---
title: GraphQL API technical overview
slug: graph/docs/graphql-api-technical-overview
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-30T20:30:19.179Z
---

[GraphQL APIs](https://graphql.org/) expose Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) data as a graph-based structure that you can query from a single endpoint. GraphQL organizes data into *types* and *fields* so applications request only the content they need.

## Schema and public key

The GraphQL API generates a [GraphQL schema](docId\:sNcLLcLYgWv_QVb0Mtqus) from the content you [sync from your site](docId\:GHPdKRxNshVI1_ghsWOXf). Each site has its own schema based on the content types you configured in CMS. You need a public key to access the schema and content through the API. When Optimizely Support creates your service account in the cloud, you receive a public key that gives read-only access to the content in your Optimizely Graph.

## Content availability

Published content is available in near real-time for searches and queries.

The following diagram shows how content moves from CMS into Optimizely Graph and how applications query the schema:

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/RPtfnkjYptXwHswFXDCmZ_09520b1-contentgraphexample1.PNG)