Goodreads API retired: what still works for Goodreads data
The official pages mark the Goodreads public developer API as retired or closed. What they say, what replaced it and the catalogue Actors that return Goodreads data now.
Short answer
New Goodreads book catalogue projects need an access route beyond the retired public developer API. Goodreads no longer issues developer keys and offers no replacement public API.
Status checked 2026-11-12. Routes that work for Goodreads data
The official route first, then the catalogue Actors that fit this problem, by their published fields. Store figures are the publisher's public numbers.
Official price: No new API keys are issued. Compare all 9 Goodreads routes.
Routes that work for IMDb data
The official route first, then the catalogue Actors that fit this problem, by their published fields. Store figures are the publisher's public numbers.
Official price: The AWS Marketplace listing for IMDb and Box Office Mojo (API) shows $400,000 for a 12-month contract plus $0.00000093 per 100 bytes of data returned. A separate free listing, IMDb Complete Dataset Free Trial (API), is also on AWS Marketplace. Compare all 9 IMDb routes.
What is verified
| Fact | Value |
|---|
| Status | Retired |
| What the official pages say | As of December 8, 2020, Goodreads stopped issuing new developer keys for its public developer API and said it plans to retire these tools. No replacement public API is offered |
| Price and access now | No new API keys are issued |
| Limits | New keys are not available since December 8, 2020. The help article renders client-side; the statement was read from the official Goodreads Developers group |
Developer registration has closed
The official Goodreads notice says Goodreads stopped issuing new developer keys and planned to retire its developer tools. A new integration cannot start by registering for a public API key.
Choose an alternative by coverage
No replacement public API is offered. When evaluating a Goodreads collection Actor, check its Store listing for supported pages, returned book information and access requirements; those details determine whether it covers the job previously handled by the API.
What works now
New-key registration is closed, and Goodreads offers no replacement public API. For a new book catalogue integration, evaluate a collection Actor through its Store listing and confirm that its coverage matches the information your application needs.
Questions people ask
Can I get a new Goodreads API key?
Goodreads no longer issues new developer keys for its public API. New projects need another access route.
Did Goodreads launch a replacement public API?
Goodreads offers no replacement public API. Assess alternative collection services against the book information your application needs.
Does the retirement notice confirm whether an old key still works?
The notice confirms that new keys stopped being issued and announces retirement of the developer tools. Verify any existing integration directly before relying on an old key.
What should I check in a Goodreads Actor listing?
Check which Goodreads pages it supports and what book information it returns. Also review its access requirements and usage terms before building around it.
Sources
Every dated claim on this page comes from the public sources below. Check the source before you make a business decision on it.
Content updated 2026-11-12Data checked 2026-11-12