Quickstart
Get instant notifications when breaking news happens. Webhooks deliver real-time article updates directly to your application, eliminating the need for constant API polling.
What are Webhooks?
Think of webhooks as instant notifications for your application. When news breaks that matches your criteria, finlight immediately sends the article data to your specified endpoint.
How Webhooks Work
Here's the complete flow in simple terms:
- Configure - Set up your webhook with specific news criteria
- Monitor - Our system watches for new articles 24/7
- Match - When an article meets your criteria, we detect it instantly
- Deliver - We send the article data directly to your endpoint
This "reverse API" approach means your app receives updates the moment they happen, rather than asking for them repeatedly.
Getting Started
What You'll Need
Before creating your first webhook, make sure you have:
- Active finlight subscription with webhook access
- Public HTTPS endpoint ready to receive webhook calls
- Dashboard access at app.finlight.me
Quick Access
Jump straight to webhook creation by visiting app.finlight.me/news-webhooks and logging into your finlight account.
Creating Your First Webhook
Follow this simple 4-step process to set up your webhook and start receiving real-time news updates.
Step 1: Access the Webhook Creator
- Login to your finlight dashboard at app.finlight.me
- Navigate to "Webhooks" in the main menu
- Click "New Webhook" to launch the setup wizard
Step 2: Basic Details
Give your webhook a clear identity:
- Name - Choose something descriptive like "Breaking Tech News" or "Market Updates"
- Description - Optional brief explanation of the webhook's purpose
Step 3: Define Your News Criteria
Configure precise filtering to receive only relevant articles:
- Search Query - Use keywords and boolean operators to target specific topics
- News Sources - Include trusted sources or exclude unwanted ones
- Stock Tickers - Focus on specific companies (AAPL, GOOGL, etc.)
- Language - Filter by language (en, de, fr, etc.)
- Content Options - Choose what data to include in webhook payloads
For detailed information about all filtering options and examples, see our comprehensive filtering criteria guide.
Step 4: Set Destination & Security
Webhook Destination
Provide your endpoint URL where we'll send the news:
- Must be a public HTTPS URL
- Should respond quickly (under 5 seconds)
Security Setup
Choose how to secure your webhook endpoint:
- None - No additional authentication (not recommended for production)
- Basic Authentication - Username/password protection via HTTP Basic Auth
- Custom Header - Send your API key in the
X-Finlight-Keyheader - Signature Validation - Always included for payload verification via
X-Webhook-Signatureheader
Note: Signature validation is automatically enabled on all webhooks for payload integrity verification, regardless of your chosen authentication method.
Learn more about implementing these security options in our authentication guide.
Testing Your Integration
Built-in Testing Tools
Before going live, validate your webhook setup:
- Dashboard Test Feature - Send sample payloads to your endpoint
- Delivery Monitoring - Track success rates and response times
- Error Diagnostics - Debug failed deliveries
For comprehensive testing instructions, payload examples, and troubleshooting tips, visit our webhook testing guide.
Need Help?
Quick Support Options
Technical Setup
Visit our authentication guide and testing guide for detailed implementation help.
General Support
Check our support page for additional resources and contact information.
Dashboard Issues
Access your webhook management at app.finlight.me or contact support through the platform.
Ready to Start?
Webhooks transform how you receive news updates - from polling every few minutes to instant delivery the moment news breaks.
Start simple with basic filtering criteria, then expand gradually as you discover what works best for your application. The finlight dashboard makes it easy to modify and optimize your webhooks anytime.