# Kickstarter Scraper (`datascrapers/kickstarter-scraper`) Actor

Kickstarter project records from search terms, categories, and project URLs, including funding, creator, and status. Optional story, rewards, and comments stay on the same project row.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/datascrapers/kickstarter-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Farhan Ali](https://apify.com/datascrapers) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.00 / 1,000 projects

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?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
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.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## 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.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

**Kickstarter Scraper** creates a structured dataset of crowdfunding projects collected from Kickstarter. Each dataset item is one project and can include name, blurb, URL, category, goal, pledged amounts, currency, backers, dates, location, creator, and video URL. Query the source with project or discover URLs, search terms, a category, status, sort, pledged and goal bands, and a Projects We Love filter. Control volume with `maxItems`. Optional project-page fields and comments are stored on the same row. Retrieve records through the Apify Dataset API or export them as JSON, CSV, Excel, XML, or another supported format. The default charge is $0.001 per project, plus $0.001 per project when project-page fields are included, plus $0.001 per comment.

### Dataset at a glance

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | kickstarter.com |
| Record unit | One Kickstarter project |
| Input methods | Project or discover URLs, search queries, category, and filters |
| Main identifiers | `projectId`, `url` |
| Delivery | Apify Dataset and API. Run counts are also written to the key-value record `run-stats` |
| Export formats | JSON, CSV, Excel, XML, and other Apify dataset exports |
| Update model | Fresh records per Actor run |
| Pricing | Pay per event. `project` $0.001. `project-details` $0.001. `comment` $0.001 |

### Coverage and available records

A project URL returns that project. A discover or category URL uses the filters in the URL, and any filter the URL omits is taken from the input fields. Search queries are sent with the category and filters. With no search query, `category` browses that category. Category is ignored for a direct project URL.

`category` accepts `all` plus the ids in the input schema: Art, Crafts, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film & Video, Food, Games, Journalism, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater. `states` accepts `upcoming`, `live`, `late_pledge`, `successful`, `failed`, and `canceled`. The default is upcoming, live, and late pledge. `sort` accepts `magic` (Recommended), `popularity`, `newest`, `end_date`, `most_funded`, and `most_backed`.

`pledged` and `goal` use Kickstarter’s USD bands: any, under $1,000, $1,000 to $10,000, $10,000 to $100,000, $100,000 to $1,000,000, and $1,000,000 and up. The stored values are the codes `any`, `0`, `1`, `2`, `3`, and `4`. `staffPicks` keeps Projects We Love only.

`maxItems` of `0` means no project cap. `includeProjectDetails` adds story, risks, rewards, FAQs, creator biography, and community onto `projectDetails` and charges `project-details` once for that project. `includeComments` adds a `comments` array and charges `comment` once per comment, including replies. `maxComments` of `0` means no comment cap across the run. `detailConcurrency` is how many projects are enriched at once, from 1 to 25, default 5.

The Actor does not keep a historical pledge series. Dates on the record are the campaign timestamps returned for that run.

### Data dictionary

Deduplicate on `projectId`. Use `url` when the id is missing.

| Field | Type | Nullable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---:|---|---|
| projectId | number | yes | Kickstarter project id | `1448211351` |
| name | string | yes | Project name | `Desert Village - STL / 28MM` |
| blurb | string | yes | Short blurb | STL files for 3D printing |
| url | string | yes | Project URL | `https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infiniteprint3d/desert-village-stl-28mm` |
| imageUrl | string | yes | Project image URL | Image URL |
| state | string | yes | Campaign state | `live` |
| category | string | yes | Category name | `STL` |
| categoryId | number | yes | Category id | Numeric id |
| parentCategory | string | yes | Parent category name | `Games` |
| goal | number | yes | Funding goal in project currency | `100` |
| pledged | number | yes | Amount pledged in project currency | `146` |
| currency | string | yes | Currency code | `USD` |
| currencySymbol | string | yes | Currency symbol | `$` |
| usdPledged | number | yes | Pledged amount in USD | `146` |
| percentFunded | number | yes | Percent funded | `146` |
| backersCount | number | yes | Backer count | `4` |
| deadline | string | yes | Deadline as an ISO timestamp | `2026-10-23T14:58:37+00:00` |
| launchedAt | string | yes | Launch time as an ISO timestamp | ISO timestamp |
| createdAt | string | yes | Created time as an ISO timestamp | ISO timestamp |
| country | string | yes | Country display name | Country name |
| countryCode | string | yes | Country code | `US` |
| location | string | yes | Location display name | City or region |
| staffPick | boolean | no | Projects We Love flag | `false` |
| latePledge | boolean | no | Late-pledge phase flag | `false` |
| creatorName | string | yes | Creator name | `InfinitePrint 3D` |
| creatorId | number | yes | Creator id | Numeric id |
| creatorUrl | string | yes | Creator URL | Profile URL |
| videoUrl | string | yes | Video URL | Video URL |
| commentsCount | number | yes | Comment count. Filled when stats are loaded | `null` until then |
| sourceQuery | string | yes | Seed URL or search term that produced the row | `board game` |
| comments | array | no | Comment objects. Empty when comments are off | `[]` |
| projectDetails | object | no | Detail object. Empty when details are off | `{}` |

