Q41: What rate-limiting strategies are effective for GraphQL APIs?
Traditional IP/endpoint rate-limiting fails because all requests hit /graphql.
Effective approaches:
- Query Complexity Rate Limiting: Deducts computed query complexity costs from a user token bucket.
- Resolver Level Limiting: Enforces rate limits on sensitive underlying resolvers (e.g., login mutations).
- Client ID / API Key Tracking: Limits total operation volume per key.
Key Takeaways
- Rate limiting should evaluate request complexity rather than simple HTTP hit counts.
Knowledge Check
Why is HTTP hit-based rate limiting inadequate for GraphQL endpoints?