--- title: "Top 14 Social Media APIs for Developers (2027)" description: "The top social media APIs developers integrate in 2027: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, TikTok, Telegram, YouTube and more." canonical: https://www.ayrshare.com/blog/top-10-social-media-apis-for-developers/ lastModified: 2026-10-13 pageType: blog --- # Top 14 Social Media APIs for Developers (2027) Author: Ayrshare Team Published: 2025-02-20 Updated: 2026-10-13 > The top social media APIs developers integrate in 2027: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, TikTok, Telegram, YouTube and more. ## TL;DR This guide reviews 14 social media APIs developers integrate in 2027, with an implementation rating, approval requirements and SDKs for each. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok are the hardest to ship, and X now bills per API call. The [Ayrshare API](/) covers the major networks behind one integration. - X moved to pay-per-use pricing in February 2026: $0.015 per post created ($0.20 if the post contains a link) and $0.005 per post read. - Threads added most of its missing API features, including post deletion, polls, 20-item carousels and location tagging. - Reddit closed self-serve API access for new developers in November 2025, and commercial use still needs approval. - Instagram’s API with Instagram Login no longer requires a linked Facebook Page. Here’s the situation you’ve been tasked with automatically sending scheduled posts to various social media networks (such as Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile, Threads, Bluesky or even Telegram, Discord, TikTok, or Reddit) directly from your platform, CMS, or app on behalf of your users. Additionally, you’re expected to gather analytics related to these user social accounts and their posts. Developing the front-end functionality to share text to these networks is relatively straightforward. There are plenty of ready-made packages/plugins for WordPress, React, or Javascript to handle basic text posting. However, if your requirements includes sharing multimedia content like images or videos, or if you need to pull analytics data or manage comments, then you’ll have to directly integrate with the APIs of each individual social media network. This involves navigating through their approval processes, understanding the specific capabilities and unique endpoints for each social network, and staying updated with any changes these platforms make to their APIs, such as updates, disruptions, or change to their [rules](/docs/testing/post-verification). While that might sound scary, don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the API offerings of each social network to make this task easier for you. ![top 10 apis](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/9166c96f7427fdad947b356e95172c6eac548a12-2458x1565.jpg) ## Top ~~10~~ 14 Social Media Network APIs Originally we reviewed the top 10 social media APIs, but we have increased this number to 14. Seems new social networks keep popping up! **2027 update**: X moved to pay-per-use pricing, Threads added most of its missing features, Reddit closed self-serve API access, Bluesky added OAuth, and Instagram no longer requires a Facebook Page. Each section below has the details. Building Ayrshare’s [Social API](/) wasn’t easy and we found it took a lot of leg-work to find details on the various social media APIs, so we decided to share what we found. You can also check out our [social API docs](/docs) to see what is possible with the various social networks or see how to [link social networks](/docs/dashboard/connect-social-accounts/overview) from a user perspective. In the following section are the top social networks, links to their APIs, guides, and process. The social APIs can be called directly as RESTful endpoints or search for a well-regarded wrapper/SDK for the API in the language of your choice. Most of the APIs use the OAuth workflow for authentication. For each Social Media API we gave an implementation rating of _Hard_, _Medium_, or _Easy_. You can browse the list below or directly skip to the social network review: [Bluesky](#heading-snzjbcwbdt), [Discord](#heading-8vp6xpzn82), [Instagram](#heading-6ux6ig5u50), [Facebook](#heading-yhowxj4oa8), [LinkedIn](#heading-snmn1xxhch), [Medium](#heading-s8uxhggci9), [Pinterest](#heading-bl2pghna0r), [Reddit](#heading-udkcwgab6w), [Telegram](#heading-ugdfg95gwy), [Threads](#heading-sk8lmd1t7g), [TikTok](#heading-ue76lw7z5o), [Tumblr](#heading-lmkb1l2nho), [X](#heading-r7uwxofndt), and [YouTube](#heading-4bcbm35had). ## Bluesky Bluesky is the social media new kid on the block and essentially is an X (Twitter) alternative and growing fast. It has passed [30 million users](https://bsky-users.theo.io/) and continues to grow. It is a decentralized alternative to traditional networks and is built on the [AT Protocol](https://atproto.com/) (formerly known as the Authenticated Transfer Protocol). Bluesky offers a unique approach to social networking