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Netflix's public API is dead, but InstantWatcher is not
It's amazing how quickly five months fly by. Netflix announced in June that its public API would shut off and now we've reached the appointed day. As we mentioned then, several of the popular third-party tools built with access to Netflix's services have been chosen to continue on: InstantWatcher, FeedFliks, Can I Stream It?, NextGuide, Flixster, Fanhattan, Yidio and Instant Watch Browser for Netflix. These services matter -- once upon a time Netflix actually promoted them itself -- because they can often help you use Netflix in a more convenient way than its own website and apps do, with features like shareable lists, integration with popular ratings services and more. If you're not already using them, check out our breakdown of how to use Netflix better for more info on what they can add to your streaming experience.
Get the most out of Netflix with these tools -- while you still can
We've heard your complaint: you can't find anything to watch on Netflix. Despite all the A/B testing, app updates and data Netflix is measuring behind the scenes, the way it presents the library makes it nearly impossible to see everything that's available to watch, and sometimes you want to do the choosing instead of letting an algorithm or hired gun do the work. The good news is there are a ton of different ways to sort through the pile -- or ditch sorting for the bliss of random selection -- but the bad news is that some of them will be going away soon (more on that in a minute). If you're not already taking advantage of third party tools like InstantWatcher to dive deep into the catalog, we're here to explain why you should be.
Netflix is shutting down its API, but helpers like InstantWatcher aren't going away
Over a year ago, Netflix announced it was no longer issuing keys to its public API platform, cutting off any potential new developers from joining. That's the service that allowed third-party developers to build apps that gave you different ways to browse and access its library of movies. Today, Netflix's VP of Edge Engineering announced in a blog post that the API will go away entirely as of November 14th. Not all is lost however, as a "small set" of developers have been approved for private access, and the list includes helpful sites and apps like InstantWatcher, FeedFliks, Can I Stream It?, NextGuide, Flixster, Fanhattan, Yidio and Instant Watch Browser for Netflix. Not familiar with them? If you use Netflix, you should be, since they make it easy to browse movies by year, rating, or even what others have recently queued. Of course, some of our other favorite sites like AllFlicks aren't on the approved list, and we've contacted them to find out their fate. [Image credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
