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GAINING INFLUENCE THROUGH THE KLOUT API

Klout has quickly become the standard for social influence. As Klout Developer Evangelist Tyler Singletary explains, one key to that success is a well-designed, highly trafficked, Mashery-powered API. 

Klout

KLOUT

Why did Klout launch an API?
"An API was part of our business model from the beginning, and it's been the key to becoming valuable to many companies and, by extension, individuals. If we just had Klout.com, we wouldn't be nearly as big. The API lets others embed Klout scores and topics anywhere, which has led to many great partnerships."
 
How are partners innovating with the Klout API?
"Capital One ran a campaign where they set cash-back multipliers based on your Klout score. Reuters shows Klout scores for political candidates and CEOs, as well as for its columnists. In total, over 3,500 partners use Klout to trigger alerts, curate content and contracts, identify brand ambassadors and influencers, segment audiences, and, most importantly, reward individuals."
 
What advice would you give to folks who are launching APIs?
"Less is more. Let partners get the minimum amount of data that they need. It might sound counterintuitive, but we would have far fewer partnerships if we had a more data-rich API. We favor RESTful APIs because they're simple and self-documenting."
 
How do you measure API success?
"We used to look mainly at call volume, but now my primary metric is the number of active partners. I also track developer feedback and enthusiasm at events."
 
How has Mashery helped?
"Serving an API is not our core competence, and Mashery lets us keep it that way. Mashery deals with caching and data centers so we don't have to. We also benefit from Mashery's new feature releases. We don't have to build those ourselves." 

Video: The Business of API Conference 2011

 

About This Video 

In two years, Klout has established itself as one of the most highly trafficked APIs in the world, all the while maintaining its core business of delivering perks. Klout's Developer Evangelist Tyler Singletary outlines how, as a small company, they've successfully managed the challenges that come with wild success, as well as their strategy for balancing their products and turning it into a platform that adapts with the future.

key points
  • Adapting APIs to business needs
  • More developers are not always better
  • Segment developers with pricing
  • Evolve your API platform