# Unsplash Image Search Scraper - Photos and Creators (`benthepythondev/unsplash-image-search-scraper`) Actor Search public Unsplash photos and export image variants, descriptions, dimensions, likes, tags, topics, photographer profiles, attribution and download metadata. - **URL**: https://apify.com/benthepythondev/unsplash-image-search-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Ben](https://apify.com/benthepythondev) (community) - **Categories:** Marketing, SEO tools, Social media - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $1.50 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. 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. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use 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 ## Unsplash Image Search Scraper Search public Unsplash photos and export structured image and creator metadata without an Unsplash login, browser runtime, residential proxy, or external API key. The Unsplash Image Search Scraper returns multiple image sizes, dimensions, descriptions, likes, tags, topics, photographer profiles, attribution links, and download metadata with real pagination. The Actor calls the first-party JSON resource used by Unsplash's public search experience. It supports several queries, relevance or latest ordering, orientation, dominant color, content filtering, bounded pagination, and cross-query deduplication. Results are saved one unique photo per dataset row for JSON, CSV, Excel, API, webhook, or scheduled workflows. ### What can you use it for? - Research public image results for products, topics, places, or campaigns. - Build a reviewed visual-reference table with photographer attribution. - Compare how different queries overlap in Unsplash search. - Discover public creator profiles and portfolio links. - Collect image dimensions, aspect ratios, tags, topics, and descriptions. - Prepare a human-reviewed shortlist for editorial or design work. - Monitor changes in public image-search ranking over time. - Feed metadata into a DAM, spreadsheet, database, or workflow. This Actor returns public metadata and current source URLs. It does not transfer image rights, remove attribution requirements, permanently host media, or grant permission to republish a photo. ### Input ```json { "queries": ["mountain landscape", "remote work"], "orderBy": "relevant", "orientation": "any", "color": "any", "contentFilter": "high", "maxResultsPerQuery": 20, "maxPagesPerQuery": 20 } ```` #### Input fields | Field | Type | Default | Description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `queries` | array | `["mountain landscape"]` | Public Unsplash photo search terms. | | `orderBy` | string | `relevant` | Use relevance ranking or newest-first ordering. | | `orientation` | string | `any` | Any, landscape, portrait, or square orientation. | | `color` | string | `any` | Optional Unsplash dominant-color filter. | | `contentFilter` | string | `high` | High or low source content-filter setting. | | `maxResultsPerQuery` | integer | `20` | Maximum source photos processed per query, up to 1,000. | | `maxPagesPerQuery` | integer | `20` | Hard pagination limit per query, up to 50. | Use a small limit while testing a workflow. A page contains up to 30 source photos. The Actor stops when the requested count is reached, the page limit is reached, the source reports its final page, or no further results are returned. Queries are deduplicated before requests start. If the same photo appears for several queries, it is written once and its query matches and ranks are merged. This avoids duplicate result charges and makes overlap analysis straightforward. ### Output Each dataset item represents one unique public Unsplash photo. ```json { "id": "Bkci_8qcdvQ", "slug": "snow-capped-mountains-with-valley-and-forest-Bkci_8qcdvQ", "url": "https://unsplash.com/photos/Bkci_8qcdvQ", "description": null, "alt_description": "snow capped mountains with valley and forest", "width": 5760, "height": 3840, "aspect_ratio": 1.5, "color": "#8c999c", "blur_hash": "LKH_...", "created_at": "2016-05-03T11:58:29Z", "updated_at": "2026-07-11T08:00:00Z", "promoted_at": null, "likes": 1342, "is_liked_by_user": false, "is_premium": false, "is_plus": false, "image_raw_url": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-example", "image_full_url": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-example?fit=max", "image_regular_url": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-example?w=1080", "image_small_url": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-example?w=400", "image_thumbnail_url": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-example?w=200", "download_url": "https://unsplash.com/photos/Bkci_8qcdvQ/download", "download_location": "https://unsplash.com/napi/photos/Bkci_8qcdvQ/download", "photographer_id": "public-user-id", "photographer_username": "kalenemsley", "photographer_name": "Kalen Emsley", "photographer_url": "https://unsplash.com/@kalenemsley", "photographer_bio": "Public profile bio", "photographer_location": "Canada", "photographer_portfolio_url": "https://example.com", "photographer_instagram_username": "example", "photographer_profile_image_url": "https://images.unsplash.com/profile-example", "photographer_total_collections": 3, "photographer_total_likes": 77, "photographer_total_photos": 120, "tags": ["mountain", "nature"], "topics": ["nature"], "sponsorship": null, "matched_queries": ["mountain landscape"], "query_ranks": {"mountain landscape": 2}, "query_totals": {"mountain landscape": 