> **For coding agents and LLMs:** This is one Social Fetch marketing page (markdown export). For API orientation start with [`/llms.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms.txt); for auth and crawl rules use [`/agents.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/agents.txt); for every operation use [`/llms-endpoints.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms-endpoints.txt).

## This page

- **On-site (HTML):** <https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/hackernews/users-username>
- **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** <https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/hackernews/users-username.mdx>

---

# Hacker News User API

Resolve a case-sensitive HN username to karma, about text, and account createdAt — before you page submissions or comments.

`GET /v1/hackernews/users/{username}` is the dedicated profile lookup. Pass the case-sensitive username, send `x-api-key`, and read `data.lookupStatus` before you write a row. On `found`, `data.profile` carries username, createdAt, karma, about, and profileUrl. `not_found` returns null profile; HTTP 200 still means the request finished.

Credit pricing for this operation comes from the API registry and appears on this page, and `meta.creditsCharged` is the billing source of truth. For submissions, comments, or public favorites, use the separate paths under the same username — this endpoint stops at the profile card.

## Request

- **Endpoint:** `GET /v1/hackernews/users/{username}`
- **Credits:** 1 credit
Failed requests are free
- **Input:** by username
- **Full reference:** [docs](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api/v1/hackernews/users/username/get)
- **Platform page:** [/platforms/hackernews](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/hackernews)

## FAQ

### How do I fetch a Hacker News user profile?

Call GET /v1/hackernews/users/{username} with your Social Fetch API key in the x-api-key header. Usernames are case-sensitive. Read data.lookupStatus, then data.profile.

### How many credits does a Hacker News user lookup cost?

Pricing is documented on the operation in the API registry (shown on this page). Confirm on every response with meta.creditsCharged — that field is the billing source of truth.

### Are Hacker News usernames case-sensitive?

Yes. Pass the exact username as it appears on news.ycombinator.com. A casing mismatch can resolve as not_found even when a similarly named account exists.

### What does lookupStatus mean?

found means data.profile is populated. not_found means the username did not resolve. Always branch on lookupStatus before treating the payload as a found user.

### What fields does the user profile include?

On found: username, createdAt, karma, about (may be empty), and profileUrl. Exact nullability lives in the OpenAPI schema for this route.

### Is this the same as listing submissions or comments?

No. This endpoint returns the profile card only. Use GET /v1/hackernews/users/{username}/submissions, /comments, or /favorites for activity lists (separate marketplace operations).

### Can I use this for author enrichment?

Yes. Teams hydrate author cards from story or comment hits, then optionally page submissions or public favorites for deeper analysis. Persist meta.requestId on misses.