What is the main purpose of throttling in API management?

Throttling in API management primarily serves to prevent service overload by limiting the number of API requests that a user or application can make in a given period. This is crucial for maintaining the stability and performance of the backend services, particularly when there are spikes in demand or periods of high usage. By controlling the rate at which requests are processed, throttling protects the infrastructure from being overwhelmed, which could lead to degraded performance or complete service outages.

Additionally, while throttling can indirectly contribute to enhancing user experience and can be part of a broader security strategy, its primary and most direct function is to ensure that API services remain reliable and responsive under varying load conditions. This helps manage resource allocation effectively and offers a predictable performance level for clients using the API.