# Instagram Profile Scraper — Bio, Followers & Posts (no login) (`bakos_bence/instagram-profile-scraper`) Actor

Scrape public Instagram profiles without login — bio, follower counts, verification, business category, profile pictures, recent posts, and related accounts. Export JSON/CSV via Apify API.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/bakos\_bence/instagram-profile-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Bakos Bence](https://apify.com/bakos_bence) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $0.28 / 1,000 profiles

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

### What does Instagram Profile Scraper do?

**Scrape public Instagram profile metadata** — bio, follower counts, verification, business category, profile pictures, recent posts, and related profiles — **without login**.

**Unofficial.** This Actor is **not affiliated with, endorsed by, or maintained by Instagram / Meta.** It reads **public** profile data only.

**Dashboards:** connect **Power BI**, **Tableau**, **Looker Studio**, or **Qlik** to the dataset API — see *Export to Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio & Qlik* near the end. **AI agents:** paste this Actor’s Store page URL into an Apify-capable agent (MCP / Claude / Cursor with Apify), create an Apify account and API token once, and the agent can run the Actor and wire up the output.

**Drop-in input:** `usernames` array aligned with [Apify Instagram Profile Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/instagram-profile-scraper) for easy migration.

#### Why use this scraper?

- 📸 Public profile bio, counts, verification, and business fields
- 📝 Optional embedded **latestPosts** from the profile timeline
- 🔗 Related profiles surfaced in the API response
- 🔑 Clone-compatible `usernames` input — no cookies for public accounts

#### What data can you extract?

Public profile fields: username, user ID, full name, biography, external URL, follower/following/post counts, verification and privacy flags, business category, profile picture URLs, recent posts (caption, likes, comments, media URL), and related profile suggestions.

`includeAboutSection` is accepted for schema compatibility but **not supported** — date-joined / country fields are not fetched.

#### Use cases

- Creator and brand **discovery** by bio and follower metrics
- **Competitor** and market research on public accounts
- Contact-link aggregation from bios and bio links
- Recent content overview without a separate posts Actor

#### How to scrape Instagram profiles

1. Open this Actor in [Apify Console](https://console.apify.com/).
2. Click **Start** on the prefilled `@instagram` handle (`maxRecentPosts` 5). Keep **Residential** proxy enabled.
3. Add usernames, `@handles`, or profile URLs to the `usernames` list.
4. Export JSON/CSV from the dataset, or open the **Issues** tab on this Store page if a run fails.

```json
{
  "usernames": ["instagram"],
  "includeRecentPosts": true,
  "maxRecentPosts": 5,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"]
  }
}
```

#### Sample output

```json
{
  "inputUrl": "https://www.instagram.com/instagram/",
  "username": "instagram",
  "id": "25025320",
  "fullName": "Instagram",
  "biography": "Discover what's new on Instagram",
  "followersCount": 686331939,
  "followsCount": 280,
  "postsCount": 8569,
  "verified": true,
  "private": false,
  "isBusinessAccount": false,
  "profilePicUrl": "https://…",
  "url": "https://www.instagram.com/instagram/",
  "latestPosts": [
    {
      "shortCode": "Dcjf2b4GE_M",
      "caption": "…",
      "likesCount": 230076,
      "commentsCount": 3655,
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcjf2b4GE_M/"
    }
  ],
  "relatedProfiles": [],
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-28T11:00:00+00:00"
}
```

#### How much does it cost?

**Pay per event (PPE):** Actor start + each successfully scraped **profile**. On Free, profiles are about **$0.45 / 1,000**; paid plans are lower (see the Pricing tab). **No profile charge when zero profiles succeed.**

The Actor stops early when your run hits the platform **charge limit** (`event_charge_limit_reached`).

#### FAQ

##### Does it require Instagram login?

No. Public profiles are fetched via Instagram’s public web profile API. Private accounts you cannot view without login may return limited or error rows.

##### Is this official Instagram software?

No. Unofficial tool; not affiliated with Instagram or Meta.

##### Can I migrate from apify/instagram-profile-scraper?

Yes. Use the same `usernames` array. `includeAboutSection` is ignored on this Actor.

##### Legal?

Public profile facts only. No login bypass. No private personal data beyond what Instagram publishes on public profiles.

#### Related Actors

| Actor | Use together when… |
|-------|-------------------|
| [Instagram Comments Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/instagram-comments) | You need comment threads on specific posts or reels |
| [Meta Ads Library Scraper](https://apify.com/bakos_bence/meta-ads-library) | You pair creator profiles with Facebook / Instagram ad creative research |
| [Apify Instagram Profile Scraper](https://apify.com/apify/instagram-profile-scraper) | You need the official Store leader with about-section add-on |

Profile: [bakos\_bence on Apify](https://apify.com/bakos_bence)

#### For AI agents & LLM apps

Paste this Actor’s **Apify Store URL** into an agent that can use Apify (MCP, Claude, Cursor, etc.). With an Apify account and API token, the agent can set input, run the Actor, and fetch the dataset.