Comment objects, when `includeComments` is on:

| Field | Type | Nullable | Description |
|---|---|---:|---|
| commentId | string | yes | Comment id |
| body | string | no | Comment text. Empty string when the body is missing |
| authorName | string | yes | Author name |
| authorUrl | string | yes | Author URL |
| authorImageUrl | string | yes | Author image URL |
| authorBadges | array | no | Badge list. Empty when none |
| createdAt | string | yes | ISO timestamp |
| isReply | boolean | no | `true` for a reply |

`projectDetails` keys, when `includeProjectDetails` is on: `story`, `risks`, `faqs`, `rewards`, `aiDisclosure`, `environmentalCommitments`, `verifiedCreatorName`, `creatorBiography`, `creatorLocation`, `creatorWebsites`, `creatorJoinedOn`, `creatorLaunchedProjects`, `creatorBackingsCount`, `creatorImageUrl`, `collaborators`, and `community`. Missing sections are empty lists or nulls. `community` can include `backersCount`, `topCities`, `topCountries`, `newBackers`, and `returningBackers`. Community location lists are empty when Kickstarter does not show them.

### Example dataset record

This project row is from a search for `board game` with details and comments off. Long text is shortened in `blurb`. Nested enrichment is empty because those inputs were off.

```json
{
  "projectId": 1448211351,
  "name": "Desert Village - STL / 28MM",
  "blurb": "STL files for 3D printing, landscape for board games",
  "url": "https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infiniteprint3d/desert-village-stl-28mm",
  "state": "live",
  "category": "STL",
  "parentCategory": "Games",
  "goal": 100,
  "pledged": 146,
  "currency": "USD",
  "usdPledged": 146,
  "percentFunded": 146,
  "backersCount": 4,
  "deadline": "2026-10-23T14:58:37+00:00",
  "creatorName": "InfinitePrint 3D",
  "sourceQuery": "board game",
  "commentsCount": null,
  "comments": [],
  "projectDetails": {}
}
```

### Query and input reference

| Input | Type | Required | Default | Accepted values | Description |
|---|---|---:|---|---|---|
| startUrls | array | no | none | Project or discover URLs | A project URL returns that project. A discover URL supplies filters |
| searchQueries | array of string | no | none | Search terms | Each term uses the category and filters |
| category | string | no | `all` | `all`, `1`, `26`, `3`, `6`, `7`, `9`, `11`, `10`, `12`, `13`, `14`, `15`, `18`, `16`, `17` | All, Art, Crafts, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film & Video, Food, Games, Journalism, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, Theater |
| states | array of string | no | upcoming, live, late_pledge | upcoming, live, late_pledge, successful, failed, canceled | Campaign statuses |
| sort | string | no | `magic` | magic, popularity, newest, end_date, most_funded, most_backed | Result order |
| pledged | string | no | `any` | any, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 | USD pledged bands listed above |
| goal | string | no | `any` | any, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 | USD goal bands listed above |
| staffPicks | boolean | no | `false` | `true`, `false` | Projects We Love only |
| maxItems | integer | no | `0` | 0 or more | Project cap. `0` means no cap |
| includeProjectDetails | boolean | no | `false` | `true`, `false` | Add `projectDetails` and charge `project-details` |
| includeComments | boolean | no | `false` | `true`, `false` | Add `comments` and charge `comment` per comment |
| maxComments | integer | no | `0` | 0 or more | Comment cap across the run. `0` means no cap |
| detailConcurrency | integer | no | `5` | 1–25 | Projects enriched at once |
| proxyConfiguration | object | no | Apify residential proxy | Apify proxy object | Proxy selection |

