Use the Search API to search the Cognism database for contacts and companies that match specific search criteria.
The Search API returns a preview of matching records, allowing you to review available data before retrieving the complete profile using the Redeem API. Search requests do not consume Bulk Credits.
When to use the Search API
Use the Search API when you want to:
- Find new prospects that match specific criteria.
- Search for companies in the Cognism database.
- Build prospecting workflows.
- Review available data before redeeming records.
If you already have a contact or company and simply want to enrich it, use the Enrich API instead.
How the Search API works
The Search API searches the Cognism database using filters that you specify.
Matching records are returned as preview results together with a Redeem ID for each record.
The Redeem ID is required if you want to retrieve the complete contact or company profile.
Search criteria
The Search API supports a wide range of search filters, including:
Contact filters
- First name
- Last name
- Job title
- Seniority
- Management level
- Job function
- Email quality
- Phone availability
- LinkedIn URL
- Location
Company filters
- Company name
- Industry
- Technologies
- Company size
- Revenue
- Website
- Domain
- Location
Multiple filters can be combined to narrow your search results.
For a complete list of supported filters, refer to the Cognism Developer Portal.
Search results
The Search API returns:
- Matching contacts or companies
- A preview of available data
- A Match Score
- A Redeem ID for each matching record
The preview indicates which data is available without exposing the complete profile.
To access the full record, submit the Redeem ID to the Redeem API.
Preview data
Preview responses contain availability indicators for many fields.
For example, the response can indicate whether a record includes:
- Email address
- Mobile phone number
- Direct dial
- LinkedIn profile
- Skills
- Company information
The actual values are only returned after the record has been redeemed.
Search limits
The Search API supports:
- Between 20 and 100 records per request.
- Up to 1,000 records per minute.
Current limits may change over time. Refer to the Cognism Developer Portal for the latest API specifications.
Bulk Credits
Search requests do not consume Bulk Credits.
Bulk Credits are only consumed if you later redeem a contact using the Redeem API.
Next step
Once you've identified the records you want, use the Redeem API to retrieve the complete contact or company profile.