Integration
A connection between two software tools that allows them to share data and trigger actions in each other automatically.
An integration is a built-in connection between two software products that lets them communicate. When you see "connects with 6,000+ apps" in a Zapier ad, that means Zapier has pre-built integrations with 6,000 other tools.
How integrations work: Integrations typically use the API of each connected tool. The integration layer handles authentication, data formatting, and the HTTP requests — so the end user selects the apps and maps the data fields, without touching code.
Native vs third-party integrations: - Native: Built directly by the tool (e.g., Slack has a native Google Calendar integration) - Third-party: Built by a middleware platform (e.g., Zapier integrates Slack with any of its 6,000 connected tools)
Why integrations matter for AI products: AI tools only deliver value when connected to the rest of your workflow. An AI that summarises your emails is useful; an AI that summarises emails AND updates your CRM AND creates calendar events is a workflow replacement. Integrations make that second thing possible.
Zapier, Make.com, and n8n exist specifically to provide integrations between tools that don't have native connections.
Example
Your email marketing tool (Mailchimp) has an integration with your e-commerce store (Shopify). When a customer places an order, Shopify automatically adds them to the right Mailchimp audience segment — no manual export/import required.
Related terms
API
Application Programming Interface — a defined way for one software application to request data or actions from another, enabling tools to communicate without a human in the loop.
Webhook
A way for one application to automatically notify another when something happens, by sending an HTTP request to a URL you specify.
Automation
Using software to perform tasks without human intervention — triggered by an event, running on a schedule, or responding to conditions.
No-Code
Software tools that let non-programmers build apps, automations, and workflows using visual interfaces instead of writing code.
Trigger
The event that starts an automation workflow — such as a form submission, a new email, or a file upload.