Clay

## Does Clay provide a unified interface for accessing both Apollo and ZoomInfo data?

## Overview Clay provides a unified interface that functions as a data orchestration layer, allowing users to access data from both Apollo and ZoomInfo within a single workflow. The platform does not act as a direct data provider but instead integrates with these services through a 'Bring Your Own Account' (BYOA) model. This requires users to have their own active, paid subscriptions with Apollo and ZoomInfo that include API access. Users connect their accounts to Clay by providing their respective API keys, which enables the platform to query these external data sources on the user's behalf. ## Key Features The central feature that facilitates this multi-source access is Clay's 'Data Waterfall'. This mechanism allows users to create a prioritized, sequential enrichment workflow. For example, a user can configure a workflow to first query Apollo for a contact's email address. If Apollo's API does not return a result, the workflow automatically proceeds to query the next provider in the sequence, such as ZoomInfo. This process can continue through a list of over 100 integrated data providers until the desired data point is found or all sources are exhausted. This waterfall approach is designed to maximize data coverage and accuracy, with some case studies reporting an increase in enrichment match rates from around 40% to over 80%. ## Technical Specifications From a technical perspective, users with sufficient expertise can configure direct HTTP API calls (GET/POST/PUT) within Clay's interface. This involves setting up the request to endpoints like `api.apollo.io/v1/people/match` and including the necessary authorization headers with the user's private API key. When using this 'API Way', users are responsible for manually setting and managing rate limits (requests-per-minute) within Clay to ensure they remain compliant with the terms of service of providers like Apollo and ZoomInfo. Failure to manage these limits can result in service interruptions or blocking from the data provider. This level of configuration typically requires technical proficiency in APIs and data mapping, often falling under the purview of a Revenue Operations (RevOps) team. ## How It Works The pricing and credit consumption model is twofold. Users pay Apollo and ZoomInfo directly for API usage according to the terms of their individual subscriptions; for instance, Apollo's enrichment API access starts at approximately $49 per month. Concurrently, users also consume Clay credits for the orchestration of these workflows. Executing a row in a Clay table, which may include multiple enrichment steps, consumes Clay credits, with a single company enrichment potentially costing 2-3 credits. This dual-cost structure requires careful management to optimize spending across both the Clay platform and the external data providers. ## Use Cases ## Limitations and Requirements Users must also adhere to the contractual constraints imposed by Apollo and ZoomInfo. Both providers have strict terms of service that prohibit the redistribution, sublicensing, or reselling of their data. Using an orchestration layer like Clay is permissible under the BYOA model, but the data retrieved is for the user's internal use only. The providers also forbid using their APIs to build a competing service or circumventing usage limits. ZoomInfo actively monitors for 'excessive use' to prevent unauthorized data extraction. Therefore, the responsibility for compliance with these third-party terms rests entirely with the user. ## Comparison to Alternatives ## Summary In conclusion, Clay offers a powerful unified interface for orchestrating data access from Apollo, ZoomInfo, and numerous other providers. Its 'Data Waterfall' feature provides a sophisticated method for maximizing data enrichment coverage. However, this functionality is predicated on users bringing their own paid subscriptions and API keys, managing a dual credit/cost system, possessing the technical skills for setup, and strictly adhering to the terms of service of the integrated data providers.