A thin Python library to access HN data using Algolia's API
Hello community. Some time ago I was trying to create a project for my students using Hacker News data. As you might know, HN offers an official API [0], but it's based on Firebase and I felt it's main usage is to build clients, rather than consult data. I found out that Algolia also provides an official REST API [1]. It's exactly what I needed: the ability to "search" HN. Either by keywords, type of stories (Show HN, Ask HN, etc) and/or date. So I created a thin python wrapper on top of Algolia's Search API: https://github.com/santiagobasulto/python-hacker-news The…
A thin Python library to access HN data using Algolia's API launched on July 20, 2019 with 15 votes, #766 of 3,007 launches that month and more than 75% of that year's launches.
In plain words
This Python library provides a thin wrapper around Algolia's API to search and access Hacker News data. It's designed for developers and educators who need to query HN posts by keywords, story type (Show HN, Ask HN), author, or date range. The library offers a simpler alternative to HN's official Firebase-based API, focusing on data search and analysis rather than client building. Early-stage but functional, it enables programmers to easily retrieve and filter Hacker News content for projects and research.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hello community. Some time ago I was trying to create a project for my students using Hacker News data. As you might know, HN offers an official API [0], but it's based on Firebase and I felt it's main usage is to build clients, rather than consult data. I found out that Algolia also provides an official REST API…
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