Analytics Overview
Planet Analytics transforms satellite imagery into actionable intelligence using computer vision and machine learning. The Analytics API provides programmatic access to Analytic Feeds—automated detections and classifications of objects, geographic features, and changes over time.
The Analytic Feeds Viewer showcases the Analytics API in action. See the Viewer documentation to learn more.
Analytics API components
Feeds and Subscriptions
Learn how to list feeds and subscriptions in the Analytics API.
Querying Results
Learn how to query subscription results in the Analytics API.
API Reference
OpenAPI specification for REST API
Feeds
Feeds define the analytic models and processing pipelines that transform Planet imagery into structured outputs. Each feed targets a specific use case with optimized performance and quality. For example, the Monthly Road Detection Feed identifies roads in PlanetScope Mosaics and outputs raster segmentation masks.
Analytic Subscriptions
Note: Analytic subscriptions are distinct from data subscriptions in the Subscriptions API.
An analytic subscription defines your Area of Interest (AOI) and Time Interval of Interest (TOI) for a specific feed. For example: Road Detection over San Francisco, California for 12 months. Use the Analytics API to list and manage your subscriptions.
Results
When new imagery is published within your subscription's AOI, Planet's models automatically process it and add results to your subscription. For instance, a Vessel Detection subscription generates new vessel detections each time daily imagery is published.
Each result links to the source imagery accompanying it, enabling visual verification and detailed analysis.
Vector Results
Vector-based feeds output GeoJSON feature collections conforming to the OGC Web Feature Service specification. Each feature represents an individual detection (for example, a vessel) or change event (for example, new building construction).
Raster Results
Raster-based feeds output GeoTIFF files referenced in GeoJSON feature collections. Each feature corresponds to a mosaic quad containing links to the accompanying imagery.
Available Feeds, Imagery, and Output Formats
| Feed | Accompanying Imagery | Result Format |
|---|---|---|
| Building Detection | Mosaic | Raster |
| Road Detection | Mosaic | Raster |
| Vessel Detection | Scene | Vector |
| Aircraft Detection | Scene | Vector |
| Building Change Detection | Multiple Mosaics | Vector |
| Road Change Detection | Multiple Mosaics | Vector |
Web Map Tile Service
Stream source imagery and raster analytic results directly into ArcGIS, QGIS, or other GIS platforms using Planet's WMTS endpoint:
https://api.planet.com/basemaps/v1/mosaics/wmts?api_key={api-key}
Derivative raster outputs follow the naming convention SIF-<Feed_ID>-yyyy-mm-dd:
| Item Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Global Monthly 2020 01 Mosaic | Planet's global visual mosaic product for January 2020 |
| sif-b442c53b-fc72-4bee-bab4-0b7aa318ccd9-2020-01-01 | Derivative raster output for feed ID "b442c53b-fc72-4bee-bab4-0b7aa318ccd9" (monthly building detection) |
Learn more in the tile service reference documentation.
OGC Features API
The Analytics API conforms to the OGC Features API specification, enabling WFS integration with GIS platforms. Query this endpoint to list available results:
https://api.planet.com/analytics/
API Mechanics
Pagination
Responses are paginated with a default limit of 250 items per page. Each response includes a next link to retrieve additional results. See this Jupyter notebook for a detailed pagination guide.
Rate Limiting
All Analytics API endpoints are rate limited to 10 requests per second per API key. See rate limiting for details.
Errors
See the errors page for API error information.