Marketo Data Ingestion API: Transforming How Marketers Handle Data
In the fast-paced world of B2B marketing, data management efficiency can make or break your marketing operations. Marketo’s Data Ingestion API offers a significant advancement over the traditional Bulk Import API, providing a solution specifically designed for scenarios where list imports and bulk import APIs struggle with large datasets.
Understanding Marketo’s Data Ingestion API
The Data Ingestion API is a high volume, low latency, highly available service designed to handle ingestion of large amounts of person and person-related data efficiently and with minimal delays. While the original Bulk Import API has served marketers well, the Data Ingestion API takes data importing capabilities to new heights.
Important: The Data Ingestion API is exclusively available to customers with a Marketo Engage Performance Tier Package.
Key Features of the Data Ingestion API
- Higher Throughput: Process significantly more records with higher request limits
- Asynchronous Processing: Requests execute asynchronously for better performance
- Lower Latency: Minimal delays in data processing
- Observability: Request status tracking via Marketo Observability Data Stream
Data Ingestion API vs. Bulk Import API: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Data Ingestion API | Bulk Import API |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Requires Performance Tier Package | Available to all Marketo instances |
| Record Limit | 1,000 objects per request | Limited by file size (10MB) |
| Request Volume | 5,000 requests per second per client ID | Max 2 concurrent import jobs |
| Daily Capacity | Up to 10,000,000 objects per day | Limited by job processing speed |
| Request Size | Maximum 1 MB per request | Maximum 10 MB per file |
| Request Queue | Highly scalable | Max 10 queued import jobs |
| Object Types | Persons, Custom Objects | Persons, Custom Objects, Program Members |
| Operations | Upsert only | Upsert only |
| Format | JSON | CSV, SSV, TSV |
| Authentication | X-Mkto-User-Token header only | Authorization header or query parameter |
Business Benefits in Marketing Terms
1. Handle Massive Data Volumes
With the ability to process up to 10 million records per day at rates of 5,000 requests per second, the Data Ingestion API can handle your most demanding data scenarios where traditional imports would fail.
2. Real-time Data Operations
Near-instantaneous data processing means marketing teams can maintain data currency even with high-volume, time-sensitive information.
3. Reduced Operational Complexity
Asynchronous processing eliminates the need to constantly monitor import jobs, freeing marketing operations teams to focus on strategy rather than data loading.
4. Enhanced Scalability
As your marketing database grows, the Data Ingestion API provides the throughput necessary to maintain efficient operations without proportionally increasing processing time.
Real-World Applications
Large Database Migrations
When migrating millions of records between systems, the Data Ingestion API provides the capacity to complete the migration in hours rather than days.
High-Volume Web Form Processing
For websites or applications generating thousands of form submissions per hour, the Data Ingestion API ensures data flows smoothly into Marketo without creating bottlenecks.
Real-time Integration Scenarios
Keep Marketo synchronized with other enterprise systems that generate high volumes of data, such as e-commerce platforms or customer service systems.
Mass Data Enrichment Projects
When appending third-party data across your entire database, the Data Ingestion API offers the throughput needed to complete these projects efficiently.
Implementation Considerations
To make the most of the Data Ingestion API:
- Ensure you have the Performance Tier Package – This is a prerequisite
- Design for the 1,000 record limit per request – Batch your data appropriately
- Implement request rate limiting – While the system supports 5,000 requests per second, implement controls to avoid exceeding limits
- Set up Observability Data Stream – For tracking request status and troubleshooting
- Plan for JSON formatting – Unlike Bulk API’s CSV format, you’ll need to structure your data as JSON
Conclusion
The Data Ingestion API represents a significant technological advancement for Marketo customers with high-volume data needs. For marketing teams struggling with the limitations of standard import methods, this API provides the speed, capacity, and reliability needed to manage massive datasets efficiently.
Available exclusively to Performance Tier customers, the Data Ingestion API solves the most challenging data volume scenarios that would otherwise overwhelm traditional import methods, ensuring your marketing operations remain efficient even as your data needs grow.
Need Expert Guidance?
If you need help implementing or optimizing your Marketo data workflow with the new Data Ingestion API, our team of certified Marketo experts can help you design and implement a solution that meets your specific business needs.