that emphasizes user control, data portability, and algorithmic choice, plus a mostly [easy to use Bluesky API](/blog/complete-guide-to-bluesky-api-integration-authorization-posting-analytics-comments/). What does decentralized mean? Basically, the platform is open sourced and not controlled by one group. Theoretically if Bluesky turns evil, you can move all your data to a different social platform that use the AT Protocol. - [Bluesky API](https://docs.bsky.app/) - **Implementation Rating: Medium**. The setup of Bluesky is super easy and only takes a few minutes with easy to use Node.js and Python packages. However, the API docs are difficult to use beyond anything basic. - **Requires registration:** No - **Requires app approval:** No ![Connecting the Bluesky API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/2233eb7a82b57ca5a2d914ffa36d1d64945513ff-2458x1565.jpg) ### Insights - Bluesky authentication is a bit different than other social networks. Instead an OAuth workflow, they opted for “[app passwords](/docs/dashboard/connect-social-accounts/bluesky#how-to-link-bluesky-with-ayrshare)“. Basically you [create a session](https://docs.bsky.app/docs/get-started#create-a-session) with the handle and app password, which the user can obtain at [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/settings/app-passwords). We don’t love this approach since you are now responsible for securely storing the app password. Update: Bluesky now also supports OAuth for third-party apps, which avoids storing app passwords. - The Bluesky tutorials are great if using the atproto Node.js or Python packages (see below) for basic capabilities such as [posting text](https://docs.bsky.app/docs/tutorials/creating-a-post). However, things start to get complicated when you move into posting an image or showing a link preview, and the API docs don’t even mention how to post videos. Please see the [Bluesky API guide](/blog/complete-guide-to-bluesky-api-integration-authorization-posting-analytics-comments/) for examples on posting videos. - Overall Bluesky has fewer rules and restrictions, but that doesn’t mean they have none. Spam-like activities, such as bad posts or quickly following and unfollowing, will lead to your API access being restricted. ### Other guides or packages - [https://www.npmjs.com/package/@atproto/api](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@atproto/api), if using Node.js, the way to go. - [https://pypi.org/project/atproto/](https://pypi.org/project/atproto/), if using Python, the way to go. - [https://www.ayrshare.com/blog/complete-guide-to-bluesky-api-integration-authorization-posting-analytics-comments/](/blog/complete-guide-to-bluesky-api-integration-authorization-posting-analytics-comments/) ## Discord Discord describes themselves as a “place to hang out”. You can create topic-based channels, do video chats, and more. Originally, Discord was a place for gamers to hang out, but over the past several years they have become a popular social media destination for all types of people. You’ll even see companies using Discord as their customer-facing chat or internal communication tool. - [Discord API](https://discord.com/developers/docs/intro) - **Implementation Rating: MEDIUM**. Straightforward OAuth with a nice developer GUI, and wrapper packages. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Only for bots in 100 or more servers, which need Discord verification. ![Connecting the discord API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/a911c228020b24275122608ac9753a8710d9f0e0-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - You must register an app to get your client id and secret key, but the process is quick and easy. - You then need to register a Bot. Please see the [guide](https://discord.com/developers/docs/topics/oauth2#bots) for scope permissions and [authorization code](https://discord.com/developers/docs/topics/oauth2#authorization-code-grant). Required bots (see Telegram API below), typically make the integration flow a little more difficult, but it certainly is manageable. ### Other guides or packages - [https://discord.js.org/#/](https://discord.js.org/#/) - [https://www.npmjs.com/package/discord.js](https://www.npmjs.com/package/discord.js) - [https://discordpy.readthedocs.io/en/latest/](https://discordpy.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) ## Instagram Instagram is the go to place for images and videos, with over 3 billion monthly users, and it is our most popular social network. The Instagram content publishing API has matured since its 2021 launch, but is still missing a few features. The process for Instagram approval is similar to Facebook, so please also see the Facebook API section below. - [Instagram API](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-api-with-facebook-login/get-started) - **Implementation Rating: HARD**. The Instagram/Facebook docs are sometimes confusing and examples hard to find, especially if you use a language other than PHP such as Python. However, what makes the implementation hard is the Facebook approval. You need to build out the entire integration in development, make sure you have the right requested permissions, and submit videos and explanations on why you need each permission. The process can be long and arduous, and if you need an additional permission, you need to start the process all over again. