What Is Webhook?
A webhook is an HTTP callback — a lightweight, event-driven mechanism where one application sends real-time data to another application's URL when a specified event occurs. Unlike polling (repeatedly checking for changes), webhooks push data instantly when events happen.
An automated message sent from one application to another when a specific event occurs.
Webhooks enable real-time automation. Instead of checking every few minutes whether something changed (polling), webhooks deliver data the instant an event occurs. This means your automations can respond in seconds rather than minutes.
A common webhook example: when a customer submits a form on your website, the form provider sends a webhook to your automation platform with the form data. The automation then instantly creates a CRM record, sends a confirmation email, and notifies the sales team — all within seconds.
Webhooks follow a publish-subscribe pattern. You "subscribe" to events by registering a URL with the sending application. When the event occurs, the application "publishes" by sending an HTTP POST request to your URL with event data in the request body.
Most modern SaaS applications support webhooks, making them the preferred trigger type for real-time automations. Automation platforms like autn.io handle webhook management automatically — receiving, validating, and routing webhook data to the right workflows.
Related Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and share data with each other.
Trigger
An event or condition that initiates the execution of an automated workflow.
Event-Driven Architecture
A design pattern where systems communicate by producing and consuming events, enabling real-time reactive workflows.
REST API
An API architecture style that uses standard HTTP methods to create, read, update, and delete resources.
More Integration & APIs Terms
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