Does Facebook have an API?
Yes. Meta provides Graph API, Marketing API, and Ad Library API for Pages, ad accounts, and assets you manage or that grant permission. Public-data APIs separately cover public pages, posts, groups, Marketplace helpers, and Ad Library research Meta's official API doesn't extend to.
What the official Meta API actually covers
Graph and Marketing APIs center on Facebook Login, app review, and tokens for assets you own or administer — publishing, Page insights, Messenger, ads reporting. App review is real overhead, scoped to your assets.
Graph API doesn't do general public lookup. You can't hand it an arbitrary public Page name and get a full profile — access is gated to what your app is authorized to see.
The exception: Ad Library API
Ad Library API exposes running ads (advertiser, creative, spend/reach ranges for political/issue ads) without Graph's business verification bar. Ads only — not organic posts, profiles, or groups.
What a public-data Facebook API covers instead
Social Fetch includes Facebook in the 21-platform catalog (165 ops): public profiles/pages, posts, reels, groups, Marketplace helpers, transcripts, Ad Library search — one sfk_… key, { data, meta } envelope.
A page lookup returns name, category, followers, about text; a post lookup returns text, reaction/comment counts, media links — no admin access required.
Common mistakes when comparing the two
Assuming Graph access generalizes to competitor research — your Page token can't pull a competitor's post history.
Conflating Ad Library with general public data — ads only, not organic posts or Marketplace.
Treating lookupStatus not_found as a bug — HTTP 200, billed completed lookup, not a retry case.
What a public-data API does not do
Public data only — private profiles, closed groups, login-gated content are out of scope.
Try /tools/facebook-ad-library first. Manage your own assets → Meta official APIs. Research and Ad Library monitoring → public-data API like Social Fetch.
FAQ
Does Facebook have a public API for posts?
Not general from Meta — Graph is scoped to authorized assets. Public-data APIs cover public page/post lookups Graph doesn't.
Can Graph API look up any public Facebook page?
No. Typically Pages you own or administer — not arbitrary public enrichment.
How do I get Facebook Ad Library data?
Meta's Ad Library API (ads only) or Social Fetch Ad Library routes — see /tools/facebook-ad-library.
Does Social Fetch replace Marketing API?
No. Public lookups and Ad Library research only — keep Meta for ads account management and owner insights.
Where do I try Facebook Ad Library without code?
/tools/facebook-ad-library, then /platforms/facebook and API docs.
Do Facebook lookups cost credits?
Yes on metered routes. Ad Library and list routes may differ from a single page GET — check each operation.
Can I scrape a private Facebook group with a public-data API?
No. Closed groups and login-gated content are out of scope.
Do I need Meta app review to use a public-data Facebook API?
No. Social Fetch uses sfk_… via x-api-key — no Meta app or review for public lookups.