Minimal request:

```json
{
  "searchQueries": ["board game"],
  "maxItems": 20
}
```

Advanced request:

```json
{
  "startUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology"
    }
  ],
  "states": ["live"],
  "sort": "most_funded",
  "includeProjectDetails": true,
  "includeComments": true,
  "maxComments": 50,
  "maxItems": 25
}
```

### Retrieve the data through the API

1. Start `datascrapers/kickstarter-scraper` with the JSON input.
2. Wait until the run finishes.
3. Read items from the run’s default dataset. One item is one project.
4. Read `run-stats` for project, detail, and comment counts.

```bash
curl "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/datascrapers~kickstarter-scraper/runs?token=$APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"searchQueries":["board game"],"maxItems":20}'
```

```bash
curl "https://api.apify.com/v2/datasets/$DATASET_ID/items?clean=true&format=json&token=$APIFY_TOKEN"
```

Other languages are on the Actor’s API tab: https://apify.com/datascrapers/kickstarter-scraper

### Data quality and record handling

`comments` is always an array and `projectDetails` is always an object. Both stay empty when the matching input is false. `commentsCount` stays null until project stats are loaded. Community maps inside `projectDetails` can be empty for small campaigns.

Comments are nested on the project row. They are not separate dataset items. The `comment` charge still applies once per comment that is kept. If the comment charge limit is reached, the stored `comments` array is cut to the charged count.

The Actor does not deduplicate across runs. Use `projectId`. `maxItems` of 0 does not cap projects. Dates are ISO-8601 strings. Amounts are numbers in the project currency, with `usdPledged` in USD.

The default proxy is Apify residential. Discover and project pages can fail on datacenter addresses.

`run-stats` includes project, project-detail, and comment counts for the run.

### Export and pipeline examples

| Destination | Recommended method | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL or Supabase | Dataset API or a webhook consumer | Upsert projects on `projectId` and store `comments` as JSON |
| Google Sheets | Apify integration | Track name, pledged amount, and URL |
| S3 or other cloud storage | Scheduled dataset export | Archive one file per category or query |
| Warehouse | JSON items | Flatten `projectDetails.rewards` in a later step |

Schedule one run per `searchQueries` entry when each term should have its own dataset. A shared run puts every term in `sourceQuery` on the same dataset.

### Pricing and cost examples

Billing is pay per event. The same prices apply to Free, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

| Event | Price on every plan | When it is charged |
|---|---:|---|
| project | $0.001 | One project row. This is the primary event |
| project-details | $0.001 | Once when project-page fields are added for that project |
| comment | $0.001 | Once per comment or reply kept on the row |

| Projects | Details | Comments | Estimated event cost |
|---:|---|---:|---:|
| 1,000 | off | 0 | $1.00 |
| 1,000 | on | 0 | $2.00 |
| 1,000 | off | 5,000 | $6.00 |

These are the default prices set for this account. They are placeholders and can be changed in the Actor pricing settings. Estimates do not include Apify platform usage, which is billed to the user in addition to event charges.

### Limitations and responsible data use

The Actor returns publicly available Kickstarter project fields for the URLs and queries you submit. It does not guarantee every category, ended campaign, or comment. Rewards, FAQs, and community lists are conditional. Comment text is user-generated content.

Each run is a current snapshot of funding and status. It is not a stored pledge history. You are responsible for complying with privacy, contractual, and legal requirements for the records you collect and store.

### Dataset questions

#### What does one dataset item represent?

One Kickstarter project. Comments and project-page fields are nested on that same item when you enable them.

#### Which field should I use as a unique identifier?

Use `projectId`. Use `url` if the id is missing. Do not deduplicate on comment id across projects unless you flatten comments yourself.

#### Are fields nullable or conditional?

Yes. Image, video, location, and comment count can be null. `projectDetails` is empty until `includeProjectDetails` is true. `comments` is empty until `includeComments` is true.

#### Can I retrieve the records as CSV or JSON?

Yes. JSON keeps nested comments and project details. CSV flattens nested objects, so use JSON when you need rewards or comments.

#### How do I paginate large datasets?

Set `maxItems` and `maxComments` above 0 to cap a run. Page the dataset afterward with `offset` and `limit`.

