# Target Categories API (https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/target/categories)

> Returns Target's top-level browse taxonomy: each node's id, display name, parent id, canonical URL, and hero image. Feed a node id into GET /v1/target/category to walk that category's products. This is the entry point for TCIN discovery, since Target ships no keyword search we are willing to bill for. Static reference data, so it is 1 credit and heavily cached.

TL;DR: `GET /v1/target/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/target/categories" \
  -H "x-api-key: sc_YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## FAQ

### What does this endpoint return?

Target's top-level browse taxonomy: each node's id, display name, parent id, canonical URL, and hero image. Feed a node id into GET /v1/target/category to list that category's products.

### How much does it cost?

One credit. It is static reference data that caches at a very high hit ratio, which is why it is priced below the rest of the Target surface rather than at the standard commerce rate.

### Is the response paginated?

No. The complete taxonomy comes back in a single call and the endpoint takes no page parameter, so the returned total always equals the rows you received.

### How often does the taxonomy change?

Rarely. Target reshuffles seasonal nodes such as Back to School but the structural categories are stable, so caching the response on your side for hours is safe.

### Do I need this before calling any other Target endpoint?

Only if you are starting from nothing. If you already hold a TCIN you can call the product and reviews endpoints directly. This endpoint exists because Target ships no keyword search we are willing to bill for, so browsing is the discovery path.

See the full Target API: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/target

## 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:

- How do I get the list of Target categories?
- What is a Target category node id?