Why do I receive error responses saying some API resources are ‘unauthorized’ or that I have ‘insufficient privileges’?

Your API key has default settings where access to some APIs and service levels are enabled by default. Access to other APIs can be enabled manually but require further permissions from Elsevier.

If you attempt to access features that are not enabled by default, you will receive such error responses.

The data available depends on your institutional subscriptions. When you’re making calls from within your institutional network you are considered a subscriber. If you are trying to access a subscriber-only feature from outside your institutional network, then you are likely to receive such error responses.

If you require access to additional API resources, please contact us through one of the contact channels found at the bottom of this page. In your message, please include your API key and a brief description of your use case.