Unsplash Photo Search Scraper

What does Unsplash Photo Search Scraper do?

Unsplash Photo Search Scraper extracts structured record data from unsplash.com — including full descriptions, tags, and location data. It supports keyword search and controllable result limits, so you can run the same query consistently over time. The actor also offers detail enrichment (full descriptions) where the source provides them.

How to use this actor

• 👉 Register for a free Apify account — no credit card required.
• 🎉 Just click Sign up free on Apify → and complete a quick signup.
• 💰 A free Apify account includes $5 in monthly credits — enough to test this actor.
• ⏳ Scrape during the free trial, with no commitment or upfront payment required.

Key features

• 🎛️ Filters and sorting: narrow results by orientation, color (keyword searches), orderBy (relevant or latest) and license (all, free or Unsplash+ only).
• 👀 Views and engagement: likes and views show how far each record reached and how people reacted.
• 🔍 Keyword search: search unsplash.com by keyword with the query input.
• 🔗 Paste-mode: paste unsplash.com URLs into startUrls: photo searches, collections, topics, photographer profiles and single photo pages, mixed in one run. Filters in the URL are honoured.
• 📋 Detail enrichment: full details are on by default: tags, camera EXIF, location, topics and view and download counts for every photo. Turn includeDetails off for faster, lighter runs.
• ♻️ Incremental mode: recurring runs emit only photos that are new or changed since the last run, so scheduled monitoring does not re-deliver what you already have. Different searches, pages and filters never share state.
• 🔔 Notifications: Telegram, Slack, Discord, WhatsApp Cloud API, and generic webhook out of the box. Pair with incremental for daily new-listing alerts without pipeline glue.
• 📦 Compact mode: compact mode keeps the core fields only (listingId, id, title, altDescription, photoUrl, query, rank, sourceUrl, scrapedAt, license, licenseUrl, photographerName, unsplashUrl, changeType), ready for AI agents and pipelines.
• 🔌 MCP connectors: send a run summary to Notion through Apify's MCP connectors. Opt-in, deterministic field mapping (no AI).
• 📌 Change classification: each record carries a changeType of NEW / UPDATED / UNCHANGED / REAPPEARED / EXPIRED. Default emits NEW + UPDATED + REAPPEARED; opt into the others with emitUnchanged / emitExpired.
• 🧹 Empty-field stripping: drop null, empty-string, and empty-array fields from each record before push. Smaller payloads for AI agents and dashboards that already handle missing fields gracefully.

What data can you extract from unsplash.com?

Each result includes Core record fields (id, imageId, title, createdAt, updatedAt, width, height, and color, and more) and detail fields when enrichment is enabled (description, altDescription, and detailFetched). In standard mode, all fields are always present — unavailable data points are returned as null, never omitted. In compact mode, only core fields are returned.

Detail enrichment is on by default and adds richer fields such as full descriptions where the source provides them.

Input

The main inputs are a search keyword and a result limit. Additional filters and options are available in the input schema.

Key parameters:

• query — Photo search keywords (e.g. "nature", "office desk"). Required if no startUrls provided.
• maxResults — Maximum total photos (0 = unlimited). (default: 100)
• startUrls — Paste Unsplash page URLs. Supported: photo search (unsplash.com/s/photos/
• orientation — Only photos with this orientation. Leave empty for all. Applies to keyword searches, collections, topics and photographer pages.
• color — Only photos dominated by this color. Applies to keyword searches only (other page types ignore it). Leave empty for all.
• orderBy — Sort order: most relevant first, or newest first.
• license — all = every photo; free = only photos under the free Unsplash license; plus = only Unsplash+ (premium) photos. (default: "all")
• includeDetails — Fetch full photo details (tags, camera metadata, location, topics, view/download counts). (default: true)
• descriptionMaxLength — Truncate description to N chars. 0 = no truncation. (default: 0)
• compact — Core fields only (for AI-agent/MCP workflows). (default: false)
• descriptionFormat — Pick a single description representation. all keeps every variant; text / html / markdown drop the others. (default: "all")
• excludeEmptyFields — Drop null, empty-string, and empty-array fields from each record before push. Smaller payloads for AI agents and dashboards. (default: false)
• ...and 18 more parameters

Input examples

Basic search — Keyword-driven search with a result cap.

→ Full payload per result — all standard fields populated where the source provides them.

{
  "query": "nature",
  "maxResults": 50
}

Filtered search — Narrow results with advanced filters — only matching records are returned.

→ Same field set as basic search; fewer, more relevant rows.

{
  "query": "nature",
  "orientation": "landscape",
  "color": "black_and_white",
  "license": "all",
  "maxResults": 100
}

Incremental tracking — Only emit records that changed since the previous run with this stateKey.

