Those are good arguments for using an online service. But your conclusion is premature and certainly cannot be made blanket like that in favor of using the API.

Those are good arguments for using an online service. But your conclusion is premature and certainly cannot be made blanket like that in favor of using the API. Just as many arguments can be made for an offline check. Or against an online check. From added latency via required uptime to added dependencies. My point being: no. "It depends"