Netflix runs on over 800 different device types, from smart TVs to mobile phones.
To manage this complexity, Netflix uses Zuul , an open-source gateway that handles routing, traffic management, and resiliency. 3. Moving Toward GraphQL and Federated Search Redesigning the Netflix API Netflix API [2022].svb
The modern Netflix API is built on the philosophy of "Embracing the Differences". Unlike a standard REST API that delivers the same data to every requester, Netflix uses a approach. This is necessary because: Netflix runs on over 800 different device types,
A "one-size-fits-all" (OSFA) response is often too bloated for smaller devices or too simple for complex interfaces. Moving Toward GraphQL and Federated Search Redesigning the
Launched in 2008, the original Netflix API was intended to allow third-party developers to build innovative experiences around Netflix metadata. By 2012, however, Netflix realized that maintaining a public API was not optimal for its core business goals—streaming and international growth. The public program was largely retired in 2014, shifting the focus toward a ecosystem designed to support their own internal UI teams and specialized devices. 2. Architectural Redesign: Embracing Device Differences