10100}, "rank": 2, "scraped_at": "2026-07-11T12:00:00+00:00" } ``` #### Image fields - `image_raw_url` preserves the source image endpoint with minimal transformation. - `image_full_url`, `image_regular_url`, `image_small_url`, and `image_thumbnail_url` provide source-selected variants. - `width`, `height`, and `aspect_ratio` describe the original photo dimensions. - `color` and `blur_hash` can support placeholders and visual loading states. - `description` and `alt_description` are public source text and can be absent. Unsplash image URLs support transformation parameters. Do not strip attribution or use transformations to circumvent source rules. Keep the public photo and photographer URLs in downstream records. #### Photographer fields The output includes public username, name, profile URL, bio, location, portfolio, social handles, profile image, and aggregate profile counts when available. These are source observations at scrape time. They are not independent identity verification and should not be used for sensitive profiling or unsolicited mass outreach. #### Cross-query fields - `matched_queries` lists every input query that returned the photo. - `query_ranks` maps each matching query to its source rank. - `query_totals` records the source-reported result count for each query. - `rank` is the unique output insertion order for the run. Cross-query merging means a photo returned for three searches creates one billed result instead of three. It also makes it possible to find visual assets that cover several concepts. ### A practical visual-research workflow 1. Start with three to ten narrow queries. 2. Use the high content filter and a 20-result limit for the first run. 3. Inspect attribution, licensing context, and visual relevance manually. 4. Keep `id`, `url`, `photographer_url`, `matched_queries`, and `scraped_at`. 5. Use thumbnails in review tables and open the public photo page before selection. 6. Confirm permitted use and attribution requirements before publishing. 7. Trigger any required download tracking when an actual download occurs. 8. Store only metadata and media needed for the legitimate project. Search rank is not a quality score or recommendation. Results can contain sponsored or Plus content, change between runs, and vary with Unsplash experiments. `is_plus`, `is_premium`, and `sponsorship` help downstream workflows route those records for review. ### Scheduling and integrations Save a tested input as an Apify Task, then attach a schedule or webhook. Results can feed: - Google Sheets or Airtable for a visual review queue; - n8n, Make, or Zapier for workflow automation; - BigQuery, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, or object storage for search snapshots; - a digital asset management intake process; - Python or JavaScript through the Apify API. For rank monitoring, append timestamped datasets and compare `query_ranks` by photo ID. Avoid high-frequency polling: public image search usually does not require minute-by-minute collection. ### Pricing This Actor uses transparent pay-per-event pricing: - `$0.005` when the Actor starts. - `$0.0015` for each unique photo saved to the default dataset. A 100-photo run costs about `$0.155` in Actor charges before ordinary Apify platform usage. Cross-query duplicates are merged and billed once. Empty pages, failed requests, and source rows beyond the configured limit do not create result charges. The result price is about half the closest current competing Unsplash image Actor's `$0.00299`, with a much lower run-start charge than its `$0.09`. ### Reliability and limits The engine uses Chrome-compatible TLS impersonation and direct HTTP requests to Unsplash's public search resource. It launches no browser and requires no proxy. Requests have explicit timeouts, up to three bounded retries, and a short delay between pages. Query, page, and result counts are capped, and empty overall output fails explicitly. Unsplash controls its public endpoint, result ordering, filters, fields, and availability. The source can change without notice. Image CDN links and download routes can rotate. This Actor does not cache or redistribute image binaries and cannot guarantee that a previously returned photo remains available. ### Licensing and responsible use Review the current Unsplash License and API guidelines before using or downloading photos. The output includes attribution and source links to support compliant workflows, but the Actor does not decide whether a particular commercial, editorial, model, property, trademark, or privacy use is lawful. Additional permissions may be needed for recognizable people, private property, brands, or sensitive contexts. Do not use the Actor for unauthorized bulk republication, removing attribution, creating a competing image service, harassment, sensitive profiling, or spam. `download_location` is provided as source metadata; this Actor does not call it on behalf of an actual download. This Actor is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Unsplash. ### Frequently asked questions #### Does it require an Unsplash API key? No. It reads the public first-party web search resource. #### Does it download or store the image files? No. It returns current public image variants and metadata in small dataset rows. #### Can it search multiple phrases? Yes. Duplicate photos are merged and `matched_queries` preserves every match. #### Can I filter by orientation and color? Yes. The Actor passes supported orientation and dominant-color filters to Unsplash. #### Does a