→ First run builds the baseline state. Subsequent runs emit only records that are new or whose tracked content changed. Set emitUnchanged: true to include unchanged records as well.

{
  "query": "nature",
  "maxResults": 200,
  "incrementalMode": true,
  "stateKey": "nature-tracker"
}

Compact filtered output — Combine filters with compact mode for a lightweight AI-agent or MCP data source.

→ Core fields only — ideal for piping into LLMs or downstream tools without token overhead.

{
  "query": "nature",
  "orientation": "landscape",
  "color": "black_and_white",
  "maxResults": 50,
  "compact": true
}

Output

Each run produces a dataset of structured record records. Results can be downloaded as JSON, CSV, or Excel from the Dataset tab in Apify Console.

Example record record

{
  "id": "fWBZ9r4vO9M",
  "imageId": "fWBZ9r4vO9M",
  "title": "a lush green forest filled with lots of trees",
  "altDescription": "a lush green forest filled with lots of trees",
  "createdAt": "2023-01-12T15:26:03Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-18T20:00:36Z",
  "width": 4000,
  "height": 6000,
  "color": "#EFEFEF",
  "blurHash": "L35}~Mx@D=xpVhtQ%dWB8*t7xWM}",
  "likes": 594,
  "urls": {
    "raw": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0",
    "full": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=srgb&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=85",
    "regular": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080",
    "small": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=400",
    "thumb": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=200"
  },
  "imageUrlRaw": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0",
  "imageUrlFull": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=srgb&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=85",
  "imageUrlRegular": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080",
  "imageUrlSmall": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=400",
  "imageUrlThumb": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=200",
  "photoUrl": "https://plus.unsplash.com/premium_photo-1673292293042-cafd9c8a3ab3?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080",
  "links": {
    "self": "https://api.unsplash.com/photos/a-lush-green-forest-filled-with-lots-of-trees-fWBZ9r4vO9M",
    "html": "https://unsplash.com/photos/a-lush-green-forest-filled-with-lots-of-trees-fWBZ9r4vO9M",
    "download": "https://unsplash.com/photos/fWBZ9r4vO9M/download?ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA",
    "download_location": "https://api.unsplash.com/photos/fWBZ9r4vO9M/download?ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA"
  },
  "unsplashUrl": "https://unsplash.com/photos/a-lush-green-forest-filled-with-lots-of-trees-fWBZ9r4vO9M",
  "downloadLocationUrl": "https://api.unsplash.com/photos/fWBZ9r4vO9M/download?ixid=NHwxMjA3fDA",
  "photographer": {
    "name": "Dario Brönnimann",
    "username": "dariobroe",
    "profileUrl": "https://unsplash.com/@dariobroe"
  },
  "photographerName": "Dario Brönnimann",
  "photographerUsername": "dariobroe",
  "photographerProfileUrl": "https://unsplash.com/@dariobroe",
  "tags": [
    "plants",
    "jungle",
    "natural beauty",
    "rainforest",
    "tropical",
    "... 15 more items"
  ],
  "engagement": {
    "likes": 594,
    "views": 0,
    "downloads": 0
  },
  "query": "nature",
  "rank": 1,
  "sourceUrl": "https://unsplash.com/napi/search/photos?query=nature&per_page=20&page=1",
  "scrapedAt": "2026-10-22T12:36:45.320Z",
  "license": "Unsplash+ License",
  "licenseUrl": "https://unsplash.com/plus/license",
  "premium": true,
  "plus": true,
  "location": {
    "name": "Cluny Road, Botanic Gardens, Singapore",
    "city": "Singapore",
    "country": "Singapur",
    "position": {
      "latitude": 1.31384,
      "longitude": 103.815914
    }
  },
  "topics": [
    {
      "id": "6sMVjTLSkeQ",
      "title": "Nature",
      "slug": "nature",
      "visibility": "featured"
    }
  ],
  "views": 0,
  "downloads": 0,
  "portalUrl": "https://unsplash.com/photos/a-lush-green-forest-filled-with-lots-of-trees-fWBZ9r4vO9M",
  "listingId": "22f5136ca30f878757dd2ba252985af9098290a276b5563b6fe8ef2323f7da27",
  "searchQuery": "nature",
  "contentQuality": "full",
  "detailFetched": true,
  "source": "unsplash.com",
  "contentHash": "2e2b6bc7d27e4384df5148de097232df53f0477068166c9a4a527d0680979f83"
}

Incremental fields

When incremental mode is on, each record also carries:

• changeType — one of NEW, UPDATED, UNCHANGED, REAPPEARED, EXPIRED. Default output covers NEW / UPDATED / REAPPEARED; set emitUnchanged: true or emitExpired: true to opt into the others.
• isRepost, repostOfId, repostDetectedAt — populated when a new listing matches the tracked content of a previously expired one. Set skipReposts: true to drop detected reposts from the output.

