What’s Not Available in the API (and Why)

Overview

While the VerseDB API provides extensive access to comic data and user features, certain functionality is intentionally excluded from the public API. These decisions prioritize security, data integrity, spam prevention, and user safety.

This article explains what's not available via the API and why these limitations exist.

Features NOT Available via API

1. User Registration & Account Management

Not available:

• Creating new user accounts
• Email verification
• Password reset/changes
• Account deletion

Why:

• Prevents automated bot signups
• Requires email verification for spam control
• Security-sensitive operations need web UI safeguards
• CAPTCHA and other anti-abuse measures required

Use instead: https://versedb.com/register

2. Content Edit Submissions

Not available:

• Submitting edits to series, issues, characters
• Contributing new data to the database
• Uploading cover images (non-admin)
• Suggesting corrections or additions

Why:

• Requires approval workflow and moderation
• Prevents mass automated spam submissions
• Needs trust score calculation and review system
• XP/gamification tied to web-based submissions

Note: Admin API endpoints exist for these operations, but require special permissions.

Use instead: https://versedb.com - Use "Edit Content" buttons on entity pages

3. Writing Reviews (Currently)

Limited availability:

• Reviews can be READ via API
• Writing/editing reviews is web-only

API endpoints available:

GET /api/issues/{id}/reviews     # Read reviews (public)
GET /api/reviews/{id}             # Get specific review

Not yet available:

POST /api/issues/{id}/reviews     # Write review (coming soon)
PUT /api/reviews/{id}              # Update review
DELETE /api/reviews/{id}           # Delete review

Why:

• Spam and abuse prevention
• Requires rate limiting beyond standard API limits
• Review quality control and moderation needed
• May be added for verified Pro users in future

Use instead: Review system on issue pages at versedb.com

4. Content Reporting & Moderation

Not available:

• Reporting incorrect data
• Flagging inappropriate content
• Reporting abuse or policy violations
• Disputing edit rejections

Why:

• Requires manual review and context
• Needs moderation workflow and staff tools
• Prevents automated abuse of reporting system
• Sensitive to misuse for harassment

Use instead: Report buttons on content pages

5. Admin & Moderator Operations

Not available to regular users:

• Approving/rejecting content edits
• Managing user permissions
• Bulk operations on database
• Reward configuration changes
• User moderation actions

Why:

• Security-critical operations
• Requires special authentication and audit logging
• Reserved for verified admin accounts
• Prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data

Note: Admin API endpoints exist at /api/admin/* but require admin privileges and special authentication.

6. Social Features

Not available:

• Direct messaging between users
• Following other users (different from following titles)
• Activity feed/timeline
• Commenting on content (outside reviews)

Why:

• Not yet implemented in the platform
• Would require significant anti-spam measures
• Privacy and moderation concerns
• May be added in future iterations

7. Payment & Subscription Management

Limited availability:

• Cannot process payments via API
• Cannot upgrade/downgrade subscriptions via API
• Cannot manage billing information via API

Why:

• PCI compliance requirements
• Security concerns with payment data
• Requires secure payment gateway integration
• Best handled through web UI with proper security

Use instead: https://versedb.com/subscription

8. Bulk Import/Export (Non-Admin)

Not available:

• Mass importing collection from CSV
• Exporting entire database subsets
• Batch creating multiple issues/series
• Downloading large datasets

Why:

• Rate limiting concerns
• Server resource management
• Data integrity and validation requirements
• Admin-only feature for database management

For admins: Bulk operations available at /api/admin/bulk/*

Use instead: Import/export features on website (for personal data)

What IS Available via API

For clarity, here's what you CAN do:

✅ Reading Data (Public)

• Browse publishers, series, issues, characters
• Search creators and characters
• View story arcs and reading orders
• Access public user profiles and collections
• Find comic shops and inventory

✅ Managing Personal Data (Authenticated)

• Add/remove items from collection
• Manage wishlist
• Update pull list
• Track reading progress
• Follow/unfollow titles
• Update profile settings
• Manage API tokens

✅ Admin Operations (Admin-Only)

• Full CRUD on all entities
• Upload covers from URLs
• Import data from ComicVine/Marvel APIs
• Manage reviews, user reads, blog posts
• Create story arcs and manage associations

Why These Limits Exist

Security & Safety

• Prevent automated abuse and spam
• Protect user privacy and data
• Require human verification for sensitive operations
• Maintain database integrity

Quality Control

• Ensure manual review of user contributions
• Prevent mass low-quality data submissions
• Allow proper moderation of user-generated content
• Maintain trust score and reputation systems

Performance & Resources

• Prevent API abuse and system overload
• Manage server resources effectively
• Ensure fair access for all users
• Protect against denial-of-service scenarios

Legal & Compliance

• Meet payment processing security requirements
• Comply with data protection regulations
• Prevent unauthorized data access
• Maintain audit trails for sensitive operations

Future API Additions

Some features may be added to the API in the future with appropriate safeguards:

Under Consideration:

• Review writing for verified Pro users
• Bulk operations with strict rate limits
• Webhook notifications for new releases
• Advanced export formats
• Content suggestion API (with approval workflow)

Requirements for new features:

• Strong authentication and verification
• Abuse prevention mechanisms
• Clear rate limits and quotas
• Proper moderation tools
• Community feedback and testing

Alternative Solutions

If you need functionality not available in the API:

Option 1: Use the Web Interface

Most unavailable features work perfectly through the website: https://versedb.com

Option 2: Request Admin API Access

If you're building tools for database management, you may request admin API access:

• Must be trusted community member
• Requires application and approval
• Limited to specific use cases
• Subject to additional rate limits and monitoring

Option 3: Feature Requests

Suggest new API features:

• Visit VerseDB Discord or forums
• Explain your use case
• Demonstrate need and security considerations
• Community voting may prioritize development

Summary

Not available and unlikely to change:

• User registration/account management
• Direct payment processing
• Content reporting and moderation tools

Not available but may be added:

• Review writing (for verified users)
• Some bulk operations (with limits)
• Social features (if/when implemented)
• Advanced export options

Available through admin API only:

• Database content management
• User moderation
• Bulk operations

Always available through web UI:

• Everything else

For questions: Check the full API docs at https://versedb.com/api/docs or visit VerseDB support