I’m working on a project that connects Google Calendar, Microsoft Todo, and Notion using Node.js. While I can handle basic CRUD operations without issues, I’m stuck on detecting database changes in real time.
For example, when someone adds a new appointment to Google Calendar, I want my system to automatically create a corresponding entry in my Notion database. Right now I’m considering polling the APIs continuously, but that seems inefficient and wasteful.
Is there a way to set up webhook notifications or push events from these REST APIs? Can these services actually send real-time updates when their data changes?
Honestly, just use server-sent events if you can. Way less of a headache than managing webhook endpoints and dealing with all that verification stuff. You’ll still need fallback polling though - these APIs love dropping connections randomly.
Polling APIs can indeed be inefficient. For Google Calendar, you can utilize push notifications via PubSub by creating a webhook endpoint and registering it with the Calendar API. Microsoft Graph also offers subscription webhooks for Todo tasks, though navigating the permissions can be challenging. While Notion doesn’t have standard webhooks, it does provide database subscriptions, which allow you to monitor changes, but this requires maintaining a persistent connection. It’s wise to implement fallback polling for critical syncs as webhooks may miss some updates.
Real-time sync between these services is way trickier than it looks. Google Calendar’s push notifications use Cloud Pub/Sub, but you’ve got to set up domain verification and handle challenge requests correctly or it won’t work. Microsoft Graph subscriptions work fine until they randomly fail after renewal - their error handling is garbage. Notion doesn’t even have proper webhooks, so you’re stuck polling or keeping websocket connections alive. The worst part? Dealing with rate limits and API quirks across all three at once. I went with a hybrid setup - webhooks handle most updates, then I run light polling every few minutes to catch whatever the webhooks miss. Not perfect, but way more reliable than trusting webhooks alone.
Had this exact problem last month. Setting up individual webhooks works, but you’re basically creating an integration nightmare.
Google Calendar push notifications need constant babysitting. Microsoft Graph webhooks randomly expire and break. Notion doesn’t even have proper webhooks.
I skipped wrestling with three different webhook systems and automated everything through one platform instead. Set up triggers for each service that fire when data changes, then sync everything in real time. No polling waste, no webhook maintenance hell.
Built in 30 minutes what would’ve taken weeks of custom webhook code. The platform handles API quirks and keeps everything running.
Everyone’s pushing webhooks, but you’ll waste more time fixing broken connections than building actual features.
I’ve been through this at work. Google’s push notifications randomly break. Microsoft Graph subscriptions are garbage - they expire without warning and renewals fail silently. Notion doesn’t even have webhooks.
Why build three separate webhook handlers plus backup polling when you can automate everything through a workflow platform? Set triggers to watch each service, then sync data between them automatically.
No domain verification mess. No subscription renewals. No polling timers. The platform handles all the API weirdness and keeps things in sync.
Took me an hour to set up what would’ve been weeks of custom code and constant fixes.
yeah, webhooks are def the way to go! google calendar push notifications are solid once you nail the setup - just don’t forget the verification part. as for microsoft graph, those webhooks can be a hassle, since the subs expire every few days and you’ll need to refresh 'em.
Real-time syncing is tricky because each service handles change notifications completely differently. Google Calendar makes you set up webhook endpoints and verify domain ownership before push notifications work. Microsoft Graph has webhook subscriptions, but they’re unreliable - they expire constantly and renewals fail with vague error messages. Notion’s the worst since there’s no webhooks at all. You’re stuck polling their API or keeping connections alive forever. I’ve built these integrations before, and a mixed approach works best. Use webhooks where you can, but have intelligent polling as backup. Batch your operations and use exponential backoff for rate limits. The main thing is building resilience since all three APIs are unreliable in different ways.