[Term of the Day]: Webhook

Term of the Day

"Webhook"

Definition — What is a Webhook?

A Webhook, sometimes referred to as a "reverse API" is an HTTP callback that facilitates the communication from an application or service to another that takes place following a pre-defined event.

Whilst Webhooks and APIs are similar to each other, Webhooks are ultimately simpler.

When you build your application and want to connect it to another using an API, the API needs to make a "call" for the data at certain intervals.

Whereas with Webhooks, receive calls through HTTP POSTs from other applications only when those have some data updates.

For example, MailChimp provides webhooks to the users, for events such as Subscribes, Unsubscribes, Profile updates and so on. So if you have a weekly newsletter, you'll be immediately notified when someone changes their email id, which you can then update in the subscribers' list in your CRM system.