---
title: "What is a REST API? – Invenitor"
description: "A REST API lets your own code send a request to a service over the web and get a structured answer. Here is what that looks like for finding people."
url: https://invenitor.com/glossary/rest-api
agents: https://invenitor.com/llms.txt
mcp: https://api.invenitor.com/mcp
---

[Home](https://invenitor.com/)/[Glossary](https://invenitor.com/glossary)/REST API

Glossary

# What is a REST API?

A REST API is a way for your own code to send a request to a service over the web and get a structured answer back, usually as JSON.

By Invenitor team. Updated 2026-11-01.

## Why would you use one?

You use one when a person clicking a screen is too slow or does not fit: inside your own product, in a nightly task, or in a form that adds details to new signups.

## What do you need to call it?

Usually a secret key, sent in a header, and a URL. Keep the key out of browser code and out of any URL. Read the [Invenitor API docs](https://invenitor.com/docs) for the exact calls.

## Guides on this

- [How to use a people search API: a developer's guide](https://invenitor.com/guides/people-search-api-for-developers)

## Related terms

- [MCP (Model Context Protocol)](https://invenitor.com/glossary/mcp)
- [People search API](https://invenitor.com/glossary/people-search-api)

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