Welcome to the Netflix Developer Network

The Netflix API allows anyone to build their own Netflix-integrated applications for the web, the desktop, mobile devices or the TV. We do so by providing a range of API methods and data, which we hope will improve the way Netflix customers discover, watch, rate and discuss movies and TV shows.

Why are we doing this?

We want to delight our subscribers. We are always looking for new ways to improve the service but with a small team we can't do it all. We made these API methods available to the developer community to:

• Find new ways for our subscribers to enjoy movies whether or not they're looking at our site.
• Encourage innovation, especially around movie choosing and watching.
• Build Netflix awareness by offering developers a new customer bounty between $9 and $16, through our partner LinkShare.

Get Started Now

• Register for a developer account through Mashery. This account is separate from any Netflix subscriber account you may have. During registration, you will apply for an API key. The API key is your application's unique identifier when making API calls.
• Try other applications in the Application Gallery.
• Read our documentation to become familiar with our API interface.
• Start making API calls right now, through your browser.
• Talk to Netflix engineers and your fellow developers on the Developer Forums.
• Find anything else you need on our Resources page.

The Netflix Brand

There are two kinds of applications, branded and non-branded.

Netflix Branded Applications

The Netflix Branded Partner Program is designed for applications which are projected to reach at least 100,000 unique subscribers within the first year after launch.  These applications must pass a much more rigorous certification process.  Once certified, these applications can use the Netflix brand and logo, play integrated video and have access to additional restricted APIs.  One fine example of a Netflix Branded Application is Netflix in Windows Media Center. Please contact us at apisupport@netflix.com if you are interested in building a Netflix Branded Application and we'll get your Certification process rolling as soon as possible.

Non-Netflix Branded Applications

• May use the Netflix brand and logo, but not in ways that make customers think that we built, endorse, or sponsor them. Please read more on our Branding Requirements and import approved assets from the Naming and Logo Guidelines if you'd like to use our brand.
• May not play Netflix movies inline, but may launch our stand-alone player when a member hits the Play button. Not available for Mobile applications.
• Don't require the Netflix Certification process.
• Must adhere to our API Terms of Service.
• Can be submitted to our Applications Gallery, and may be featured for ten million customers if they meet our guidelines.

Many great non-branded applications have already been built on our APIs; please visit the Applications Gallery to see the full list.

Some examples: InstantWatcher, FeedFliks, NowPlaying, and RottenTomatoes.com.

Some Dos and Don'ts

All developers must follow the API Terms of Service. Here are some highlights:

Delight Customers

Do:

• Help them discover Netflix service and find movies they'll love.
• Respect their privacy and personal information.
• Make it simple to have a great user experience.

Don't:

• Overwhelm them with choices that are inappropriate or irrelevant.
• Ask for or store their Netflix credentials, including login, password, and personal information.
• Complicate the experience, or create confusion or needless distractions. Non-user-initiated pop-ups are a Bad Idea.

Handle Content with Care

Do:

• For Netflix Branded Applications that evoke playback ensure the highest possible quality of experience for video streams.
• Utilize movie metadata--title, synopsis, cast, etc.--and box art, to help customers discover and connect with content.
• Use best-efforts to ensure Netflix honors its commitments to content owners by protecting metadata and streams.

Don't:

• Adjust or alter the content you receive from Netflix, including but not limited to video source, artwork, or metadata.
• Confuse, overlap, obscure, or blend our metadata and box art with information from other sources.
• For applications that evoke playback; display ads anywhere on the screen immediately before, after, or during playback; imply or charge transaction or other fees, or otherwise violate the rules of acceptable content use.

Respect the Netflix Brand

Do:

• Clearly associate the Netflix brand with the Netflix service.
• Present the Netflix brand correctly and consistently throughout the product.
• Use the correct language in describing the Netflix service and provide adequate attribution.

Don't:

• Blur the line or otherwise confuse our customers about the differences between your brand and Netflix's brand, or other Netflix partner brands.
• Alter the Netflix brand in any way, or use non-approved creative assets.
• Misrepresent your service or the features it offers, or fail to attribute Netflix.

Please refer to the Netflix Naming and Branding Guidelines for acceptable assets and additional guidance.

Why all the rules?

• We want to ensure a great customer experience.
• We want things to work.
• We want to protect our customers' privacy.
• We want to honor our obligation to content makers.
• We want to ensure the Netflix brand is used appropriately.

We're actively engaged with our developer community, so please keep an eye on our blog for updates and join us on the Developer Forum if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by for a look at the Netflix API. We can't wait to see what you make of it!