# Embedded resources

This topic describes how to pre-load additional objects with an API request.
These additional objects are referred to as embedded resources.

Use the `?expand` query parameter to expand and include embedded objects within the `_embedded` property of the response. The `_embedded` property contains objects keyed by the values of the `expand` parameter. To expand multiple objects, pass them as a comma-separated list of resource names.

Expand may be used on `GET`, `PATCH`, `POST`, `PUT` requests.

Important warning
It is highly recommended to use `expand` for single resources only. This operation will negatively affect performance on collections.

Example request containing multiple objects:


```yaml
?expand=recentInvoice,customer
```

Example response:


```json
{
  "_embedded": {
    "recentInvoice": {
      "id": "invoice-1"
    },
    "customer": {
      "id": "customer-1"
    }
  }
}
```