AMPscript itself does not directly provide a way to call external APIs. However, Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) provides the ability to interact with external APIs using Server-Side JavaScript (SSJS). You can integrate SSJS within an AMPscript block to make API calls.

To interact with an API from AMPscript, we typically use SSJS to perform the API call, and then you can pass the result back to AMPscript for personalization.

Steps for Using APIs in AMPscript (via SSJS) 

1. Basic Structure for Calling an API Using SSJS in AMPscript

You can use SSJS (Server-Side JavaScript) inside an AMPscript block to interact with an external API. Here’s how to structure it:

%%[

  SET @response = TreatAsContent(CloudPagesURL(“YOUR_CLOUD_PAGE_URL”))

]%%

%%=v(@response)=%%

The CloudPagesURL function allows you to dynamically call an API within an AMPscript environment, by passing through SSJS on a CloudPage.

2. Example: Call an External API (SSJS + AMPscript)

Let’s say you want to call an API to retrieve the subscriber’s current weather information (e.g., using a weather API). Here’s a combined AMPscript + SSJS solution:

Step-by-Step Example:

1. Create a CloudPage that contains the SSJS code to make the API call.

SSJS Code (on CloudPage):

<script runat=”server”>

   Platform.Load(“Core”, “1”);

   var weatherApiUrl = “https://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather?q=London&appid=YOUR_API_KEY”;

   var weatherResponse = HTTP.Get(weatherApiUrl);

   var weatherData = Platform.Function.ParseJSON(weatherResponse);

   var temperature = weatherData.main.temp;

   var description = weatherData.weather[0].description;

   // Return the result to AMPscript

   var result = “The current temperature in London is ” + temperature + “°C with ” + description;

   Write(result);

</script>

Call the CloudPage from AMPscript to retrieve the data:

     %%[SET @weatherInfo = TreatAsContent(CloudPagesURL(“YOUR_CLOUD_PAGE_URL”))]%% 

       The weather info: %%=v(@weatherInfo)=%%

1. • This will retrieve the result from your CloudPage, which contains the SSJS script that makes the API call, and then display the result in your email or landing page.

3. Example: Using an API to Fetch Subscriber Data (SSJS + AMPscript)

Let’s assume you’re calling an API to retrieve some subscriber-specific data and display it in the email.

Step 1: Create SSJS to Call the API

<script runat=”server”>

  Platform.Load(“Core”, “1”);

  // Example: Get data from a fictional API

  var apiUrl = “https://api.example.com/subscriberdata?email=” + _subscriberKey;

  var response = HTTP.Get(apiUrl);

  var data = Platform.Function.ParseJSON(response);

  var subscriberName = data.name;

  var subscriberBalance = data.balance;

  // Pass the data back to AMPscript

  var result = “Hello ” + subscriberName + “, your current balance is $” + subscriberBalance;

  Write(result);

</script>

Step 2: Use AMPscript to Call the CloudPage

%%[

  SET @subscriberData = TreatAsContent(CloudPagesURL(“YOUR_CLOUD_PAGE_URL”))

]%%

%%=v(@subscriberData)=%%

4. Key Considerations for Using APIs with AMPscript and SSJS

• API Rate Limiting: Be aware of any rate limits imposed by the API provider, especially if you’re calling external APIs in high-volume email sends.
• Error Handling: Ensure you handle errors gracefully. If the API fails or returns no data, use fallback values in AMPscript to ensure a smooth email experience.
  • Example:

• %%[
• IF EMPTY(@response) THEN
• SET @response = “Unable to retrieve data”
• ENDIF
• ]%%

• Data Security: Be cautious when handling sensitive data from APIs, especially if you’re passing personal information.
• Performance Impact: API calls can slow down email generation, so be sure to keep the API requests efficient and test performance.

Example: Using a Weather API and AMPscript (Full Example)

1. CloudPage SSJS Code to Call Weather API:

<script runat=”server”>

   Platform.Load(“Core”, “1”);

   var weatherApiUrl = “https://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather?q=NewYork&appid=YOUR_API_KEY”;

   var weatherResponse = HTTP.Get(weatherApiUrl);

   var weatherData = Platform.Function.ParseJSON(weatherResponse);

   var temperature = weatherData.main.temp;

   var description = weatherData.weather[0].description;

   var result = “The current weather in New York is ” + temperature + “°C with ” + description;

   Write(result);

</script>

2. AMPscript Code to Fetch Weather Info:

%%[

   SET @weatherInfo = TreatAsContent(CloudPagesURL(“YOUR_CLOUD_PAGE_URL”))

]%%

The weather info: %%=v(@weatherInfo)=%%

Conclusion

• AMPscript alone cannot make direct API calls, but it can use SSJS within a CloudPage to make API requests.
• SSJS handles the API call, while AMPscript is used to display the results in emails or landing pages.

         CloudPages serve as a bridge to execute SSJS and return dynamic data to