#### Does the Actor return historical data?

No. Goal, pledged amount, and state are the values available at run time.

#### What counts as a billable result?

Each project charges one `project` event at $0.001. Project-page fields add one `project-details` event. Each kept comment adds one `comment` event. Platform usage is separate.

### Related datasets from Data Scrapers

- [AppSumo Scraper](https://apify.com/datascrapers/appsumo-scraper) covers software deals that can sit beside a product-launch list.
- [Etsy Scraper](https://apify.com/datascrapers/etsy-scraper) covers product listings for campaigns that also sell on Etsy.
- [Zapier Apps Scraper](https://apify.com/datascrapers/zapier-apps-scraper) covers software app records that can be matched to a creator or product name.
- [YouTube Channel Scraper](https://apify.com/datascrapers/youtube-channel-scraper) covers channel records when the workflow includes creator video presence.

### Data Scrapers support

Need an additional field, record type, or export workflow? Contact Data Scrapers at stardustspotlight@gmail.com. Include a sample source URL, required fields, expected record volume, and preferred delivery format.

# Actor input Schema

## `startUrls` (type: `array`):

Project URLs or discover URLs copied from the browser, for example https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology or https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/147449099/tooldance-x1-smart-desktop-cnc-with-industrial-capability. A project URL scrapes that project. A discover or category URL uses the filters in the URL, and any filter the URL omits is taken from the fields below.

## `searchQueries` (type: `array`):

Search terms, such as board game or mechanical keyboard. Each query is searched with the category and filters below.

## `category` (type: `string`):

Kickstarter category. Applied to search queries. Also used on its own to browse that category when no search query is set. Ignored for project URLs.

## `states` (type: `array`):

Which campaign statuses to include. The category pages on Kickstarter start with Upcoming, Live, and Late pledge.

## `sort` (type: `string`):

How discover results are ordered.

## `pledged` (type: `string`):

Filter by the amount pledged in USD.

## `goal` (type: `string`):

Filter by the project funding goal in USD.

## `staffPicks` (type: `boolean`):

Keep only projects marked as Projects We Love.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of projects to extract. 0 means no limit. Comments have their own cap.

## `includeProjectDetails` (type: `boolean`):

Also extract the story, risks, rewards, FAQs, creator, and community for each project. Charged separately from the project. Off by default.

## `includeComments` (type: `boolean`):

Extract comments and replies. Each comment is charged separately. Off by default.

## `maxComments` (type: `integer`):

Maximum comments to extract across the whole run when comments are enabled. 0 means no limit.

## `detailConcurrency` (type: `integer`):

How many projects to enrich at once when project details or comments are enabled. Each project uses its own proxy session.

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

Proxy used for discover and for project pages. Residential proxies are recommended.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "startUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology"
    }
  ],
  "searchQueries": [
    "board game"
  ],
  "category": "all",
  "states": [
    "upcoming",
    "live",
    "late_pledge"
  ],
  "sort": "magic",
  "pledged": "any",
  "goal": "any",
  "staffPicks": false,
  "maxItems": 100,
  "includeProjectDetails": false,
  "includeComments": false,
  "maxComments": 50,
  "detailConcurrency": 5,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

One JSON object per project, including a comments list and a projectDetails object.

## `runStats` (type: `string`):

Counts and timestamps for this run.

# 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 = {
    "startUrls": [
        {
            "url": "https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology"
        }
    ],
    "searchQueries": [
        "board game"
    ],
    "maxItems": 100,
    "includeProjectDetails": false,
    "includeComments": false,
    "maxComments": 50,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true,
        "apifyProxyGroups": [
            "RESIDENTIAL"
        ]
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("datascrapers/kickstarter-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 = {
    "startUrls": [{ "url": "https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology" }],
    "searchQueries": ["board game"],
    "maxItems": 100,
    "includeProjectDetails": False,
    "includeComments": False,
    "maxComments": 50,
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": True,
        "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("datascrapers/kickstarter-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 '{
  "startUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/technology"
    }
  ],
  "searchQueries": [
    "board game"
  ],
  "maxItems": 100,
  "includeProjectDetails": false,
  "includeComments": false,
  "maxComments": 50,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}' |
apify call datascrapers/kickstarter-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,datascrapers/kickstarter-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/8TzEL7QEUKKHWh0KW/builds/Rg686zWkERnYfE8sm/openapi.json