The "refresh token" in OAuth 2.0 can be utilized for maintaining user sessions by allowing the client to renew access tokens without user interaction. When an access token expires, the client can use the refresh token to obtain a new access token, which extends the user session without the need for the user to log in again. This approach enhances user experience and security.

When integrating with a third-party service, it's common to use a direct HTTP request to the service's API endpoints. This allows your application to fetch data from the service in real-time and maintain a connection with the third-party server. WebSocket is generally not used for fetching data, embedding code directly can lead to issues, and creating a local database copy may not be practical for real-time data.

A Public API is accessible to anyone and does not require special permissions for use, while a Private API has restricted access and is typically used within an organization or by specific authorized users. Public APIs may have usage limitations or require authentication, while Private APIs are usually for internal or controlled use.

Developers may choose to create a Web API instead of a traditional web application to enable integration with other systems. Web APIs allow different software applications to communicate and interact, making them ideal for data exchange and third-party integrations. Providing a graphical user interface, offering a mobile app, or improving website performance may be goals but are not primary reasons for creating a Web API.

When implementing API key rotation, it's crucial to consider security best practices. API keys should be changed periodically to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Sharing keys with everyone or storing them in public places should be avoided. Storing keys securely, managing access, and ensuring that compromised keys can be revoked are important aspects of API key rotation.

GraphQL allows for more flexibility in querying data compared to REST because it enables clients to specify the structure and fields of the response, allowing them to request only the data they require. In contrast, REST often returns fixed data structures, and clients must make multiple requests to retrieve the needed data.

Load testing an API involves assessing its performance under a specific load. This test measures how well the API can handle a high volume of concurrent requests or transactions, helping identify performance bottlenecks and ensuring the API's reliability under heavy usage.

Optimizing the performance of APIs is essential for ensuring responsiveness. Minimizing database queries and employing caching mechanisms can significantly reduce response times. Caching allows you to store frequently accessed data in memory, reducing the need for repeated database queries. This is a recommended practice for performance optimization.

Rate limiting protects a Web API by limiting the number of requests a user or application can make within a defined time frame. This prevents abuse or overuse of the API, ensuring fair usage and system stability. It helps maintain quality of service for all users and prevents potential DDoS attacks.

In this situation, OAuth 2.0 is employed to securely expose user data to third-party apps. OAuth acts as a resource server, authenticating and authorizing these apps, and issuing access tokens. It ensures controlled access to user data without exposing sensitive information directly. JWTs can also be used to include user data in the token if necessary.