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes. You must request the exact Instagram permissions your app requires and go through the [Facebook approval process](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/resp-plat-initiatives/individual-processes/app-review/submission-guide). ![Connecting the Instagram API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/b3ab609c91050b5b91b5ecef7742ab914cccdac0-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - In 2021 Instagram opened their social API for content publishing, meaning you can now post images and videos, get analytics, and even setup webhooks. - Instagram has considerably expanded their API offering since 2021, such as you can now publish [Instagram Reels](/docs/apis/post/social-networks/instagram#instagram-reels) or [Stories](/blog/instagram-stories-api-how-to-post-a-story/), access to [messaging](/blog/ayrshare-messaging-api-for-facebook-instagram-and-x-twitter/), [collaboration](/blog/instagram-collaborator-api/) with other users, and a bunch of other [great features](/blog/the-instagram-api-just-went-to-11/). - Authorizing a user’s Instagram account for API access can be a bit complicated. Originally you were required to have a [Facebook Page linked with your Instagram account](/docs/dashboard/connect-social-accounts/instagram) and the authorization occurred at the Facebook Page level. However, Meta has since launched the [API with Instagram Login](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-api-with-instagram-login/), which removes the need to connect a Facebook Page and is now the default for most apps. A few features, such as audio search, still require linking through a Facebook Page. - The Instagram API is not as feature rich as the Facebook API. For example, there are several limitations: - The Instagram account type must be either a [Business or Creator account](/blog/the-instagram-api-just-went-to-11/). Personal accounts are not supported. Luckily, upgrading to an Instagram business/creator account is [free](/docs/dashboard/connect-social-accounts/instagram#enabling-an-instagram-business-or-creator-account). - Accounts are limited to 50 API-published posts within a 24 hour period. - JPEG is the only image format supported. - Shopping tags are not supported. - Branded content tags are not supported. - Filters are not supported. - Instagram has regularly been updating the API, so some of these limitations might go away in future releases. - Uploading images and videos is a multi-step process via the API, where you need to create the content or container, check if the media has been processed, and then do your actual content posting with the creation ID from the previous step. - As with all social networks, you need to stay in compliance with the rules, such as not using [banned hashtags](/blog/avoid-using-these-instagram-banned-hashtags/). ### Other guides or packages - [https://www.npmjs.com/package/node-instagram](https://www.npmjs.com/package/node-instagram), no longer recommend. Your best bet is to directly use Instagram’s RESTful APIs. - [https://github.com/ohld/igbot](https://github.com/ohld/igbot) - Examples on [how to post using the Instagram API](/blog/instagram-reels-api-how-to-post-videos-to-reels-using-a-social-media-api/), specifically using Instagram Reels. ## Facebook Facebook is a must for any social integration with their unparalleled global reach. They have one of the oldest and fully featured social media APIs. - [Facebook Graph API](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/video-api/overview) - **Implementation Rating: HARD**. API large and sometimes complex, documentation decent and examples are either cURL or PHP, and need to create a video or screencast to be approved. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes ![Connecting the Facebook API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/6e46216accd5bf48fba68fb2eab501b56ff9257c-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - You need to register your app, and if for commercial purposes, register your business. This includes verifying your legal entity and address. A lot of the Facebook process and requirements are similar to releasing an app to the Apple store. - [Scope](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/permissions/reference/) permissions are extremely important and don’t be surprised if you get them wrong during the first few builds. - The API documentation is large and confusing at times, but if you spend the time learning it you’ll find the information you need. - We didn’t find any good packages that wrap the API calls, so we