The YellowAPI allows developers to access over 1.5 million Canadian business listings with latitude and longitude data. It has a RESTful architecture that uses GET requests to retrieve business information in XML or JSON formats. Developers can register for sandbox and live API keys to use four methods - FindBusiness for search, GetBusinessDetails for listing details, FindDealer for related businesses, and GetTypeAhead for autocomplete suggestions. The API is currently in beta but provides resources for documentation, support forums, and SDKs to help developers build apps using Canadian business data.

1. YellowAPIA brief introduction to the API from the Yellow Pages

2. What is it?

3. What is YellowAPI?Allows developers to access 1.5 million Canadian business listingsAll listings are located with their latitude and longitudeFree to useIf you develop a successful app the Yellow Pages will pay youCurrently in Beta

4. How can I use it?

5. YellowAPI BasicsRegister to useGranted two API keys:Sandbox API Key (development)Live API KeyTo begin with only Sandbox key will be activatedOnce your application is complete Yellow Pages will review it and activate the live keyCalls to API rate limited but limit is negotiableSome restrictions on how data is used

6. API ArchitectureREST architectureAll methods accessed via GETResponses returned as XML (default) or JSONFour methods currently available:FindBusinessGetBusinessDetailsFindDealerGetTypeAhead

7. API Methods

8. FindbusinessWhat Where search‘What’ can be a category, business name or anything in between‘Where’ can be passed in two ways:Place (e.g. Guelph, ON)Lat/Lon point. If place is passed as Lat/Lon each result is returned with distance to search point calculated and in order from closest to furthestResults returned in chunks of 40 by default

9. GetBusinessdetailsMethod still being finalisedProvides full details on an individual businessData available ranges from address, opening hours to adverts, videos and logosNeed a listing id (retrieved from FindBusiness) to call this method

10. FinddealerUsed to return a list of all dealers/franchises for a businessListing can be a ‘parent’ or ‘child’ listing if it falls into this categoryFindBusiness will indicate if a listing is/has a parent

11. GettypeaheadMethod not yet availableUsed to return suggestions based on what a user has typedCan return suggestions for what or whereFor example, if a user enters ‘res’ for what ‘restaurant’ could be returned, along with other suggestions

12. Where can I find out more?

13. YellowAPI resourcesCheck out http://www.yellowapi.comFull documentation on the API, support forums, app gallery and SDK’s in many languagesLots of support available from Yellow Pages staffBig plans for future of API including deals/offers and reviews

14. What kind of apps can I build with it?

15. ThanksFeel free to contact me:Twitter: JCook21Email: jeremycook0@gmail.comBlog: http://jeremycook.caRendezview:http://rendezview.caTwitter: RendezviewappYellow API:http://www.yellowapi.com