Set up rate limiting in Next.js with Redis

Implementing a rate limiter in a Next.js web application that consumes third-party APIs, particularly those related to artificial intelligence, is crucial for controlling costs and maintaining server stability. The article outlines how to set up a rate limiter using ioredis, a Redis client for Node.js, due to Redis's speed and efficiency as an in-memory database. Redis's atomic operations and data structures make it a suitable choice for handling high traffic and implementing various rate-limiting algorithms, such as the token bucket algorithm, which is discussed in detail. The token bucket method is favored for its flexibility and scalability, although it can be resource-intensive. The article provides detailed instructions on setting up Redis across different operating systems and deploying the rate limiter in a Next.js API, with attention to geographic-based rate limiting. Additionally, it highlights testing the rate limiter with a Bash script and explores serverless Redis alternatives, emphasizing that rate limiting is essential for publicly accessible applications to prevent excessive requests and potential server overloads.