Discogs API
APIComprehensive music database API for artists, releases, and collections
Overview
The Discogs API provides RESTful access to a massive music database with endpoints for artists, releases, masters, labels, and user collections. Responses are in JSON format. Key endpoints include /artists/{id} (artist details), /releases/{id} (release metadata), /users/{username}/collection (personal collections), and /marketplace/prices (pricing data). Use cases include building music discovery apps, cataloging collections, fetching album art, retrieving discographies, and accessing marketplace price history for vinyl/CD collectors.
Example Integration (JavaScript)
fetch('https://www.discogs.com/developers/')
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(err => console.error(err)); Key Features
- RESTful architecture
- JSON response format
- OAuth2 authentication
- Extensive metadata (tracklists, formats, artwork)
- Marketplace price data
- User collection management
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is the Discogs API free to use?
Yes, it offers a free tier with rate limits (60 requests/minute). Paid plans (Discogs Pro) provide higher limits and advanced features like bulk data access.
? Does it require an API Key?
Yes, most endpoints need an API key. For user-specific actions (e.g., accessing collections), OAuth2 authentication is required.
? What is the response format?
All responses are in JSON format, which is widely compatible with most programming languages and applications.
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People Also Ask about Discogs API
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Vast database (15M+ releases)
- ⊕ Detailed music metadata
- ⊕ Supports user-specific actions
- ⊕ Active developer community
Cons
- ⊖ Rate-limited free tier (60 requests/minute)
- ⊖ Requires API key for access
- ⊖ Advanced features behind paid plans
- ⊖ Steep learning curve for complex queries