API key authentication

API key authentication is a type of authentication that uses an API key to authenticate requests to ArcGIS services and secure portal items. It is typically used to create public applications that access location services, as well as automation scripts that perform operations using privileges with a personal scope.

API key authentication is the easiest type of authentication to set up, and is the recommended type of authentication for applications that only access location services.

API key authentication

Related terms

  • api key
  • api key legacy
  • access token
  • location service
  • developer dashboard

Your browser is no longer supported. Please upgrade your browser for the best experience. See our browser deprecation post for more details.