**Actor ID:** `bakos_bence/instagram-profile-scraper`

**Purpose:** Public Instagram profile metadata; no login.

#### Export to Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio & Qlik

After a run, rows live in an Apify **dataset**. You can download JSON/CSV/Excel from the Dataset tab, or point BI tools at a **CSV URL** that refreshes when you scrape again.

**Prefer the token in the URL** (`token=`) — most tools only need “open this link as CSV”, with no custom headers.

##### Build a refreshable CSV URL

1. In Apify Console, open **Settings → Integrations** and copy an API token.
2. Save this Actor as a **Task** (optional but best for dashboards), run or **schedule** it once so there is a successful run.
3. Use the **latest successful task run** URL (replace `TASK_ID` and `YOUR_TOKEN`):

```text
https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-tasks/TASK_ID/runs/last/dataset/items?format=csv&clean=true&status=SUCCEEDED&token=YOUR_TOKEN
```

Or, from any finished run, open the **Dataset** tab, copy the dataset ID, and use:

```text
https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/DATASET_ID/items?format=csv&clean=true&token=YOUR_TOKEN
```

Anyone with that URL can read the data — treat it like a password. For recurring dashboards, prefer the `actor-tasks/…/runs/last/…` form so refresh always hits the newest successful scrape.

##### Power BI

1. Open Power BI Desktop → **Home** → **Get data** → **Web**.
2. Paste the CSV URL (including `token=`).
3. When asked how to sign in, choose **Anonymous** → **Connect**.
4. Confirm the preview is a table (CSV). **Load** or **Transform data** as needed.
5. Publish / schedule refresh in the Power BI service using the same URL (task `runs/last` keeps it current after each scrape).

`401`: token missing/wrong, or you did not pick **Anonymous**.

##### Tableau

1. Install Tableau’s **REST API** connector from Tableau Exchange (Desktop **2023.3+**).
2. **Connect** → **To a Server** → **REST API**.
3. Paste the CSV URL (including `token=`). Set response format to **CSV**.
4. If the connector asks for auth and the token is already in the URL, leave credentials empty / anonymous; otherwise paste the same token as a Bearer access token.
5. Create an **extract**. Refresh the extract after scheduled Task runs (or point at `runs/last` so each refresh loads the latest success).

Plain **Text file** connect still works if you download CSV from the Dataset tab once — use REST when you want repeatable refresh.

##### Looker Studio

Looker Studio has no strong built-in “private CSV API” connector. Use Google Sheets as the bridge:

1. Create a Google Sheet. In **A1** enter:

```text
=IMPORTDATA("https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-tasks/TASK_ID/runs/last/dataset/items?format=csv&clean=true&status=SUCCEEDED&token=YOUR_TOKEN")
```

2. Wait until columns fill (Sheets refreshes IMPORTDATA periodically).
3. In Looker Studio → **Create** → **Report** → **Google Sheets** → select that spreadsheet / tab.
4. Build the report. After each Actor/Task run, refresh the Sheet (or wait for IMPORTDATA) then refresh the Looker data source.

One-off alternative: Dataset tab → download CSV → Looker Studio **File upload**.

##### Qlik

**REST connector** (refreshable):

1. In Qlik Cloud / Qlik Sense → **Add data** → **REST** (or create a REST connection in the Data load editor).
2. URL = the CSV URL including `token=`. Method **GET**.
3. Set the expected response type to **CSV** (or use `format=json` and JSON mode).
4. **Test connection**, pick the table, **Add** / **Load**.
5. **Reload** the app after scheduled scrapes; with `runs/last`, each reload pulls the latest successful dataset.

**Files:** Dataset tab → download CSV → **Add data** → upload the file (fine for a single snapshot).

#### SEO keywords

instagram profile scraper, instagram bio scraper, instagram followers scraper, scrape instagram profile, instagram profile api, instagram username scraper, instagram public profile data, social media profile scraper

# Actor input Schema

## `usernames` (type: `array`):

One or more Instagram usernames, @handles, or profile URLs.

## `includeRecentPosts` (type: `boolean`):

Embed recent posts from the profile timeline (up to maxRecentPosts).

## `maxRecentPosts` (type: `integer`):

Cap posts embedded from the profile response (Instagram returns up to ~12).

## `includeAboutSection` (type: `boolean`):

Accepted for drop-in compatibility with apify/instagram-profile-scraper. Not supported — date joined / country fields are not fetched.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Keep Apify Residential proxy on for reliable access to Instagram profile APIs.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "usernames": [
    "instagram"
  ],
  "includeRecentPosts": true,
  "maxRecentPosts": 5,
  "includeAboutSection": false,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

Default dataset items.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "usernames": [
        "instagram"
    ],
    "maxRecentPosts": 5,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true,
        "apifyProxyGroups": [
            "RESIDENTIAL"
        ]
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("bakos_bence/instagram-profile-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "usernames": ["instagram"],
    "maxRecentPosts": 5,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": True,
        "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("bakos_bence/instagram-profile-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "usernames": [
    "instagram"
  ],
  "maxRecentPosts": 5,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}' |
apify call bakos_bence/instagram-profile-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,bakos_bence/instagram-profile-scraper"
        }
    }
}

```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/BYOrxhdumKL6ctwMR/builds/sC5cXaXYLwYM0Mmll/openapi.json