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So I’m extremely new to this and don’t really have an understanding of API and how webhooks work. 

 

I try to folllow the directions based on the API documentation for the website (themoviedb.org) and the prompts given by Zapier. 

 

I’m attempting to collect the data via api or popular/trending movies. 

The TMDB is a website that posts movies, ratings, summaries, etc. 

 

The site requires a login and once I’ve logged in it gives me an API Key and Token. I’m just not sure how to translate that into the “retrieve poll” trigger option in Zapier. 

Please let me know if I’ve given sufficient information and please explain everything to me as if I were a middle schooler. 

 

Thanks a bunch!

Hi ​@ddgreen2,

 

Welcome to the Community.

 

A 401 error usually indicates an authentication issue with the service Zapier is trying to connect to. To troubleshoot this, verify your credentials, ensure API keys are valid, reconnect the app in Zapier, confirm the app permissions, and double-check the webhook URL if applicable. If the issue persists, providing details about the app and steps taken can help identify the problem more accurately. Obscure any sensitive information within the screenshot for security purposes.

 

Let us know if you have any other questions.

I’ll explain everything in simple terms

What is an API Key and Token?

  • API Key: Think of it as a special password that lets you access certain information from a website (like TMDB).
  • Token: A temporary pass that you receive after logging in with your API Key.

What’s Causing the 401 Error?

A 401 error means "Unauthorized." This typically happens when:

  1. You didn’t include your API key or token correctly.
  2. Your API key or token is invalid or expired.
  3. The API request isn’t set up properly.

Steps to Create a the zap

1. Create a New Zap

  1. Choose Webhooks by Zapier as the trigger app.
  2. Select Retrieve Poll as the trigger event.

2. Configure the Webhook

  1. In the URL field, enter the TMDB API endpoint for the data you want. Examples:

    • Popular Movies Endpoint:

      https://api.themoviedb.org/3/movie/popular

    • Trending Movies Endpoint:

      https://api.themoviedb.org/3/trending/movie/{time_window}

      Replace {time_window} with daily or weekly to get trending movies for the specified time period.

      After each URL you can fill the key value with the API key or just add ?api_key=(yourkey) 
      https://api.themoviedb.org/3/movie/popular?api_key=1234567890abcdef
      As you have also received a token you need to add it as headers
       

    • Key: Authorization

    • Value: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN (replace YOUR_TOKEN with your actual token).

3. Test the Webhook

  1. Click Test & Continue to see if the webhook works.
  2. If you get a 401 error, double-check:
    • Your API key.
    • Your Token.
    • The URL.

Next Steps

Use the data from TMDB in your Zap. For example:

  • Save the data to a Google Sheet.

  • Send the data in an email.

  • Post the data to Slack.

Let me know if this works?

Reply


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