# Instagram Followers Scraper (Cheap) (`data_api/instagram-followers-scraper-cheap`) Actor Instagram follower count scraper that pulls follower counts, engagement rates, and post stats for any handle, so you can track accounts without logging in or opening a browser. - **URL**: https://apify.com/data\_api/instagram-followers-scraper-cheap.md - **Developed by:** [Data API](https://apify.com/data_api) (community) - **Categories:** Social media, Lead generation, Automation - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $1.99 / 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. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. 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 ## Instagram Follower Count Scraper ![Instagram Follower Count Scraper](cover.jpg) Want to know how big an Instagram account really is without opening the app and squinting at the profile? Type in a handle and this scraper hands you the follower count, who they follow, how many posts they've shared, their engagement rate, and the average likes and comments per post. Check one creator or paste a whole list of handles and get a clean row for each. Good for sizing up influencers, tracking competitors, or building a dataset of accounts you care about. ### What you get Every handle you submit turns into one tidy row, and the rows all share the same shape. When a value isn't available it comes back as `null` rather than disappearing, so your columns line up when you load the data into a spreadsheet or database. Each row carries: - **Account identity** — `handle`, `fullName`, `profileLink` - **Reach** — `followerCount`, `followingCount`, `postCount` - **Engagement** — `engagementPercent`, `avgLikes`, `avgComments` - **Run metadata** — `collectedAt`, `errorMessage` ### Quick start 1. Click **Try for free** and open the input form. 2. Type one handle into **Single handle**, or paste several into **Handle list** (leave off the @). 3. Set a **Result cap** if you want to limit the run, and adjust the **Request timeout** if needed. 4. Hit **Start**, then download the results as JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML once it wraps up. ![How it works](how-it-works.jpg) ### Use cases - **Influencer vetting** — confirm a creator's real follower count and engagement before you pay for a post - **Competitor tracking** — log rival brand accounts over time and watch how their reach moves - **Agency reporting** — pull follower and engagement stats for a roster of client accounts in one run - **Lead research** — qualify accounts by size and activity before you reach out - **Trend spotting** — measure which accounts in a niche are growing and which are flat ### Input | Field | Type | Required | Description | |-------|------|----------|-------------| | `profileHandle` | string | One of `profileHandle` or `profileHandles` | A single Instagram handle to check, without the @. Example: `natgeo`. | | `profileHandles` | array of strings | One of `profileHandle` or `profileHandles` | A list of Instagram handles to pull in one run, each without the @. | | `resultsLimit` | integer | No | Most handles to process per run. Default `50`. | | `timeoutSeconds` | integer | No | Seconds to wait on each request before giving up. Default `45`. | #### Example input ```json { "profileHandle": "natgeo", "profileHandles": ["natgeo", "nasa"], "resultsLimit": 50, "timeoutSeconds": 45 } ```` ### Output Each handle you submit produces exactly one row, and every field is always present — values that couldn't be read come back as `null` so the dataset stays rectangular. #### Example output ```json { "handle": "natgeo", "fullName": "National Geographic", "followerCount": 281000000, "followingCount": 158, "postCount": 31420, "engagementPercent": "0.12%", "avgLikes": 142500, "avgComments": 980, "profileLink": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/", "collectedAt": "2026-06-29T12:00:00.000000+00:00", "errorMessage": null } ``` #### Output fields | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `handle` | string | The Instagram handle that was looked up | | `fullName` | string | Public display name shown on the profile | | `followerCount` | integer | Number of accounts following this handle | | `followingCount` | integer | Number of accounts this handle follows | | `postCount` | integer | Total posts shared on the profile | | `engagementPercent` | string | Engagement rate as a percentage string, such as `0.12%` | | `avgLikes` | integer | Average likes per recent post | | `avgComments` | integer | Average comments per recent post | | `profileLink` | string | Direct URL to the Instagram profile | | `collectedAt` | string | ISO 8601 timestamp marking when the row was captured | | `errorMessage` | string | Reason a handle could not be processed; `null` on success | ### Tips for best results - **Start with a few handles.** Run three or four before a big batch so you can confirm the output fits your pipeline. - **Drop the @ sign.** Handles are read without it; `natgeo` works, and `@natgeo` gets trimmed for you anyway. - **Use the result cap to control spend.** Set `resultsLimit` low for test runs, then raise it for the full list. - **Raise the timeout if requests stall.