n8n HTTP Request Node & Tool (Connect to APIs)

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In this comprehensive tutorial, I break down everything you need to know about the HTTP Request node in n8n - arguably the most important node for building powerful AI orchestration workflows. Whether you're connecting to external APIs, scraping data, or building AI agents, understanding HTTP requests is essential for taking your automation to the next level.

I walk through all four HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT/PATCH, DELETE) with real-world examples using popular APIs like SerpAPI, Apify, and Airtable. You'll learn the difference between query parameters, headers, and request bodies, plus when to use fields vs JSON. I also cover critical topics like authentication, API keys, personal access tokens, and how to properly secure your credentials when sharing workflows.

The video includes extensive examples: pulling Google search results with SerpAPI, scraping Instagram profiles with Apify, updating and deleting records in Airtable, and even integrating HTTP requests with AI agents. I also tackle common errors (400s and 500s), rate limiting, batching strategies, and using cURL as a shortcut to set up nodes faster. By the end, you'll confidently build API integrations without overcomplicating your workflows.

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:45 When to Use HTTP Request Node
8:30 Understanding REST APIs & Methods
13:40 Finding API Documentation
18:20 HTTP Request Basics
27:00 GET Request Example (SerpAPI)
35:00 POST & GET Together (Apify Instagram Scraper)
46:00 Authentication & API Keys
52:00 PUT/PATCH & DELETE (Airtable)
58:00 HTTP Request with AI Agents
1:01:00 Common Error Codes & Troubleshooting
1:03:00 Rate Limits & Batching Options
1:05:30 Final Tips & Recap"

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to HTTP Request Node
01:42 When to Use HTTP Request vs Native Nodes
05:17 Finding API Documentation
07:32 Understanding REST API Methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE)
10:17 Understanding API Endpoints and URLs
13:36 Using cURL to Import Requests
18:15 Query Parameters, Headers, and Body Sections
22:00 Example 1: GET Request with SER API
26:40 Using JSON vs Fields Below
29:20 Downloading Images and Websites with GET
31:36 Example 2: POST and GET with Apify Instagram Scraper
36:00 Setting Up Authentication and API Keys
40:00 Predefined vs Generic Credentials
44:30 Example 3: Air Table Authentication Setup
50:17 PUT/PATCH Example: Updating Records
52:40 DELETE Example: Removing Records
54:40 Adding HTTP Request as AI Agent Tool
58:00 Understanding Response Codes and Errors
01:02:00 Rate Limits and Batching Options
01:04:14 Final Tips and Best Practices

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