What Does "Rate Limit Exceeded" Mean on Twitter?

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What this error message means, and how to avoid seeing it
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Are you seeing the error message "Rate Limit Exceeded" on a third-party X (formerly Twitter) app? This message occurs when a third-party app that uses the X API reaches the maximum number of API calls that are allowed on your account in one hour. X has also put in place new limits on the number of tweets, DMs, and accounts a regular user can follow in one day. There have been reports of some X users seeing this error message as a bug. This wikiHow article teaches you what the "Rate Limited Exceeded" error message on X means and how to avoid it.

Things You Should Know

  • Apps using the X API will see "Rate Limit Exceeded" when they exceed the maximum number of API calls.
  • You may also see this message if you exceed 500 DMs, 2400 tweets, or 400 accounts followed in one day.
  • In some cases, you may be seeing this error as a bug or glitch.
Section 1 of 6:

What is Rate Limited Exceeded?

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  1. The X API (application programming interface) is what third-party apps use to request and send information to X servers. X places a maximum number of API calls an account can make using a third-party app per hour. This only applies to third-party apps. It does not apply to the official X website or the X platform app. [1]
    • Any time a third-party requests data from the X platform servers, it counts as an API call. Checking DMs or replies counts as an API call. Requesting data from X counts as an API call. However, sending data to X (posting, direct messaging , favoriting, or following/unfollowing) does not count as an API call.
    • A third-party app is any app that requires you to log in to X that is not the X platform itself. Third-party apps can be any application that manages and schedules tweets, like X Pro , formerly called TweetDeck. As of 2011, X Pro is no longer technically a third party app, but still maintains the same usage and purposes. Other social media websites have a crossposting feature to post on multiple platforms. It can also be a desktop or web application or a widget on your phone. It can also be an internal application that developers create to study and analyze data on X.
    • While you won't be able to use the third-party app when your rate limit is exceeded, you'll still be able to use the X website or mobile app.
  2. X has limits to keep the service reliable and reduce downtime. If you exceed one of X's limits, you will generally receive an error message that specifically says what limit you have exceeded: [2]
    • Max number of tweets per day: 2400
    • Max number of DMs per day: 500
    • Max number of accounts you can follow per day: 400
    • Max number of accounts you can follow in total: 5000
    • Max number of changes to your account you can make per hour: 4
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Section 2 of 6:

What is the Maximum Number of API Calls?

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  1. However, different actions can count as more than one API call. For example, refreshing your page takes three API calls because it will request all Tweets, replies, and DMs. There are some exceptions to the 100 API call limit. The following are just a few examples: [3]
    • Requesting information about why users create, delete, or update X lists allows 300 requests per 15-minute interval.
    • Requesting information on who users follow and like allows 900 requests per 15-minute interval.
    • Requesting information about who liked a tweet and/or what tweets they liked, allows for 75 requests per 15-minute interval.
Section 3 of 6:

Why is There a Limit on the Number of API Calls?

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  1. The following are some of the reasons X has this policy:
    • Keep the servers running. X gets tons of API calls at any given moment. Limiting the number of API calls a user helps ensure that the servers don't get overloaded and can keep up with demand.
    • Prevent spam and hacking. Limiting the number of API call requests also prevents users from sending out spam in the form of mass tweets. It also prevents distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks from hackers.
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Section 4 of 6:

Could This Be a Bug or a Glitch?

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  1. X support has reported in the past that users have been seeing this error message when they weren't supposed to. It can occur while using the official X app, website, third-party app, or API requests. However, X is usually aware of the problem and works very hard to fix it quickly when it occurs. [4]
Section 5 of 6:

How to Prevent Rate Limit Exceeded

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  1. You can do so in the settings of the app you are using. This will mean that you get fewer updates, but you will use fewer of your allowed API calls per hour.
  2. If you are tracking account engagement, try using fewer words in your search terms. Remove the words that get fewer results.
  3. If you are going to be using your search results for a long period of time, save them. This will prevent you from making identical requests. Many apps allow you to save your results.
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Section 6 of 6:

What to Do if You Get the Error Message

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  1. X allows you to make 100 API calls per hour. Oftentimes, you can regain your account by just waiting a few minutes. If you receive this message while Tweeting, sending DMs, or following users, you will need to wait 24 hours before you can continue. If you are making changes to your account, you will need to wait an hour before you can make more account changes.
  2. If you are currently following 5000 accounts or more, you will need to unfollow some accounts before you can follow some more.
  3. If you can do your work using the official X platform, go ahead and do so. This may not be possible in all cases, but the X API call limit only applies to third-party apps.
  4. There have been some reports that users were able to reset the API call limit by resetting their password. You should only do this if you are in a bind. It may be easier to just wait to regain your account rather than having to learn and memorize a new password. However, you can make that a little easier by using a password manager .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/a/2008/what-does-rate-limit-exceeded-mean-updated
      2. ↑ https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/twitter-limits
      3. ↑ https://developer.twitter.com/en/docs/twitter-api/rate-limits#auth
      4. ↑ https://twitter.com/TwitterSupport/status/1290443685176508418?lang=en

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