used direct RESTful calls. - You can get a permanent access token, called [long lived tokens](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/facebook-login/access-tokens/refreshing/). However, it requires a few extra calls. - You can only post to Facebook Pages. Posting to a Personal Facebook feed was removed a few years ago. - The Facebook approval process for scope permissions is the most rigorous of any network. You need to write up testing steps, submit a video, and detail your reasoning for needing the permissions. We’ve been rejected a few times because our video missed a step in our instructions. Also, every new permission requires starting the processes over again. - [Facebook Reels can now be publish](/blog/facebook-reels-api-how-to-post-fb-reels-using-a-social-media-api/) and [Facebook Stories](/blog/how-to-publish-stories-with-the-facebook-stories-api/). - You’ll need to chunk videos to post. This creates a cumbersome process. - Meta retired its unique-impression metrics in June 2026 and replaced them with Total Unique Media Views, so check any analytics code that reads the old fields. ### Other guides or packages - [https://github.com/node-formidable/formidable](https://github.com/node-formidable/formidable) - [https://pypi.org/project/python-facebook-api/](https://pypi.org/project/python-facebook-api/) - [How to Post and Get Analytics with the Facebook API](/blog/facebook-api-how-to-post-and-get-analytics-using-the-facebook-api/) ## LinkedIn LinkedIn is where professionals hang out. If you users’ target audience are business, SaaS, or corporations, they’ll want to post to LinkedIn. - [LinkedIn API](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/linkedin/) - **Implementation Rating: HARD**. Documentation all over the place and mixing v1 and v2, and now versioned examples. A long and confusing approval process if want to post to Pages. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes ![Connecting the LinkedIn API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/bacae86b09132c62dd509c71e006d1661be91d00-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - LinkedIn’s API documentation is sufficient, but don’t get confused with v1 and [v2](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/linkedin/consumer/integrations/self-serve/migration-faq?context=linkedin/consumer/context). If you search in Google you sometimes get v1 docs, which you don’t want. **Update**: LinkedIn introduced [versioning](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linkedin/marketing/versioning) for their API, with the version key being the month. Be sure to view the [LinkedIn API changelog](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linkedin/marketing/integrations/recent-changes) before selecting or upgrading to a new version. Each version is supported for 12 months. - Scopes are important for LinkedIn and have different approval workflows. We unfortunately never found a single document detailing the scope, but went through all the endpoints to see what they need. - Access tokens last 60 days, so you’ll need to refresh after that. This will take extra coding to manage the keys. Refresh tokens are only issued to approved LinkedIn partners, so other apps must ask users to reauthorize. - If you only need to post to a user’s own feed, just request permissions to Sign In with LinkedIn. ![LinkedIn Signin](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/82727e822c168e6cb2c7b6bfd0db66aa3c95b42d-1500x234.png) - If you need to post to a company page, you’ll need to request access to the Marketing Developer API. You’ll need to fill out a form and wait for approval. Two important scopes to include to read and publish to corporate pages are: _w_organization_social rw_organization_admin_. ![LinkedIn Marketing](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/36c2e8f491466e91891310c5fc2cd36a23069244-1500x226.png) - We used the direct RESTful endpoints since we didn’t find any wrapper packages we liked. - Analytics data is only available for Company Pages and not personal LinkedIn accounts. ### Other guides or packages - [https://www.npmjs.com/package/node-linkedin](https://www.npmjs.com/package/node-linkedin) - [https://pypi.org/project/python-linkedin-v2/](https://pypi.org/project/python-linkedin-v2/) ## Medium A modern blog platform that was very popular. However, they have struggled with their business model and created a paywall for content, causing a lot of larger publishers to flee. **Update**: As of March 2023, Medium no longer supports their API. “**The Medium API is no longer supported.** We do not recommend using it.” - [Medium API](https://github.com/Medium/medium-api-docs) - **Implementation Rating: Unknown**. We have not implemented Medium, but all indications point to it being easy. