---
title: "GraphQL API is moving to a paid offering | Hashnode"
description: "Free GraphQL API access is retired. Reading and publishing both require a Pro plan you can upgrade to from your blog dashboard."
url: "https://hashnode.com/changelog/2026-05-13-graphql-api-paid-access"
---

[All updates](https://hashnode.com/changelog) /

GraphQL API is moving to a paid offering

Deprecated May 13, 2026

# GraphQL API is moving to a paid offering

[Ipseeta Priyadarshini](https://hashnode.com/@ipseeta)

We're retiring free GraphQL API access. Every API request, queries and mutations, now requires a Pro plan on your publication.

### Why we're doing this

Scrapers and spammers were abusing the free API at scale. Read traffic was being used to mirror posts on spam farms. Write traffic was flooding the feed with junk. Both hurt real writers on Hashnode. A small fee filters out abuse and keeps the API usable for everyone.

### What changed

Reads used to be free. They aren't anymore. Queries against your publication now require Pro, the same as publishing.

### How access works now

Upgrading is self-serve. Open your blog dashboard, go to **Billing**, and click **Upgrade to Pro**. Pricing is seat-based and adjusts automatically as members join or leave. You'll see the exact monthly total on the Billing page before you check out.

Once checkout succeeds, your publication is allow-listed automatically and the API works right away. No waiting on us, no manual onboarding.

### Need help?

Email [hello@hashnode.com](mailto:hello@hashnode.com) and we'll be happy to assist with your subscription.

## More updates

[All updates](https://hashnode.com/changelog)

[AEO toolkit: Start tracking with suggested queries Improvement Oct 7](https://hashnode.com/changelog/2026-10-07-aeo-suggested-queries)[Hashnode CLI: Publish and manage your blog from the terminal Feature Oct 6](https://hashnode.com/changelog/2026-10-06-hashnode-cli)[MCP connect: Give Claude, ChatGPT, or Codex read and write access to your posts" Feature Sep 22](https://hashnode.com/changelog/2026-09-22-mcp-connect)[GraphQL image uploads: presignedPost is deprecated Deprecated Sep 1](https://hashnode.com/changelog/2026-09-01-presigned-post-deprecated)[AEO toolkit: See who else gets cited, and how much traffic AI sends you Feature Aug 25](https://hashnode.com/changelog/2026-08-25-aeo-citations-and-traffic)