Hoover's API FAQ

What is Hoover's API?
Hoover's API is an application programming interface that allows you to create innovative products to fit your customer's needs using the Hoover's database of 28 million companies and 36 million executives. With Hoover's API you can stream reliable, on-demand information into your web applications, mash-ups or software to deliver valuable business insight about the companies industries and people that drive the economy.
Why was the Hoover's API developed?
By making Hoover's company and people information available for developers to incorporate into their applications, our expectation is that new, innovative ways to use and apply business information will be conceived and implemented.
Who can access Hoover's API?
Publishers, content managers, software providers and developers who want to integrate Hoover's data into a specific platform or application represent the primary consumers for Hoover's API.
How can I get access to the API?
First register for an account and then request an API key.
Are there limitations or restrictions with the API?
Reference our Terms of Use to review any restrictions associated with the API.
What type of content is accessible through Hoover's API?
The following data is available through Hoover's API:
- Company Search - Allows you to search on companies and returns:
  - Company location
  - Phone number
  - Total number of employees
  - Company description
  - Hoover's company ID
  - DUNS number
  - SIC and NAICS codes
  - Annual sales
  - State of incorporation
  - Ownership year
  - Country ID
- People Search - Allows you to search for a person by name, title and company. It returns:
  - Title
  - Age
  - Company name
  - Hoover's officer ID
  - Hoover's company ID
Do I have to give Hoover's access to my Application and how do I do so?
Depending on your proposed use of Hoover's data, an evaluation may be required to ensure the application is in line with the user agreement prior to its release. In most cases, applications that only use Hoover's data internally will not be subject to evaluation. Please contact our business development team to discuss your proposal and begin outlining a user agreement for your application.
What can I do with my Application?
You own the intellectual property in your Application. However, the Terms of Use limit what you do with your Application to the extent that it includes any part of Hoover's API (including any Hoover's content, code or the API) (see Terms of Use ).
How do I correctly attribute Hoover's?
You must attribute Hoover's on each page of your Application using the following credit: “Powered by Hoover's”. The credit should link to www.hoovers.com. For more details on the use of Hoover's logo view our Brand Guidelines.
Who hosts Applications?
You host your Applications.
Are there circumstances which would terminate my access to the API?
We may end your access to Hoover's API and take down your Application by disabling your API key. We may disable your API key if, for example, you violate the Terms of Use. Contact us if you have questions about the Terms of Use.
How do I get started?
Follow these simple steps to begin development:
- Review the code examples to learn what information is provided by Hoover's API.
- Read the blog posts and give us your feedback.
- Register for an account. This allows you to ask and answer questions on the forum.
- Request a development API key and tell us about your application.
- Ask and answer questions on the forum.
- Review the Hoover's brand guidelines.
- Connect with the Hoover's Business Development team when you are ready to discuss pricing, the terms of your contract and to obtain a Production API key.
What if I have additional questions?
Try our forum first for the fastest response to your questions. If you need additional support, contact our support team.
Where can I review the API Documentation?
The API documentation is here.
Where can I view sample code?
The Documentation page contains links to sample code written in Java, .Net, and PHP.
Where do I go for help?
First check out the Forum, Blog and Documentation. If that doesn't help, feel free to drop us a line at hapi-admin@hoovers.com. In time, we'll be adding other services to help you collaborate with other developers.
If I receive an error message while working with the API, what do I do?
If, while developing your application, you receive an error that you don't understand, you can post it to the forum to request assistance. A 403 error could be due to exceeding your daily allotment of API calls in the development environment. The default level is 250 calls per day in the development environment but we review requests to adjust this limit on a case-by-case basis.
Will Hoover's write the application for me?
Hoover's does not currently provide application development services. We have made available an API that you can use to write your own applications.
What are your plans for the API going forward?
We're going to continue to add services that provide more information about companies, industries and people. We will update HooversAPI.com with new features that are included on our Hoover's API road map.
I want additional features. What do I do?
Please let us know your ideas by leaving a message on the forum. We're eager to hear how we can improve the value of the Hoover's API for you. You may also send an email directly to our product team.