** Bump `timeoutSeconds` toward 60 if you see slow responses. - **A handle that errors still returns a row.** Failed lookups come back with the fields as `null` and a filled `errorMessage`, so nothing silently drops. ### How can I use Instagram follower data? **How can I use the Instagram Follower Count Scraper to vet influencers?** Paste the handles of the creators you're considering and read back their follower count, engagement rate, and average likes and comments. Compare those numbers side by side to see who actually drives interaction versus who just has a big audience, before you spend on a partnership. **How can I track Instagram competitor follower counts over time?** Build a list of competitor handles and run the scraper on a schedule. Each run writes one row per account with the current `followerCount`, `postCount`, and engagement figures, so you can stack the exports and chart how each account grows week over week. **How can I pull Instagram follower stats for a list of accounts at once?** Drop your accounts into `profileHandles` and set `resultsLimit` to cover the batch. Every handle comes back as a single row with reach and engagement data, turning a plain list of usernames into a structured dataset you can export to CSV or feed into a report. ### Is it legal to scrape data? Our actors are ethical and do not extract any private user data, such as email addresses or private contact information. They only extract what the user has chosen to share publicly. We therefore believe that our actors, when used for ethical purposes by Apify users, are safe. However, you should be aware that your results could contain personal data. Personal data is protected by the GDPR in the European Union and by other regulations around the world. You should not scrape personal data unless you have a legitimate reason to do so. If you're unsure whether your reason is legitimate, consult your lawyers. You can also read Apify's blog post on the [legality of web scraping](https://blog.apify.com/is-web-scraping-legal/). ### Support Questions, feature requests, or a field you'd like added? Reach out at and we'll get back to you. # Actor input Schema ## `profileHandle` (type: `string`): One Instagram handle to check, typed without the @ sign. ## `profileHandles` (type: `array`): Several Instagram handles to pull in the same run. Drop the @ sign from each one. ## `resultsLimit` (type: `integer`): Largest number of handles the run will process before stopping. ## `timeoutSeconds` (type: `integer`): How long to wait on each request, in seconds, before giving up on it. ## Actor input object example ```json { "profileHandle": "natgeo", "profileHandles": [ "natgeo", "nasa" ], "resultsLimit": 50, "timeoutSeconds": 45 } ``` # 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 = { "profileHandle": "kawsarlog" }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("data_api/instagram-followers-scraper-cheap").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 = { "profileHandle": "kawsarlog" } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("data_api/instagram-followers-scraper-cheap").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 '{ "profileHandle": "kawsarlog" }' | apify call data_api/instagram-followers-scraper-cheap --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=data_api/instagram-followers-scraper-cheap", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Instagram Followers Scraper (Cheap)", "description": "Instagram follower count scraper that pulls follower counts, engagement rates, and post stats for any handle, so you can track accounts without logging in or opening a browser.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "uj3Eh7AL2F3LcPWiI" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/data_api~instagram-followers-scraper-cheap/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-data_api-instagram-followers-scraper-cheap", "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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/data_api~instagram-followers-scraper-cheap/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-data_api-instagram-followers-scraper-cheap", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/data_api~instagram-followers-scraper-cheap/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-data_api-instagram-followers-scraper-cheap", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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", "properties": { "profileHandle": { "title": "Single handle", "type": "string", "description": "One Instagram handle to check, typed without the @ sign." }, "profileHandles": { "title": "Handle list", "type": "array", "description": "Several Instagram handles to pull in the same run. Drop the @ sign from each one.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "resultsLimit": { "title": "Result cap", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Largest number of handles the run will process before stopping.", "default": 50 }, "timeoutSeconds": { "title": "Request timeout", "minimum": 5, "maximum": 120, "type": "integer", "description": "How long to wait on each request, in seconds, before giving up on it.", "default": 45 } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```