So how do you know if you're using Bitly's API?
The short answer: If you create a Bitly link or view your click data without logging in to Bitly's web page, then you're using our API.
Start with checking your settings to see if your account is connected via the API. This won't show you what you're connected to or which version you're using, but you can figure out if API changes affect you at all.
- Go to your profile menu and select Profile Settings.
- Select Security.
- Look for any entries that are listed as Bitly API.
Here are some other clues. You might be an API user if ...
... you've used the words "Bitly" and "integration" in the same sentence.
When you, your administrator, or a technical contact changes another app's settings to set up an integration with Bitly, it indicates that the app is using the API to connect the two systems. We have a list that includes many apps with built-in integrations to Bitly.
... you're using a tool to create social posts or messages that automatically shorten your links with Bitly.
Whether you use a social media platform or a messaging system for email or SMS, if you add a link to a message and it's automatically shortened with your Bitly account, that means the platform is sending the link to Bitly and then retrieving the shortened link through the API.
... you can view your click metrics and analytics without logging in at bitly.com.
Some platforms will display how many clicks your shortened links are getting. They may show you the data in a report or inline with each link. This is often a way to display the click metrics and social engagement side by side. To retrieve that click data from Bitly, those systems are using the API.
... you shorten links without going to bitly.com.
There are apps and extensions for mobile devices and browsers that allow you to shorten a link for a page right when you’re viewing it. The best examples are Bitly's own Chrome extension, Firefox extension, and mobile app. All of these use the API to connect to Bitly and create your links.