How to scrape unsplash.com

1. Go to Unsplash Photo Search Scraper in Apify Console.
2. Enter a search keyword.
3. Set maxResults to control how many results you need.
4. Keep includeDetails on (the default) for full descriptions, or turn it off for faster, cheaper runs.
5. Click Start and wait for the run to finish.
6. Export the dataset as JSON, CSV, or Excel.

Use cases

• Extract record data from unsplash.com for market research and competitive analysis.
• Monitor new and changed records on scheduled runs without processing the full dataset every time.
• Feed structured data into AI agents, MCP tools, and automated pipelines using compact mode.
• Export clean, structured data to dashboards, spreadsheets, or data warehouses.

How much does it cost to scrape unsplash.com?

Pricing for Unsplash Photo Search Scraper has not been finalized yet. It will be published here before the actor becomes publicly available.

You only use your normal Apify platform resources when you run the actor from your own account.

FAQ

How many results can I get from unsplash.com?

The number of results depends on the search query and available records on unsplash.com. Use the maxResults parameter to control how many results are returned per run.

Does Unsplash Photo Search Scraper support recurring monitoring?

Yes. Enable incremental mode to only receive new or changed records on subsequent runs. This is ideal for scheduled monitoring where you want to track changes over time without re-processing the full dataset.

Can I integrate Unsplash Photo Search Scraper with other apps?

Yes. Unsplash Photo Search Scraper works with Apify's integrations to connect with tools like Zapier, Make, Google Sheets, Slack, and more. You can also use webhooks to trigger actions when a run completes.

Can I use Unsplash Photo Search Scraper with the Apify API?

Yes. You can start runs, manage inputs, and retrieve results programmatically through the Apify API. Client libraries are available for JavaScript, Python, and other languages.

Can I use Unsplash Photo Search Scraper through an MCP Server?

Yes. Apify provides an MCP Server that lets AI assistants and agents call this actor directly. Use compact mode, descriptionMaxLength, a single descriptionFormat, and excludeEmptyFields to keep payloads manageable for LLM context windows.

Is it legal to scrape unsplash.com?

This actor extracts publicly available data from unsplash.com. Web scraping of public information is generally considered legal, but you should always review the target site's terms of service and ensure your use case complies with applicable laws and regulations, including GDPR where relevant.

Your feedback

If you have questions, need a feature, or found a bug, please open an issue on the actor's page in Apify Console. Your feedback helps us improve.

You might also like

• 1182.ee Scraper - Estonian Business Directory — Scrape the 1182.ee Estonian business directory by keyword and get registry codes, phone numbers.
• 1188.lv Business Directory Scraper — Scrape 1188.lv — Latvia's business directory. Search by keyword or city and get the phone number.
• 2GIS Russia Places Scraper [Just 💰$0.14] — Addresses & Ratings — Scrape 2gis.ru places by keyword and city: addresses and coordinates, categories, ratings.
• Acquire Scraper - Startups & SaaS Businesses for Sale — Scrape startup and SaaS businesses for sale on Acquire.com: filter public listings by keyword.
• Ahrefs Blog Scraper - Posts, Authors & Full Text — Scrape the ahrefs.com blog: search posts by keyword, filter by category, and export title, excerpt,.
• Apontador Brazil Business Scraper — Scrape Apontador — Brazil's local business directory. Search any city and category for business.
• BBB Business Scraper [Just 💰$0.54] — Scrape Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) business profiles in the USA and Canada: BBB rating,.
• Bizi.si Slovenian Company Scraper — Get Slovenian company records from the bizi.si registry: name, registration number, tax ID,.

Getting started with Apify

New to Apify? Create a free account with $5 credit — no credit card required.

1. Sign up — $5 platform credit included
2. Open this actor and configure your input
3. Click Start — export results as JSON, CSV, or Excel

Need more later? See Apify pricing.

Disclaimer

This actor accesses only publicly available data on unsplash.com. You are responsible for how you use the extracted data — in particular any personal information such as names, phone numbers, or email addresses — and for complying with Unsplash Photo Search's terms of use, applicable data-protection law (including the GDPR where it applies), and the anti-spam rules of your jurisdiction.

This actor is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Unsplash Photo Search or any of its subsidiaries. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Search keywords

unsplash scraper, unsplash api, apify unsplash, unsplash data extraction, unsplash photo search scraper, apify unsplash photo search, unsplash photo search data extraction, unsplash.com scraper, unsplash.com data, unsplash.com api.