returned URL grant permission to publish the photo? No. Review Unsplash's current license, attribution guidance, and any additional rights required for the intended use. #### Can I schedule it? Yes. Save the input as an Apify Task and use a reasonable daily or weekly cadence for rank monitoring. ### You might also like - [Pinterest Search Scraper](https://apify.com/benthepythondev/pinterest-search-scraper) for public visual discovery and creator metadata. - [Dribbble Designers Scraper](https://apify.com/benthepythondev/dribbble-designers-scraper) for public designer profile research. - [Google News Scraper](https://apify.com/benthepythondev/google-news-scraper) for public news and image-linked article research. If the Actor saved time or replaced manual work, leave a Store review. Reviews help prioritize source monitoring, field improvements, and support. Keywords: Unsplash scraper, Unsplash image search API, free stock photo scraper, image metadata scraper, photographer profile scraper, visual content research, Unsplash photo downloader metadata, image SEO research. # Actor input Schema ## `queries` (type: `array`): Unsplash photo search terms. Duplicate photos across queries are merged into one result. ## `orderBy` (type: `string`): Use relevance ranking or newest-first ordering. ## `orientation` (type: `string`): Optional orientation filter. ## `color` (type: `string`): Optional Unsplash color filter. ## `contentFilter` (type: `string`): Unsplash content-safety filter level. ## `maxResultsPerQuery` (type: `integer`): Maximum source photos processed for each query. ## `maxPagesPerQuery` (type: `integer`): Pagination safety limit for each query. ## Actor input object example ```json { "queries": [ "mountain landscape", "remote work" ], "orderBy": "relevant", "orientation": "any", "color": "any", "contentFilter": "high", "maxResultsPerQuery": 20, "maxPagesPerQuery": 20 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # 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 '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "queries": [ "mountain landscape", "remote work" ], "orderBy": "relevant", "orientation": "any", "color": "any", "contentFilter": "high", "maxResultsPerQuery": 20, "maxPagesPerQuery": 20 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("benthepythondev/unsplash-image-search-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 '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "queries": [ "mountain landscape", "remote work", ], "orderBy": "relevant", "orientation": "any", "color": "any", "contentFilter": "high", "maxResultsPerQuery": 20, "maxPagesPerQuery": 20, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("benthepythondev/unsplash-image-search-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "queries": [ "mountain landscape", "remote work" ], "orderBy": "relevant", "orientation": "any", "color": "any", "contentFilter": "high", "maxResultsPerQuery": 20, "maxPagesPerQuery": 20 }' | apify call benthepythondev/unsplash-image-search-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=benthepythondev/unsplash-image-search-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Unsplash Image Search Scraper - Photos and Creators", "description": "Search public Unsplash photos and export image variants, descriptions, dimensions, likes, tags, topics, photographer profiles, attribution and download metadata.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "Hmn0gw8ztMq6omksu" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/benthepythondev~unsplash-image-search-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-benthepythondev-unsplash-image-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/benthepythondev~unsplash-image-search-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-benthepythondev-unsplash-image-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/benthepythondev~unsplash-image-search-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-benthepythondev-unsplash-image-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "queries" ], "properties": { "queries": { "title": "Image search queries", "type": "array", "description": "Unsplash photo search terms. Duplicate photos across queries are merged into one result.", "default": [ "mountain landscape" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "orderBy": { "title": "Result order", "enum": [ "relevant", "latest" ], "type": "string", "description": "Use relevance ranking or newest-first ordering.", "default": "relevant" }, "orientation": { "title": "Photo orientation", "enum": [ "any", "landscape", "portrait", "squarish" ], "type": "string", "description": "Optional orientation filter.", "default": "any" }, "color": { "title": "Dominant color", "enum": [ "any", "black_and_white", "black", "white", "yellow", "orange", "red", "purple", "magenta", "green", "teal", "blue" ], "type": "string", "description": "Optional Unsplash color filter.", "default": "any" }, "contentFilter": { "title": "Content filter", "enum": [ "high", "low" ], "type": "string", "description": "Unsplash content-safety filter level.", "default": "high" }, "maxResultsPerQuery": { "title": "Maximum photos per query", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum source photos processed for each query.", "default": 20 }, "maxPagesPerQuery": { "title": "Maximum pages per query", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 50, "type": "integer", "description": "Pagination safety limit for each query.", "default": 20 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```