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes, and must email Medium to request access: yourfriends@medium.com ![Connecting the Medium API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/f0477db9a8365f9f7dc6151ba6dc0b9d63279738-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - You must email the address above asking for permissions. Keep checking your Medium account -> settings -> developers for the ability to create a new app. Create your app and get your client id and secret key. - Getting your API key is pretty simple. - Medium seems to have removed new API access, but you can still try to email the above address to ask, nicely, for permissions. ### Other guides or packages - [https://medium.com/statuscode/building-a-basic-web-service-to-display-your-medium-blog-posts-on-your-website-using-aws-api-48597b1771c5](https://medium.com/statuscode/building-a-basic-web-service-to-display-your-medium-blog-posts-on-your-website-using-aws-api-48597b1771c5) - [https://github.com/Medium/medium-api-docs](https://github.com/Medium/medium-api-docs) ## Pinterest Known to be the “visual discovery engine for finding ideas like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more”. You create Pins that can be added to Boards. - [Pinterest API](https://developers.pinterest.com/docs/api/v5/) - **Implementation Rating: Easy**. [Pinterest API](/blog/pinterest-api-integration-on-ayrshare/) v5 is now the current, generally available version. It is continually being [updated](https://developers.pinterest.com/docs/api/v5/#tag/API-v5-Updates), so look for new features. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes and new applications are being processed quickly. ![Connecting the Pinterest API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/d65c91bac2c637dec2cb743851a3f0d9f49ad0a1-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - Pinterest has a new API, version 5, and you must apply for access. You’ll start with “trial” access with 1,000 calls a day and posts only visible to the creator. You can apply for standard access with posted Pins available to everyone, which requires a demo video of your app’s OAuth flow. - The Pinterest API docs are well organized, and because the API is simple, it is quick to implement. - Some features, such as uploading a video, are poorly documented and need a lot of experimentation to get right. ### Other guides or packages - [https://developers.pinterest.com/](https://developers.pinterest.com/) ## Reddit What isn’t on Reddit? There is a “subreddit” for every topic from stock picks, to yoga, to video games where users discuss and moderators monitor the discussion. - [Reddit API](https://www.reddit.com/dev/api/) - **Implementation Rating: EASY**. While you need to call the APIs directly and the API documentation is auto-generated, and it is a mess. However, the endpoint calls are very simple and straightforward. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes. Commercial use always needed approval, and since November 2025 new developers must request access for any use. ![Connecting the Reddit API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/f2aa262244a95a0376c6b03bf03ccfd40cf7bc62-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - Reddit’s API docs are auto-generated and a mess. The information is there, but it will take you a while to get a handle on them. We suggest checking out the subreddit on development (see other guides section). - Reddit requires you register your app to get the API keys and to complete a [Google form](https://www.reddit.com/wiki/api) for approval if your app is commercial. Don’t forget to do this. - The free tier allows 100 queries per minute per OAuth client. - Subreddit’s have different rules, so don’t blindly post to them or you/your user will be banned. To test your implementation post to the /test subreddit. - The other networks allow you to get long-lived or permanent access tokens. Reddit’s access token only lasts 1 hours. You can refresh the token even after expiration and some of the wrappers help manage this. - There are some really great looking wrapper packages. Go to the /redditdev subreddit and see the drop down for packages. However, we still preferred to go directly with the API calls. - Direct video publishing is very difficult, so we recommend using a package like [PRAW](https://github.com/praw-dev/praw). ### Other guides or packages - [https://github.com/not-an-aardvark/snoowrap](https://github.com/not-an-aardvark/snoowrap) - [https://praw.readthedocs.io/en/stable/](https://praw.readthedocs.io/en/stable/), the gold standard for the Reddit API SDK. - [https://www.reddit.com/r/redditdev/](https://www.reddit.com/r/redditdev/) - [https://github.com/reddit-archive/reddit/wiki/OAuth2#application-only-oauth](https://github.com/reddit-archive/reddit/wiki/OAuth2#application-only-oauth) ## Telegram Telegram is a cloud-based messaging platform that goes beyond basic messaging features. It offers end-to-end encrypted “Secret Chats” for private conversations, supports large file sharing up to 2GB, and provides cross-platform synchronization. Users can edit or delete messages after sending, create custom stickers, and make voice and video calls. Telegram is particularly known for its Channels feature, which acts like Twitter feeds with unlimited subscribers, and Groups that can host up to 200,000 members with advanced moderation tools. For developers, Telegram provides two main API interfaces: the [Bot API](https://core.telegram.org/bots/api), which is a simpler HTTP interface for creating bots, and the [MTProto API](https://core.telegram.org/mtproto) for building full-fledged Telegram clients. - [Telegram API](https://core.telegram.org/) - **Implementation Rating: MEDIUM**. A breeze once you know what you’re doing. The process, calls, and documentation are excellent, but the workflow is different/difficult compared with other social networks. