CSV twin — for example /data/rank.json and /data/rank.csv. Every dataset carries a versioned envelope with source, methodology, licence and lastUpdated. Data dictionaries ship as Markdown at /data/readme/{dataset} so a consumer can understand the fields without reverse-engineering them.
How it compares
Harpd vs the traditional approach
| Aspect | Harpd / this model | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Machine format | JSON with a versioned envelope | HTML scraping |
| Tabular format | CSV twins for datasets | Often absent |
| Semantics | JSON-LD on pages and data endpoints | Unstructured |
| Documentation | Markdown data dictionary per dataset | Field names only |
Why it matters
Format choice determines whether data gets used. A JSON envelope with a stated licence and a data dictionary is what allows an analyst to load a dataset and trust it, instead of writing a scraper and hoping the shape is stable.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the data dictionaries?
At /data/readme/{dataset} for each dataset, and summarised at /data/schema.json. They document every field, including what a null means.
Is the JSON shape stable?
Each dataset carries a schemaVersion and changes are recorded in /changelog/. Additive changes are the norm; a breaking change is versioned rather than applied silently.
Can I get a spreadsheet directly?
Yes — use the CSV twin, for example /data/rank.csv or /data/benchmarks.csv, which opens directly in a spreadsheet application.