Top 5 API Documentation Metrics to Improve Your Efficiency Finally done with creating comprehensive docs for your API? You’re happy with what they look like, but will actual users find them helpful and easy to navigate? There’s only one way for you to know: tracking API documentation metrics. This article dives into the key API documentation metrics and explores not just what to track, but how to interpret these metrics to make informed decisions and streamline your documentation process. Whether you’re looking to enhance your developer experience or optimize your reporting, these insights will help you transform your API documentation from good to great. The importance of tracking API documentation metrics Good API documentation is foundational to helping your developers get started with your API. If done right, it enables developers to quickly understand, integrate, and troubleshoot an API in their projects. Well-crafted — and by this we mean clear, accurate, and accessible — documentation reduces support queries, accelerates development cycles, and increases successful API adoption. With great documentation, you’ll be able to count on smoother integrations, but also build trust and loyalty among your target users. And this is what, ultimately, drives the API’s growth and success in the market. Monitoring API documentation metrics is necessary because, without proper tracking, businesses risk inefficient user onboarding, poor developer experiences, and missed opportunities for documentation improvement. Tracking documentation data is key to: Developer experience: Metrics show how well the documentation serves developers’ needs. Content quality: Tracking helps identify areas for improvement in clarity and completeness. User engagement: Metrics reveal which sections are most valuable to users. Operational efficiency: Data helps optimize documentation processes and resource allocation. Product development: Insights inform prioritization of documentation efforts. Below, we’ll share the five most important API metrics that can reveal a bunch of helpful insights about your API docs: SDK and version adoption Number of support tickets Time to first value (TTFV) API calls by application type Churn rate SDK and version adoption SDK and version adoption measure how widely developers use different versions of your software development kit (SDK) and API. This metric provides insights into the most popular versions and how quickly users upgrade to new ones. Tracking SDK and version adoption helps: Maintain compatibility with the most commonly used versions Inform developers about which versions need more support or improvement based on their adoption rates Ensure that documentation focuses on the most adopted versions, providing users with accurate and relevant information Plan and facilitate upgrades to newer versions How SDK and version adoption relate to API documentation Tracking these metrics can clarify which versions of API require more detailed or updated documentation and help ensure that documentation updates are aligned with SDK releases. It informs the creation of migration guides and when to upgrade documentation, as well as the content strategy for version-specific features and changes. How to improve SDK and version adoption Slow adoption of new versions or frequent support requests related to version upgrades can indicate that SDK and version adoption metrics need attention from your side. Here’s what you can try: Clearly communicate the benefits of new versions in release notes and documentation Maintain backward compatibility where possible to ease transitions Offer migration tools or scripts to automate parts of the upgrade process Implement and communicate a clear deprecation policy Gather and act on user feedback about upgrade challenges and documentation needs Use feature flags to gradually introduce new functionality Provide SDK update notifications within the developer portal or documentation Offer incentives or dedicated support for early adopters of new versions Number of support tickets The number of support tickets measures the volume of user-reported issues, requests, and inquiries submitted to the IT support team. This metric provides insight into users’ common problems and the overall health and usability of the API or service. Tracking the number of support tickets allows you to: Spot patterns and recurring problems needing systemic solutions. Sense user dissatisfaction or confusion, prompting further investigation and improvement Gather quantitative data that indicates a potential quality or reliability issue with the API or service Evaluate the support team’s performance and workload, ensuring they’re not overwhelmed How the number of support tickets relates to API documentation This metric directly reflects the effectiveness of your API documentation. A high number of support tickets often indicates gaps or unclear areas in the documentation. If you analyze the types of issues reported, you can identify which parts of the documentation need improvement, expansion, or clarification. How to improve the number of support tickets A consistently high or increasing number of support tickets, especially for basic API usage questions, can indicate that your documentation needs attention. There are a few tactics to implement to resolve this: Conduct a thorough analysis of ticket content to identify common issues and FAQs Regularly update and expand the FAQ section in your documentation Create step-by-step tutorials or guides for frequently reported problems Implement a searchable knowledge base and regularly update it Add more code examples and use cases to illustrate API functionality Implement a feedback system within the documentation for users to report unclear sections Offer interactive elements like API explorers or sandboxes to allow hands-on learning API calls by application type API calls by application type measure the frequency and distribution of API requests originating from different types of applications (e.g., web, mobile, and IoT devices). This metric helps you: Understand which platforms are most popular among users Provide insights into user behavior on different platforms Ensure the API performs well, identifying and addressing platform-specific issues Allocate resources effectively by prioritizing support and development for the most used application types How API calls by application type relate to API documentation This metric correlates with the effectiveness and relevance of your documentation across different