How do I Handle RocketReach API Requests, Responses, and Errors?

The RocketReach API allows you to programmatically search and retrieve contact information for professionals and companies. This guide will help you understand API responses, error codes, rate limits, and troubleshooting steps.

Key Takeaways

• RocketReach API responses contain status codes and structured data for processing.
• Error handling is essential for managing unsuccessful API requests.
• Rate limits apply—exceeding them triggers a 429 Too Many Requests error.
• Webhooks help automate workflows and reduce unnecessary polling.
• Troubleshooting tools like API logs and error messages can help diagnose issues.
• Track API usage in the RocketReach API Settings dashboard.

Understanding RocketReach API Responses and Error Codes

Each API request returns a response with a status code and data. Understanding these responses helps you determine the success or failure of a request.

Common API Response Codes

🚨 Tip: Always check the response body for additional details about errors.

Example API Response (Success)

{
  "id": 5244,
  "status": "complete",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "current_employer": "Google",
  "current_title": "Software Engineer",
  "emails": [
    {
      "email": "johndoe@google.com",
      "type": "professional",
      "valid": "true"
    }
  ]
}

Example API Response (Error)

{
  "status": 401,
  "message": "Invalid API Key"
}

How to Troubleshoot Common RocketReach API Issues

Errors can occur due to authentication failures, invalid parameters, or rate limit violations. Here’s how to handle common errors:

Handling Authentication Errors (401 Unauthorized)

If your API requests are failing, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Checking API Error Logs

To review recent errors and API usage:

1. 1. Go to RocketReach API Usage & Settings from your Account Settings
   2. Check the API Recent Error section for request history and error messages.
   3. Use this information to adjust your API calls.

Handling Rate Limit Errors

If you receive a 429 Too Many Requests response:

1. Check the Retry-After header in the API response to see how long to wait.
2. Slow down your request rate by implementing a delay in your code.
3. Use webhooks instead of polling to reduce API calls.
4. Upgrade to a paid plan for higher rate limits—contact sales@rocketreach.co.

Example: Handling Rate Limits in Python

import time
import requests

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"
url = "https://api.rocketreach.co/api/v2/person/lookup"
headers = {"Api-Key": api_key}
params = {"name": "John Doe"}

response = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)

if response.status_code == 429:
    retry_after = int(response.headers.get("Retry-After", 5))
    print(f"Rate limit exceeded. Retrying in {retry_after} seconds...")
    time.sleep(retry_after)
    response = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)

Next Steps

Now that you understand how to handle API requests and responses, here’s what you can do next:

• How do I Perform a Person Lookup Using the RocketReach API? – Find professionals using the API.
• How do I Lookup Company Information Using the RocketReach API? – Look up businesses and metadata.
• How do I Use Webhooks in the RocketReach API? – Automate contact retrieval without polling.
• How do I Handle RocketReach API Requests, Responses, and Errors? – Learn how to make efficient API calls.

You Might Also Like

• API Documentation
• Getting Started with the RocketReach API
• How to Find Contacts Using Advanced Search Filters
• Lookup Credits vs. Export Credits
• How API Rate Limits Work
• How to Track API Usage in RocketReach