# AliExpress Categories API (https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/aliexpress/categories)

> Returns the AliExpress category tree: parent and subcategory ids and names. Use a category_id on search or search/hot.

TL;DR: `GET /v1/aliexpress/categories` costs 1 credit per call and returns SocialCrawl's unified JSON schema. Single x-api-key auth, 100 free credits on signup.

## Code example

```bash
curl "https://www.socialcrawl.dev/v1/aliexpress/categories" \
  -H "x-api-key: sc_YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## FAQ

### What does the AliExpress Categories API return?

Returns the AliExpress category tree: parent and subcategory ids and names. The response uses the same JSON envelope as every SocialCrawl endpoint, with the data, credits_used and request_id fields.

### When should I use the AliExpress Categories endpoint?

Use it to get a category_id before calling search or search/hot.

### How much does the AliExpress Categories API cost?

Each call costs 1 credit, so the 100 free credits every new account gets cover 100 calls. Credits for failed or empty calls are refunded automatically, and there is no subscription.

### What parameters does the AliExpress Categories API need?

No parameter is required, so the bare URL works.

### How do I call the AliExpress Categories API?

Send a GET request to https://www.socialcrawl.dev/v1/aliexpress/categories with your API key in the x-api-key header. An Authorization: Bearer header works too.

See the full AliExpress API: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/aliexpress

## Pricing

- Standard endpoints: 1 credit per call
- Advanced endpoints: 5 credits per call
- Premium endpoints: 10 credits per call
- 100 free credits on signup, no credit card required. Cached responses cost 0 credits. Credit packs never expire.
- Full pricing: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/pricing

## Explore with AI

Questions this API answers, phrased for an AI assistant:

- What does the SocialCrawl AliExpress Categories API return?
- How do I get AliExpress Categories data with the SocialCrawl API?