This article answers common questions about the Cognism API.
What is the Cognism API?
The Cognism API allows you to programmatically search, enrich and retrieve contact and company data from the Cognism database.
You can integrate it with your CRM, internal applications, data warehouse, ETL processes or any platform that can make REST API requests.
What APIs are available?
The Cognism API includes three primary APIs:
- Search API – Search for contacts and companies that match specific criteria.
- Enrich API – Find the best Cognism match for an existing contact or company.
- Redeem API – Retrieve the complete contact or company profile.
What is the difference between the Search API and Enrich API?
The Search API is designed for prospecting.
Use it when you want to find new contacts or companies based on search criteria such as job title, company, location, or industry.
The Enrich API is designed for enrichment.
Use it when you already have a contact or company record and want Cognism to find the best matching profile.
Why do I need the Redeem API?
The Search API and Enrich API return a preview of matching records together with a Redeem ID.
To retrieve the complete contact or company profile, you must use the Redeem API.
Do Search and Enrich requests consume Credits?
No.
Search and Enrich API requests return preview data only and do not consume Credits.
Credits are only consumed when redeeming contact records.
When are Credits consumed?
Credits are consumed when:
- Redeeming a contact using the Redeem API.
Credits are not consumed when:
- Searching for contacts or companies.
- Enriching contacts or companies.
- Redeeming company records.
- Redeeming a contact that has already been redeemed previously.
Are company redemptions free?
Yes.
Redeeming company records does not consume Credits.
Only contact redemptions use Credits.
Can I redeem the same contact more than once?
Yes.
Once a contact has been redeemed, subsequent redemptions of the same contact do not consume additional Credits.
What are API Entitlements?
API Entitlements determine which data fields your organisation can access through the Cognism API.
The Redeem API only returns fields included in your configured API Entitlements.
Who configures API Entitlements?
API Entitlements are configured by the Cognism Provisioning team following approval from your Account Manager.
If you require access to additional data fields, contact your Account Manager.
How do I authenticate API requests?
All Cognism API requests require authentication using an API token.
Each request must include your API token in the Authorization header.
For more information, see Generate an API Token.
Can I generate multiple API tokens?
Yes.
You can create multiple API tokens and manage them from Settings > Tokens & API.
Each token has its own creation date and expiry date.
What happens if my API token expires?
Expired tokens can no longer authenticate API requests.
Generate a new API token and update your integration or application with the new token before continuing.
Can I limit the data returned by the API?
Yes.
The data returned depends on your organisation's configured API Entitlements.
If your API Entitlements do not include a field, the API will not return it.
How many records can I process?
The Cognism API applies endpoint-specific limits.
For example:
- Search API supports 20–100 records per request.
- Redeem API supports 1–20 Redeem IDs per request.
Current rate limits and throughput depend on the endpoint and your subscription.
Refer to the Cognism Developer Portal for the latest limits.
Where can I find request examples and endpoint documentation?
The Help Centre explains how the Cognism API works and how to configure it.
For endpoint specifications, request and response examples, authentication details, and supported parameters, refer to the official Cognism Developer Portal.