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes, and you’ll need to create a bot. ![Connecting the Telegram API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/7869a736b6c17a928208e015a506188420b1bc7a-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - You must register your bot with [BotFather via Telegram](https://t.me/botfather). All the setup is via Telegram, such as setting your image, description, and registering. - We found the documentation and API endpoints the easiest to use of any network. It was our quickest integration. - Unlike other networks that offer a front-end user authorization workflow, such as Facebook, [Telegram linking](/docs/dashboard/connect-social-accounts/telegram) requires the user to authorize your bot in their group or channel. A few extra steps for the user, but with proper instructions, very manageable. - Telegram offers a nice set of [Webhooks](https://core.telegram.org/bots/api#setwebhook) that update you whenever a new chat comes in. ### Other guides or packages - [https://idiomaticprogrammers.com/post/telegram-trivia-bot/](https://idiomaticprogrammers.com/post/telegram-trivia-bot/) - [https://github.com/python-telegram-bot/python-telegram-bot](https://github.com/python-telegram-bot/python-telegram-bot) - [https://www.npmjs.com/package/telegraf](https://www.npmjs.com/package/telegraf) ## Threads Meta Threads is a text-based social media platform launched by Meta (formerly Facebook) in July 2023 as a direct competitor to X. The platform integrates deeply with Instagram, requiring an Instagram account to sign up unfortunately, and allows users to carry over their followers and verification status. Users can post text updates up to 500 characters, along with photos, videos, and links. Threads features a chronological feed and supports threaded conversations (hence the name), quote posts, and likes. It distinguishes itself with a focus on conversations and community building, rather than news sharing, and integrates with the open [ActivityPub protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActivityPub), allowing for interoperability with other platforms like Mastodon, similar to Bluesky with the AT Protocol. - [Threads API](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/threads) - **Implementation Rating: MEDIUM**. The new Meta Threads API is quite nice and well designed. They created a straight-forward and well thought out set of endpoints that offer standard capabilities such as publishing, getting insights, profile data, and webhooks. The docs are also easy to understand. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes, you still need to go though the Facebook approval process. The process can be just as bad or worse than the Apple App approval process, so be prepared to be rejected numerous times. ![Connecting the Threads API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/41ff70e9fc35c9af26cfe219479f3280c766062a-2458x1565.jpg) ### Insights - Meta Threads is one of the most recent social networks to arrive on the scene. It is quite similar to X/Twitter that essentially works the same way. - The Threads API is well thought out and pleasant to use. It seems the Meta team has learned lessons from building the Facebook API and Instagram API implementations. - The documentation is clear and the API is being quickly [iterated upon](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/threads/changelog). - When it launched, the Threads API was missing numerous capabilities such as delete, detailed analytics (impressions, followers), and user tags and locations. Meta has since added most of them, including post deletion, polls, carousels of up to 20 items, location tagging and link-click insights. ### Other guides or packages - [Threads API example code](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/development/create-an-app/threads-use-case) written in Node. - [Threads use case](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/development/create-an-app/threads-use-case) guide. ## TikTok TikTok has risen to the top of the social networks. Users post short-form videos (like a small YouTube) with music or filters. The platform allows users to create, share, and watch videos ranging from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, with most content falling in the shorter range. Recently TikTok introduce publishing photos. For developers, TikTok offers a well thought out API that they are continually updating with new capabilities. - [TikTok API](https://developers.tiktok.com/) - **Implementation Rating: HARD**. The TikTok API docs, while short, have mistakes or missing information. This makes [TikTok implementation](/blog/tiktok-api-how-to-post-to-tiktok-using-a-social-media-api/) difficult. