Help / The Flickr API

If you've got questions on how to use Flickr, you want to report a bug, or you'd like to contact us, use the menu on the right to get started.

If you'd like to do a little self-help, you can browse the FAQs and Help Forum.

Or, if you've a question on how to behave on Flickr, then the Community Guidelines might be what you're looking for.

What are you having trouble with?

FAQs you might find helpful (3)

  • I am not a programmer - what exactly is the Flickr API and what does it mean to me?

    API stands for Application Programming Interface which allows outside ("third party") applications or websites to communicate with Flickr and exchange information. This exchange allows developers to create cool programs or services that make use of data from Flickr. That might mean allowing you to use your photos to make a calendar, introducing new ways for presenting public photos, or enhancing your Flickr experience with tools or features which Flickr doesn't offer directly.

    There are many popular third party applications built by clever developers, and Flickr's open API allows them to create these. Some developers create games, screen savers, photo albums, and lots more. For some samples, check out the App Garden.

    API developers have to agree to a number of things in a separate TOS in order to create an application based on it. Some of these things are:

    • Comply with the Flickr Community Guidelines
    • Respect the copyright and usage restrictions on member content
    • Remove content from an application upon direct request by a member to the developer
    • Disclose how any information gathered is used on their site

    Please note: It is possible for developers to build unauthorised applications that access public photos on Flickr. Not everything you see is built upon the Flickr API.

  • How do I opt-out of the Flickr API?

    If you would like your images to be excluded from Flickr API applications that search Flickr for content, you may opt out here, checking the 2nd and/or 3rd boxes on that page to hide your images and/or your profile from API searches.

    Please note: If you hide your profile from searches, this will hide your screen name from profile searches on Flickr and some applications that use this, like Facebook.

    On the main privacy options page, you also have the ability to change settings for others sharing your stuff (including embed codes and the Blog This button), who can print and who can download your originals.

  • I'd like to report abuse on an app or site that I think is abusing the Flickr API

    Ok then. If you see a site that you think may be abusing the Flickr API, you may use Report Abuse to tell us. The more specific you can be in your message, the better. For instance, if you saw an image of yours on a particular site, tell us how you came across it on the site. If you had to search for it, let us know how you did it.

Still need API help?

Flickr's API developers don't monitor the Help Forum. If you have a question for them, the best place to ask it is on the API mailing list.

If you think someone is abusing the API, you can let us know through Report Abuse.