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SP-API Overview
Learn about what the Selling Partner API is, how to get started as a developer, and review frequently asked questions
FAQ:
What is an API?
An API, which stands for application programming interface, is a mechanism that enables two software components to communicate with each other using a set of definitions and protocols.
In the context of APIs, the word Application refers to any software with a distinct function. Interface can be thought of as a contract of service between two applications. This contract defines how the two communicate with each other using requests and responses. Their API documentation contains information on how developers are to structure those requests and responses.
In the context of APIs, the word Application refers to any software with a distinct function. Interface can be thought of as a contract of service between two applications. This contract defines how the two communicate with each other using requests and responses. Their API documentation contains information on how developers are to structure those requests and responses.
What is the Selling Partner API?
The Selling Partner API (SP-API) is a REST-based API that helps Amazon selling partners programmatically access their data on orders, shipments, payments, and much more. Applications using the SP-API can increase selling efficiency, reduce labor requirements, and improve response time to customers, helping Selling Partners grow their businesses.
- Set up an OAuth authorization workflow that selling partners initiate from the Selling Partner Appstore detail page or from your own website.
- Generate an SDK that can help you with LWA token exchange and authentication.
- Test your applications by making calls to a sandbox environment.
FAQ:
What are REST APIs?
REST stands for Representational State Transfer. REST defines a set of functions like GET, PUT, DELETE, etc. that clients can use to access server data. Clients and servers exchange data using HTTP.
The main feature of REST API is statelessness. Statelessness means that servers do not save client data between requests. Client requests to the server are similar to URLs you type in your browser to visit a website. The response from the server is plain data, without the typical graphical rendering of a web page.
The main feature of REST API is statelessness. Statelessness means that servers do not save client data between requests. Client requests to the server are similar to URLs you type in your browser to visit a website. The response from the server is plain data, without the typical graphical rendering of a web page.
Getting started
You must register as a Selling Partner API developer before you can register your Selling Partner API application. The procedure for registering as a developer varies slightly depending on the type of application that you plan to create. Developer applications are grouped into three types:
- All public applications. Applications that are publicly available and are authorized by sellers or by vendors using OAuth.
- Private seller applications. Applications for sellers that are available only to your organization, and are self-authorized.
- Private vendor applications. Applications for vendors that are available only to your organization, and are self-authorized.
You must register as a Selling Partner API developer before you can register your Selling Partner API application. The procedure for registering as a developer varies slightly depending on the type of application that you plan to create.
For more information, refer to Terminology, or watch the Getting Started videos.
For more information, refer to Terminology, or watch the Getting Started videos.
FAQ:
What are API integrations?
API integrations are software components that automatically update data between clients and servers. Some examples of API integrations are when automatic data sync to the cloud from your phone image gallery, or the time and date automatically sync on your laptop when you travel to another time zone. Enterprises can also use them to efficiently automate many system functions.
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Integrate with the SP-API to build software solutions that help Amazon Selling Partners grow
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