For two decades, Gravatar has been an unsung hero of the internet, quietly powering billions of avatars across websites like Slack, OpenAI, Atlassian, and more. Today, we are excited to introduce the latest addition to the Gravatar suite of tools: our new REST API. We redesigned the new API from the ground up to make it simpler and more efficient for developers to integrate Gravatar’s globally recognized avatars and profile data into their apps and websites.
What Is Profiles-as-a-Service?
We’re moving beyond the humble avatar and aiming to be the open platform of choice for publicly sharing all kinds of profile data — bios, interests, preferences, work history, social connections, and more.
We make it simple for anyone to curate the information they want to share, all tied to an email address. Users can share as little or as much as they want and have multiple profiles using different email addresses.
The API allows businesses and developers to access and manage user profile data, simplifying development and enabling more personalized interactions and engaging user experiences.
Getting Started is Simple
Gravatar is free for both end users and developers. We just ask developers to link back to Gravatar to make it easy for users to update their profile information.
Visit our Developer Dashboard to register an API key and access the interactive console, which will help you get up and running quickly.
We have detailed docs and a reference tutorial, too.
Tailored for Developers
You can retrieve detailed profile information, including avatars, display names, job titles, verified accounts, and contact info — all linked to a user’s email address.
The API is designed to be developer-friendly, and comprehensive documentation makes it easy to integrate into any application or website. We’re also rolling out open-source mobile SDKs and web components.
Why Integrate With Gravatar?
- Smooth user onboarding
- Know your customer better
- Foster community
- Simplify development
You choose exactly the data you need to optimize for performance and user experience.
This Is Just The Beginning
The real power of this API will evolve over time as more data points are added, including user-managed interests and social graphs.
We’ll soon roll out more customization options on public profile pages, including the option to use any domain, with the end goal of a domain being another option for identity on the web.
Plus, we are exploring options for being a Web3 bridge with decentralized profiles and more user control in data storage and access. Stay tuned!
Gravatar Blog
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Gravatar’s new REST API is a game-changer, making it easier for developers to integrate detailed profile information and enhance user engagement. With simple onboarding, free access, and comprehensive documentation, it’s perfect for creating personalized user experiences. Excited to see the evolution and new features like Web3 integration!
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