❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔐 Authentication & Access

Q: What kind of authentication do IBISWorld APIs use?
A: We use OAuth 2.0 for authentication. You’ll need a Client ID and API-enabled username/password to obtain a token. See Authentication page

Q: How do I get access to the API?
A: Contact your IBISWorld account manager to enable API access. Once approved, you’ll receive credentials. See Getting Started page

Q: How long is the access token valid?
A: Tokens typically expire after 24 hours, after which you’ll need to refresh or reauthenticate. See Authentication page

Q: Do you offer trial access?
A: Yes - for certain clients, we offer trial access to the API. Please contact your IBISWorld account manager. Alternatively, all endpoints are documented to show sample resposnes.

📊 Data & Endpoints

Q: What types of data are available via the API?
A: The API provides access to:

Industry Research Reports

Risk Ratings

Business Environment Profiles

ESG Risk Assessments (UK, Australia, Germany)

Segment Benchmarking (US)

Company Profiles (Australia)
See Product Suite Overview

Q: What endpoints are available?
A: You can retrieve report metadata, download full reports, fetch specific report sections, view updates, and access classification concordance. See details for specific products here:

Industry

Business Environment Profiles

Company

List of Classification System Titles and Codes

Q: In which countries or regions is data available?
A: Coverage includes: United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Europe, and China. See Coverage Map

Q: What output formats are supported?
A: All responses are provided in JSON format.

⚡ Rate Limits, Data Size & Performance

Q: What are the API rate limits?
A: Default limits are:

10 calls per second

100 calls per minute

5,000 calls per hour

See Rate Limits page

Q: How large are payloads and how long do downloads take?
A: See full details here: Rate Limits & Data Size

🔄 Versioning & Environments

Q: How are API versions managed?
A: Versions are included in the URL (e.g., /industry/v3/). Older versions remain accessible but may eventually be deprecated. See Versioning Policy

Q: Do I need to upgrade for every change?
A: No - only for breaking changes that ship in a new major.

Q: Will you ever change behavior without notice?
A: Security/abuse fixes may ship urgently; otherwise we post to the Changelog and, for breaking changes, send email to account contacts.

Q: How long do you support an old major?
A: We aim for 12 - 18 months minimum after a new major version, unless security or third-party constraints require faster sunset.

🗄️ Caching & Data Updates

Q: Can I cache API responses?
A: Yes, caching is permitted. However, report content updates frequently, so refresh your cache periodically.

Q: How can I check which reports were recently updated?
A: Use the /updatedreports endpoints with a date range filter to retrieve a list of updated reports. For example, see Recently Updated Industry Reports List

Q: How often is data refreshed?
A: Most reports are updated annually or semi-annually; high-volatility industries may update more frequently.

🧭 Classification & Concordance

Q: Can I map IBISWorld industries to NAICS, ANZSIC, UK-SIC, or ISIC codes?
A: Yes — the Classifications endpoints supports mapping between IBISWorld and external classification systems.

Q: What if an industry doesn’t have a one-to-one match?
A: Some IBISWorld industries align to multiple NAICS/ISIC codes; the API returns all relevant mappings. Classification System to IBISWorld Report Concordance

📞 Support & Resources

Q: How do I contact technical support?
A: Email clientsupport@ibisworld.com

Q: Where can I see what’s new or upcoming?
A: Check the Release Notes for version updates and new features.

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔐 Authentication & Access#

📊 Data & Endpoints#

⚡ Rate Limits, Data Size & Performance#

🔄 Versioning & Environments#

🗄️ Caching & Data Updates#

🧭 Classification & Concordance#