Flickr

API

RESTful API for accessing Flickr's vast photo and video library

Overview

The Flickr API is a RESTful interface to Flickr’s extensive collection of user-generated photos and videos. Key endpoints include photo/video search (by keyword, location, or user), album retrieval, metadata access (tags, geolocation), and upload functionality (requires OAuth). Responses are available in JSON or XML formats. Use cases include building website photo galleries, integrating location-based imagery into travel apps, social media tools to pull user content, and educational platforms for visual resources. It supports both public data access (with an API key) and authenticated actions like modifying user content.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://www.flickr.com/services/api/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful architecture
JSON/XML response formats
OAuth 1.0a authentication
Search by keyword/location
Album & metadata retrieval
Upload functionality

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Flickr API free to use?

Yes, it offers a free tier with rate limits; paid plans are available for higher request volumes and advanced features.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes, all requests need an API key; authenticated actions (like uploads) require OAuth 1.0a.

? What is the response format?

Supports both JSON and XML; JSON is the recommended format for modern applications.

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Tool Info

Pricing Freemium

Category Photography

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Vast high-quality media library
⊕ Well-documented
⊕ Supports geotagged content
⊕ Flexible integration options

Cons

⊖ Free tier has strict rate limits
⊖ OAuth setup for authenticated actions
⊖ Some legacy endpoints deprecated
⊖ No real-time data updates