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes ![Connecting the TIkTok API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/fa723fa55af02391972ab9e9a83b610aa6496002-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - TikTok allows [direct publishing of videos](/blog/introducing-tiktok-direct-publishing-analytics-and-commenting/) via an [upload or url](https://developers.tiktok.com/doc/content-posting-api-get-started/). If you use a URL to upload a TikTok video, your [domain must be verified](https://developers.tiktok.com/doc/content-posting-api-media-transfer-guide#ownership_verification_rules). - Because the user needs to manually process the video, the status and even video ID are not returned immediately. You must register a webhook to receive the asynchronous status update of upload success or failed. - Analytics are also lack-luster and it is difficult to tie a post video to individual analytics. - TikTok also recently introduced a few hurdles with their API: - App Approval: TikTok now requires your [app to be registered](https://developers.tiktok.com/doc/getting-started-create-an-app) and go through an [approval review](https://developers.tiktok.com/doc/getting-started-faq) to gain API production access. Until your app passes the audit, every post it publishes is private. - Registered Domain: Only [registered domains](https://developers.tiktok.com/doc/content-posting-api-media-transfer-guide#pull_from_url) can upload media to TikTok. This means you can no longer use a user provided URL to upload content. ### Other guides or packages - [https://www.ayrshare.com/tiktok-api-how-to-post-to-tiktok-using-a-social-media-api/](/blog/tiktok-api-how-to-post-to-tiktok-using-a-social-media-api/) - No SDK packages are recommended. - Examples on [how to post video using the TikTok API](/blog/tiktok-api-how-to-post-to-tiktok-using-a-social-media-api/). ## Tumblr Once a hot message board, Tumblr has run into issues with all the many changes in ownership. However, it is still widely popular with some users. - [Tumblr API](https://www.tumblr.com/docs/en/api/v2) - **Implementation Rating: Unknown**. We have not completed the implementation, but all indications point to easy. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes ![Connecting the Tumblr API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/24d9deb8141e0a350c4ba9725c32dc6e118dc7f9-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - You must register your app with Tumblr. The process is quick with immediate approval. ### Other guides or packages - [https://github.com/tumblr/tumblr.php](https://github.com/tumblr/tumblr.php) - [https://github.com/tumblr/tumblr.js?files=1](https://github.com/tumblr/tumblr.js?files=1) - [https://github.com/tumblr/pytumblr](https://github.com/tumblr/pytumblr) ## X/Twitter One of the first social networks, Twitter, now known as X, is another must have. With their social API, you can post Tweets with images and videos, create a Twitter Thread or poll, and get some of the most detailed analytics on your users or even brands, e.g. Nike. - [X AP](https://developer.twitter.com/en)[I](https://developer.twitter.com) - **Implementation Rating: MEDIUM**. If you use a package such as [twitter-api-v2](https://www.npmjs.com/package/twitter-api-v2) then Medium, otherwise Hard. Documentation weak with poor examples. Also, some of the docs are out of date since moving the Twitter rebranded to X, so be sure to test everything throughly. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes ![Connecting the X/Twitter API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/8a038300eb788a1553926286f34748594e187e2a-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - Check out our article on the [top 7 tips and trick for Twitter API](/blog/top-7-tips-and-tricks-for-twitter-api-posting/) posting. - Twitter/X requires registering your app as a new project (using their new Developer interface). Approval takes a few days, and although we were supposed to get an approval email we never did. - The X API examples could be a bit more detailed. Fortunately the X API is not complex. We found some great X API wrappers, so we suggest using one of those. See packages below. - You can get a permanent access token. This greatly simplifies your token management. - The new Twitter/X developer site no longer allows localhost in their approved callback URLs, so you’ll need to use [ngrok](https://ngrok.com/) or an equivalent tunnel to test locally. - X’s version 2.0 API has simplified many aspects of the API and now also handles media