--- title: "Choose an API or public extraction" url: https://www.datawebot.com/blog/web-scraping-vs-official-apis-ecommerce description: "Match the access method to the data you are authorized to use. Choose based on needed fields and access, not the word API alone. datawebot's API manages extraction; it does not grant access to a merchant's private data." updated: 2026-09-14 author: datawebot team --- Extraction guide # Choose an API or public extraction Match the access method to the data you are authorized to use. Updated September 14, 2026 · datawebot team [← All guides](https://www.datawebot.com/blog)Field map ↓Try the workflow ↗ 01 / INPUT**Required fields + source ownership** 02 / YOUR WORKFLOW**Check access, coverage and scope** 03 / OUTPUT**A documented retrieval choice** ## Keep the right fields. Workflow field map | Field / step | Input | Rule | | --- | --- | --- | | Merchant API | Authorized store credentials | Useful when the owner can grant access. | | Public source | Public page or reviewed feed | Fields depend on what the source exposes. | | Export | Authorized existing dataset | Check age, scope and reuse conditions. | ## Before you use the output Choose based on needed fields and access, not the word API alone. datawebot's API manages extraction; it does not grant access to a merchant's private data. ## Check one record first. Start with the smallest useful scope. Compare the returned record with its source, confirm variant identity and inspect missing fields before applying the mapping to a larger dataset. Keep extraction warnings and the retrieval timestamp with downstream output. When a required field is missing, leave it unresolved or return to the source; do not fill it from an assumption. Working references [Product and variant schema ↗](https://www.datawebot.com/docs/data) · [Supported endpoints ↗](https://www.datawebot.com/scraper) · [Incomplete or unavailable results ↗](https://www.datawebot.com/docs/troubleshooting) [Continue this workflow](https://www.datawebot.com/docs/inputs)