What is API Throttling?
API throttling is a technique used to control the amount of incoming and outgoing traffic to or from an application programming interface (API). This method is essential for maintaining the health and performance of web services, ensuring that they can handle requests efficiently without being overwhelmed.
By implementing throttling, developers can set limits on the number of requests that a client can make to an API over a specific time period. Common strategies include rate limiting, where a specific number of requests is allowed per minute, hour, or day. This prevents abuse, maintains service quality, and ensures that resources are fairly allocated among users.
Throttling is particularly important in APIs that serve multiple users or client applications. Without it, excessive traffic from one user can lead to latency and service disruptions for others. For example, if one client sends thousands of requests in a short period, it could exhaust server resources, leading to a poor experience for all users.
Various methods can be applied for API throttling, including token bucket and leaky bucket algorithms. Many APIs implement throttling as part of their service layer, responding with HTTP status codes (such as 429 Too Many Requests) when a user exceeds their allowed request limit. By carefully managing request limits, developers can enhance API reliability and ensure a smooth user experience.