platforms. It shows which sections of your documentation are most crucial for developers working on specific application types, indicating where to focus your efforts. High call volumes from certain application types may suggest that the documentation for those platforms is clear and useful, while low volumes might indicate areas that are either well-documented (requiring fewer repeat visits) or potentially unclear or underutilized for specific platforms. How to improve API calls by application type Below are several ideas on how to enhance your API usage and documentation for various application types: Analyze the most-used application types and ensure their documentation is comprehensive and up-to-date Improve documentation for less-used application types to make them more accessible and informative Create platform-specific tutorials or guides for frequently used API features Reorganize documentation structure to highlight platform-specific information more prominently Use the data from tracking API calls by app type to inform the structure and content of your “Getting Started” guides for each application type Develop SDK or libraries tailored for popular application types to simplify integration Offer platform-specific code samples and examples in your documentation Implement platform-specific troubleshooting guides to address common issues Consider developing specialized API endpoints or features for specific application types if needed Documentation Time to Value (DTTV) Documentation Time to Value (DTTV) measures the duration it takes for a new developer to find and understand the relevant information in your API documentation to achieve their first meaningful outcome. This metric is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of your documentation and the overall developer onboarding experience. Tracking DTTV helps: Indicate how intuitive and well-organized your documentation is Boost developer confidence and satisfaction, encouraging continued API use Reduce the likelihood of API abandonment by helping developers quickly find valuable information Provide insights into potential pain points in the documentation, guiding improvements How DTTV relates to API documentation DTTV directly reflects the quality and accessibility of your API documentation. A low DTTV suggests that developers can quickly find and understand the information they need — congrats, your docs are likely well-structured and clear. On the other hand, high DTTV may point to confusing layouts, unclear explanations, or missing crucial information in your docs. How to improve DTTV A consistently high DTTV or increasing abandonment rates during the documentation exploration phase can indicate that your documentation needs improvement. The following tactics may help you improve this metric: Implement a clear, logically structured table of contents for easy navigation Create a comprehensive “Getting Started” guide with step-by-step instructions Use interactive elements like API explorers or sandboxes for hands-on learning Create quick-start guides for common use cases Use visual aids like flowcharts or diagrams to explain complex concepts Ensure consistent formatting and terminology throughout the documentation Implement user feedback mechanisms directly within the documentation Implement a chatbot or AI assistant to help developers find information quickly Regularly conduct usability testing with new developers to identify pain points Churn rate The churn rate measures the percentage of users who stop using the API over time. It’s a critical metric for understanding user retention and identifying potential issues that cause users to leave. Formula: Churn rate = (Number of customers at the start / Number of customers lost) × 100 Tracking churn rate: Provide a clear picture of how well the API retains its users over time Identify potential problems or dissatisfaction that lead users to stop using the API Measure satisfaction, as lower churn rates often correlate with higher user satisfaction and loyalty Guide strategies to improve retention, enhance developer UX, and support overall business growth How churn rate relates to API documentation Churn rate can be significantly influenced by the quality and effectiveness of your API documentation. A low churn rate may indicate that your documentation successfully supports developers throughout their journey, from onboarding to advanced usage of your API. At the same time, a high churn rate could point to gaps or shortcomings in your documentation, leading to frustration, reduced productivity, or inability to fully leverage the API’s capabilities. How to reduce churn rate If your goal is to reduce churn rate by enhancing your API documentation, consider the following strategies: Regularly update the documentation to reflect new features, changes, and common user questions Implement a clear, logically structured table of contents for easy navigation Develop troubleshooting guides and FAQs to address common issues quickly Offer multiple formats of documentation (e.g., written guides, video tutorials, interactive API explorers) Create a changelog to keep users informed about API updates and improvements Implement user feedback mechanisms directly within the documentation Develop a community forum or knowledge base where users can share experiences and solutions Provide clear upgrade paths and migration guides for evolving API versions Offer documentation in multiple languages to support a global user base Set your API up for success with ReadMe Effective API documentation is crucial for the success of your API, directly impacting developer experience, adoption rates, and ultimately, your business goals. But, creating and maintaining high-quality documentation is only part of the story. You also need to understand how developers interact with your documentation and use those insights to continually improve. This is where ReadMe steps in to save the day. Our platform goes beyond just hosting your API documentation — it provides valuable insights into how developers are using it. With ReadMe, you can track documentation usage, monitor search queries, collect user feedback, personalize the documentation experience, and much more. Remember, great API documentation is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. With ReadMe, you have the tools to continuously monitor, analyze, and improve your documentation, ensuring that it remains a valuable asset for your API’s success. Learn more about ReadMe’s solutions and get started!