Ask HN: Does anyone have an old Goodreads API key?

#1

Post by bwb » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC

They shut down their API program years ago, but I was hoping to find someone who had an old key I could use.

I run BookDNA.com and it would be helpful for us. Anyone know anybody who still has a legacy key?

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old Goodreads API key?

#2

Post by 1shooner » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 5:46 PM UTC

So your product is a referral to Amazon, and they won't even give you api access to build their referral funnel? That doesn't sound like much of a business partner.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old Goodreads API key?

#3

Post by ligne » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 6:24 PM UTC

You might be out of luck: I believe they expire unused after a fairly short time.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old Goodreads API key?

#4

Post by leros » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 6:31 PM UTC

1shooner wrote: post #2

So your product is a referral to Amazon, and they won't even give you api access to build their referral funnel? That doesn't sound like much of a business partner.

You get access to Amazon's product API only after showing a certain level of success as an affiliate.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old Goodreads API key?

#5

Post by PaiDxng » Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 3:19 AM UTC

[dead]

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone have an old Goodreads API key?

#6

Post by bwb » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 2:59 PM UTC

1shooner wrote: post #2

So your product is a referral to Amazon, and they won't even give you api access to build their referral funnel? That doesn't sound like much of a business partner.

oh gosh no, love books, building it for free. We are direct funded with premium accounts by authors and readers.