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I absolutely wouldn't expect there to be notes against an API key. Heck, in many companies I have encountered that they don't even know who is using API keys t

by bobdvb 2y ago

I absolutely wouldn't expect there to be notes against an API key. Heck, in many companies I have encountered that they don't even know who is using API keys they've issued to third parties, especially over generations of systems. I am impressed that after getting email approval for an app a decade ago, Yelp still had contact details enough to let the O/P know! None of that negates the issue of 4-days notice and Yelp shooting themselves in the foot by removing access to an app which redirects people to their website. But someone in executive management made a decision on the basis that they wanted revenue from the API overhead, wanted a slice of other people's pie and that's that. To the O/Ps point about subscription, there was a UK food app which gave you restaurant food safety scores taken from the food safety agency "Scores on The Doors" it's gone now but I paid a few £ a year for it and never had an issue. If the Yelp pricing is sustainable at that level it's not a bad idea to pay for API access, Yelp has to pay for their servers and a portion of the API calls won't be converted to traffic. Who knows if Yelp still has a sustainable business? Maybe that API thing doesn't pay for itself? I don't know.

starttoaster 2y ago
Maybe not for an API key, but for an account, you would think they would have some method of keeping notes. I've never worked for a company that had a concept of accounts, and teams of people that interfaced with accounts, without having a method of keeping notes about an account. That's just a basic necessity, especially when the accounts exchange money with the company, there's usually accounts that pay more than others that require special handling, which is usually documented in an account notes screen of some kind.
WoodenChair 2y ago
On the Yelp developer site you have an app profile where there is the name and description of the app. There is also a separate field for the URL of the app website, which I did have filled in. So, they have that at a minimum. If they didn't retain the records of the screenshots/communications that led to the original approval and raise of the API daily limit then that is poor recording keeping but understandable in a corporate environment after 10 years.
shermantanktop 2y ago
The API key usually has a contact email. After a year that contact email probably doesn’t work anymore, certainly for free tier. Which underlines what I concluded long ago: the best and most durable form of identity on the internet is rooted in the ability to pay money. Any identity that is free to create is doomed.

by bobdvb 2y ago

starttoaster 2y ago

Maybe not for an API key, but for an account, you would think they would have some method of keeping notes. I've never worked for a company that had a concept of accounts, and teams of people that interfaced with accounts, without having a method of keeping notes about an account. That's just a basic necessity, especially when the accounts exchange money with the company, there's usually accounts that pay more than others that require special handling, which is usually documented in an account notes screen of some kind.

WoodenChair 2y ago

On the Yelp developer site you have an app profile where there is the name and description of the app. There is also a separate field for the URL of the app website, which I did have filled in. So, they have that at a minimum. If they didn't retain the records of the screenshots/communications that led to the original approval and raise of the API daily limit then that is poor recording keeping but understandable in a corporate environment after 10 years.

shermantanktop 2y ago

The API key usually has a contact email. After a year that contact email probably doesn’t work anymore, certainly for free tier. Which underlines what I concluded long ago: the best and most durable form of identity on the internet is rooted in the ability to pay money. Any identity that is free to create is doomed.