Use the Cognism API to programmatically search, enrich, and retrieve high-quality B2B contact and company data from the Cognism database.
The Cognism API enables developers to integrate Cognism data into their own applications, CRM systems, data warehouses, and automation workflows. Using REST APIs, you can search for new prospects, enrich existing records, preview available data, and retrieve complete contact and company profiles without using the Cognism Web Application.
What can you do with the Cognism API?
The Cognism API allows you to:
- Search the Cognism database for contacts and companies.
- Enrich existing records in your CRM or internal systems.
- Preview available Cognism data before redeeming records.
- Retrieve complete contact and company profiles.
- Integrate Cognism data into your own applications, workflows, and ETL processes.
Available APIs
The Cognism API consists of three primary services.
Search API
Use the Search API to search the Cognism database using filters such as job title, company, industry, location, seniority, technologies, and more.
The Search API returns a preview of matching records together with a Redeem ID, which can be used to retrieve the full profile.
Enrich API
Use the Enrich API when you already have a contact or company record and want Cognism to find the best matching profile.
The Enrich API matches records using identifiers such as email address, LinkedIn URL, company domain, or website, and returns a preview together with a Redeem ID.
Redeem API
Use the Redeem API to retrieve the complete contact or company profile after receiving a Redeem ID from either the Search API or Enrich API.
The data returned depends on your organisation's configured API entitlements.
Typical API workflow
Most integrations follow one of these workflows.
Search workflow
- Search for contacts or companies.
- Review the preview results.
- Select the records you want to access.
- Redeem the records to retrieve the complete profile.
Enrichment workflow
- Submit an existing contact or company record.
- Cognism finds the best available match.
- Review the preview response.
- Redeem the record to retrieve the complete profile.
Bulk Credits
The Cognism API uses Bulk Credits when redeeming contact records.
- Search and Enrich requests allow you to preview available data without consuming Bulk Credits.
- Bulk Credits are consumed when redeeming contact records.
- Redeeming company records does not consume Bulk Credits.
- Once a contact has been redeemed, subsequent redeems of the same contact do not consume additional Bulk Credits.
For more information, see Authentication & Bulk Credits.
API Entitlements
API Entitlements determine which data fields your organisation can access through the Cognism API.
For example, your entitlements may include:
- Email addresses
- Mobile phone numbers
- Direct dials
- Company information
- Technologies
- Hiring data
- Skills
- Education
- Previous employment history
Only data included within your organisation's API entitlement is returned by the Redeem API.
Note: 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 to discuss updating your API entitlement.
Getting started
To begin using the Cognism API:
- Ensure your subscription includes API access.
- Confirm your API Entitlements have been configured.
- Generate an API token.
- Review the Cognism Developer Portal for endpoint documentation.
- Build and test your integration.
Developer documentation
The Help Centre provides guidance on setting up and using the Cognism API.
For endpoint specifications, request and response schemas, authentication examples, SDK information, and technical reference material, refer to the official Cognism Developer Portal.