API (Anwendungsprogrammierschnittstelle)
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. In localization, APIs automate the flow of content between a CMS (like WordPress) and translation systems, eliminating manual file transfers and enabling real-time updates.
Automation is the Key to Scale
Without an API, multilingual content management is a nightmare: download content to CSV, email to translators, wait days, upload translated CSV, fix formatting errors, repeat for every update. With an API, you click "Publish" in WordPress and the translation system automatically receives the content, processes it, and publishes translated versions—all within minutes. This is essential for high-velocity businesses: news sites publishing 50 articles/day, e-commerce stores adding 100 products/week, SaaS platforms shipping features monthly. APIs also enable "Login with Google," payment processing (Stripe API), and AI integrations (OpenAI API).
Manual File Transfer vs. API Automation
Auswirkungen in der realen Welt
News site manually sends articles to translators via email
Translated articles published 48 hours after English
Loses trending traffic, international revenue suffers
Integrate translation API with CMS
Translations auto-published within 2 hours
Captures trending traffic, international revenue +180%