In a significant shift, a staggering 74% of developers now prioritize API design when building applications, according to Postman's 2024 State of the API Report. This marks a substantial increase from 66% last year, indicating a growing trend towards API-first thinking in software development.

The report, based on a survey of over 5,600 developers and API professionals, reveals that APIs are no longer an afterthought but a foundational element of development. On average, between 26 and 50 APIs power each application, underscoring the critical role of APIs in modern software development.

Other key findings include a significant jump in the number of developers who can produce an API within a week, rising from 47% to 63% this year. Additionally, organizations adopting an API-first approach recover from API failures faster, often within an hour.

The report also sheds light on the increasing importance of APIs in generating revenue, with 62% of respondents working with income-generating APIs. Furthermore, AI-driven API traffic has seen a remarkable 73% increase on Postman's platform over the past year.

The survey highlights areas for improvement, including the need for better collaboration and communication among developers, product managers, and designers. It also emphasizes the importance of API security, with 27% of respondents not using API vault security tools.

The growing adoption of API-first thinking has significant implications for the tech and startup community, underscoring the need for a more strategic and integrated approach to API development.