Best Practices

Follow these best practices to optimize your use of the RUE API and build robust, efficient applications.

1. Authentication and Security

Always use HTTPS for API requests
Keep your API keys secure and never expose them in client-side code
Implement proper error handling for authentication failures
Rotate your API keys periodically
Use environment variables to store sensitive credentials

2. Rate Limiting and Performance

Implement retry logic with exponential backoff for rate limit errors
Cache API responses when possible to reduce the number of requests
Use bulk endpoints when available to reduce the number of individual requests
Monitor your usage and adjust your request patterns if you're consistently hitting limits
Consider using webhooks for long-running processes instead of polling

3. Data Management

Use the selected fields feature to request only the data you need
Implement proper error handling and validation for API responses
Store and process sensitive data in compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
Regularly clean and update your stored data to ensure accuracy
Implement data backup and recovery procedures

4. Integration and Development

Use our official client libraries when available
Implement proper versioning in your integrations to handle API updates
Set up a staging environment to test API integrations before deploying to production
Use webhooks for real-time updates instead of frequent polling
Implement proper logging and monitoring for your API usage

5. Error Handling and Debugging

Implement comprehensive error handling for all API requests
Log API errors and responses for debugging purposes
Use unique request identifiers to track API calls across your system
Set up alerts for critical API errors or unexpected behavior
Regularly review and analyze your API usage and error logs

6. Compliance and Ethics

Ensure your use of the API complies with our terms of service and applicable laws
Respect user privacy and obtain necessary consents when processing personal data
Implement appropriate data retention and deletion policies
Be transparent about your use of AI and third-party data sources
Regularly review and update your compliance measures

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your integration with the RUE API is secure, efficient, and compliant. For more detailed guidance on specific topics, please refer to our Examples and API Reference pages. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to contact our support team.