name: WAQI FinOps
description: Financial operations and cost management details for the World Air Quality Index API
url: https://aqicn.org/api/
summary: >
  The WAQI API is provided entirely free of charge for non-commercial use.
  There are no subscription fees, per-request charges, or tiered pricing tiers
  for standard access. Cost management focus is on ensuring compliance with the
  acceptable usage policy to avoid token revocation.
costs:
  - name: API Access
    type: Free
    amount: 0
    currency: USD
    description: >
      No cost for standard API access. Tokens are issued at no charge upon
      registration with a valid email address.
  - name: Commercial Use
    type: Contact for pricing
    amount: null
    currency: USD
    description: >
      For-profit corporations wishing to use the API commercially must enter
      into an explicit written agreement with the World Air Quality Index
      project. Pricing for commercial licensing is not publicly disclosed.
costOptimization:
  - strategy: Caching Prohibition
    description: >
      Note that the WAQI terms of service prohibit caching of data. Cost
      optimization strategies that rely on caching are not permitted and
      could result in token revocation.
  - strategy: Reasonable Request Volume
    description: >
      While the default quota is 1,000 requests per second, usage should
      remain within acceptable usage policy bounds. Avoid excessive or
      unnecessary polling to stay within the spirit of the free-tier terms.
  - strategy: Token Management
    description: >
      Obtain and store API tokens securely. Each token is tied to registration
      details. Losing or exposing a token may require re-registration.
funding:
  model: Social enterprise / self-funded
  sources:
    - Online advertising revenue on aqicn.org and waqi.info
    - Independent from government and commercial entities
  note: >
    The World Air Quality Index project operates as a social enterprise,
    self-funded primarily through advertising. It is independent of government
    and for-profit corporate funding.