uploads, so you no longer need v1.1 for images and videos. - X now [charges for API access](https://docs.x.com/x-api/getting-started/pricing). Since February 2026, the X API has used pay-per-use pricing with prepaid credits: $0.015 per post created ($0.20 if the post contains a link) and $0.005 per post read. Higher volumes need an Enterprise plan. ### Other guides or packages - [https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/developer-utilities/twitter-libraries](https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/developer-utilities/twitter-libraries) - [https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/getting-started](https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/getting-started) - Example on how to [post Tweet using the Twitter API v2](/blog/twitter-api-how-to-post-and-get-analytics-with-the-twitter-api/). ## YouTube If your users create videos, they will demand a YouTube integration. YouTube’s API allows the scheduling of videos, [creating YouTube shorts](/blog/post-youtube-shorts-with-an-api/), and some amazing analytics. - [YouTube API](https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3) - **Implementation Rating: MEDIUM**. YouTube has one of the most in-depth audits. Expect to create numerous screencasts, answer questions, and fill out forms. - **Requires registration:** Yes - **Requires app approval:** Yes ![Connecting the YouTube API](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/dcf7e598fabaeaebae10daf70aa7493100f1cac2-1800x1146.jpg) ### Insights - YouTube certainly makes you go through the steps to see how you’ll be using their API. We had to create videos, detailed explanations on how we will use the scopes, and make sure we aligned with their branding. However, a real person works with you and they are extremely professional. - You’ll not only need to get API and scope approval, but you’ll also want to request a quota increase since the default allotment is 100 video uploads a day for your whole project, shared by all of your users. This is a [separate process](https://support.google.com/youtube/contact/yt_api_form?hl=en) that requires its own screencasts and forms. ### Other guides or packages - Node Google API package: [https://github.com/googleapis/google-api-nodejs-client](https://github.com/googleapis/google-api-nodejs-client) - Python Google API package: [https://github.com/googleapis/google-api-python-client](https://github.com/googleapis/google-api-python-client) - How to [post YouTube videos using the YouTube API](/blog/post-youtube-shorts-with-an-api/), specially shorts. Other API packages: [https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/guides/auth/server-side-web-apps](https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/guides/auth/server-side-web-apps) ## Looking to schedule posts and get analytics from your app? If you don’t want to go through all the API approvals, integrations, and maintenance, try [**Ayrshare**](/), the social media API that sends posts to 14+ social networks through one integration. You can start publishing to your favorite social media networks (Bluesky, Facebook, Google Business Profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, Telegram, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube) with just a few lines of code, or use our developer dashboard to manage your users or see the request/response of every post. ![Ayrshare API Dashboard](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/6190c37255cfffefc1f53c35ccd3d56773bc79e9-1600x999.png) Get started with [**Ayrshare**](/). _Updated: October 13, 2026_ ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a social media API? A social media API is the programmatic interface a network such as Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn exposes so software can publish posts, read analytics and manage comments without a person using the app. Each network runs its own, with its own authentication, approval process and limits. ### Which social media API is the hardest to get approved for? Meta’s APIs (Facebook, Instagram and Threads) and TikTok. Meta App Review needs a screencast for each permission and starts over when you add one. TikTok keeps every post from an unaudited app private until you pass its audit. YouTube also requires a compliance audit before it raises your upload quota. ### Do social media APIs cost money? Most are free to call within their quotas. X is the exception: since February 2026 it bills per call, at $0.015 per post created ($0.20 if the post contains a link) and $0.005 per post read. YouTube is free, and its default quota allows 100 video uploads a day per project. ### Can one social media API cover every network? A social media API such as the [Ayrshare API](/) covers 14+ networks through one integration: Bluesky, Facebook, Google Business Profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, Telegram, Threads, TikTok, WhatsApp, X and YouTube. Discord, Medium and Tumblr still need a direct integration.