Glossary · Automation & Integrations
Webhook
Overview
What a webhook is
A webhook is a way for one application to send real-time data to another automatically when a defined event occurs. When something happens in the source app, such as a new form submission, a completed payment, or a new CRM contact, it sends an HTTP request (usually a POST) carrying a data payload to a URL, or endpoint, that the receiving app has published.
Webhooks are sometimes called reverse APIs or HTTP callbacks. Rather than your system asking for data, the data is pushed to you the instant it becomes available.
How it works
The receiving application exposes a webhook URL and shares it with the source application. When the trigger event fires, the source sends an HTTP request to that URL with a payload, typically formatted as JSON, describing what happened. The receiving app parses the payload and acts on it, for example creating a record, sending a notification, or kicking off a workflow.
Reliable webhooks include safeguards: the receiver returns a 200 status to confirm delivery, senders retry on failure, and payloads are often verified with a shared secret or signature to confirm they are authentic. This contrasts with polling, where a system repeatedly calls an API on a schedule, wasting requests and adding delay.
Why it matters
Webhooks make integrations instant and efficient. Because data arrives the moment an event happens, they power real-time automations such as instant lead response, order notifications, and syncing records between a CRM and other tools without constant API polling.
They are the glue behind most no-code and low-code automation. Platforms like Zapier, Make, and n8n let you catch incoming webhooks and send outgoing ones, so apps that lack a native integration can still talk to each other. The main caveats are security (validate every payload) and reliability (handle retries and duplicate deliveries).
Where we use it
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FAQ
Webhook — common questions
What is the difference between a webhook and an API?
An API is something you call to request data; a webhook is something that calls you when data changes. APIs are pull-based, webhooks are push-based. Many services offer both, and webhooks are often described as event-driven callbacks built on top of HTTP.
Are webhooks secure?
They can be, but you must verify them. Use HTTPS endpoints, validate a shared secret or signature on each request, and confirm the payload before acting. Without verification, anyone who learns the URL could send fake requests.
Do I need code to use webhooks?
No. No-code tools like Zapier, Make, and n8n can receive and send webhooks with visual configuration, so you can connect apps that have no built-in integration without writing custom code.
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