An application programming interface (API) is a library or structured set of software tools that provides an interface to a backend software platform, such as a social networking platform, without providing direct access to the underlying source code of the platform.

For example, Facebook™, Twitter™, Instagram™, LinkedIn™, Google Plus™, and Tumblr™ offer APIs so that developers can interface with their social networking platforms, resulting in widespread development of various social network based software applications.

  • Add This – refers to the embedded code on a website that allows the user to subscribe or share via social media in one step.  Analytics also allow the social media site to determine which pages are trending.
  • Application Programming