Browser-based, API-based or list-based lead tools: how they differ

Browser-based tools

These work through the account you are already signed in to, in your own browser, the way you would. They can capture people who engaged with a post and act on the account, within what each network allows. They need your browser open to the network while they run.

The trade is that platform rules still apply and the platform decides what it allows, so good tools pace themselves and stop when asked to.

API-based tools

These use a platform's official developer connection. They are stable and sanctioned, but the platforms offer little for finding prospects or contacting strangers. For example, official connections generally do not let a tool follow a person or message someone who has not contacted you.

They suit publishing and reporting better than prospecting.

List-based tools

These sell or provide lists of people by job title, company or industry. They are broad and quick, but the people have not just shown interest in anything, and the data can be out of date. How the list was collected matters, so check it was gathered lawfully.

Reply rates are usually lower than with people who just engaged.

How to choose

• You want people who are interested right now: browser-based capture.
• You want to publish and report on your own pages: API-based tools.
• You want a broad list for a defined group: list-based tools, with care over where the data came from.
• You want safety first: any kind that paces itself, never asks for passwords and stops when a network refuses.

Key takeaways

• Browser-based tools act from your own account and need your browser open.
• Official APIs are stable but limited for prospecting.
• Lists are broad, but the people have not shown interest.
• Choose the kind first, then compare products.

Where Avocado Leads fits

Avocado Leads does the collecting, ranking and pacing part of this work. You paste a post, a profile or a search, and it saves the people who commented, reacted, followed or match, then scores each person from 0 to 100 on buying language, how recently they were active, how well they fit your business and how reachable they are.

It then runs a paced follow or connect campaign from your own signed-in browser, with a message after where the platform allows one. It never asks for your social passwords, and it keeps to hourly, daily, weekly and monthly caps for each network. The limits that come with each platform are on the platforms page, and the safety page explains what it will not do.

Questions people ask