README.md

Decatur Community URLs Scraper

Introduction

The Decatur Community URLs Scraper is an efficient tool designed to extract community-related listings from Craigslist based on your specified search query. This actor simplifies data collection, enabling you to gather valuable insights and information for various applications.

Features

• Customizable Search: Tailor searches with specific queries.
• Flexible Data Extraction: Scrape up to 500 listings or more if needed.
• Proxy Support: Use proxies to enhance anonymity and access.
• High-Quality Output: Reliable data structure for easy integration.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple configuration on the Apify platform.

Input Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description	Example
query	string	No	Search term to look up on Craigslist.	"im"
maxItems	integer	No	Maximum number of listings to scrape (0 = unlimited).	500
proxyConfiguration	object	No	Proxy settings, including the option to use Apify Proxy.	{ "useApifyProxy": false }

Example Usage

Input JSON

{
  "query": "im",
  "maxItems": 500,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}

Output JSON

[
  {
    "postingId": 1603332,
    "title": "Still needing a lawn mower so i can make money",
    "priceCents": -1,
    "priceDisplay": null,
    "url": "https://www.craigslist.org/view/d/rosamond-still-needing-lawn-mower-so/5r3QEWF2Le5BBXRHfWZ1k4",
    "images": null,
    "imageIds": null,
    "hasImages": false,
    "hasMap": true,
    "location": "1:1~39.3535~-89.1847",
    "latitude": 39.3535,
    "longitude": -89.1847,
    "repostToken": "5r3QEWF2Le5BBXRHfWZ1k4",
    "bundleGroup": null,
    "org": null,
    "categoryLabel": null,
    "searchQuery": "im",
    "searchPath": "ccc",
    "scrapedAt": "2026-07-15T07:33:13.163Z"
  }
]

Use Cases

• Market Research and Analysis: Gather data to understand market trends.
• Competitive Intelligence: Monitor competitors' activities on Craigslist.
• Price Monitoring: Track pricing for various items or services.
• Content Aggregation: Collect community posts for content creation.
• Academic Research: Analyze social and economic patterns in communities.
• Business Automation: Automate data collection processes for efficiency.

Installation and Usage

1. Search for "Decatur Community URLs Scraper" in the Apify Store.
2. Click "Try for free" or "Run".
3. Configure input parameters as needed.
4. Click "Start" to begin extraction.
5. Monitor progress in the log.
6. Export results in your preferred format (JSON, CSV, Excel).

Output Format

The output is a JSON array of objects, each representing a listing with fields such as postingId, title, priceCents, url, and geographical data like latitude and longitude. This structured format ensures easy integration into various applications.

Error Handling Information

• Invalid Input: The actor will log errors if input parameters are invalid.
• Network Issues: Proxy configurations can help mitigate network-related issues.
• Rate Limiting: Ensure compliance with Craigslist's terms to avoid IP bans.

Rate Limiting and Best Practices

• Use proxy settings to distribute requests and prevent rate limiting.
• Respect Craigslist’s terms of service to maintain access.
• Monitor logs for any errors or warnings during execution.

Limitations and Considerations

• The actor is designed specifically for Craigslist, so it may not work with other platforms.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements when scraping data.
• Proxy settings are optional but recommended for large-scale operations.

Support

For custom/simplified outputs or bug reports, please contact:

• Email: support@getdataforme.com
• Subject line: "custom support"
• Contact form: Contact Us

We're here to help you get the most out of this Actor!

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Description

Maximize your data collection with the Decatur Community URLs Scraper. Tailor searches on Craigslist, extract up to 500 listings, and use proxy settings for enhanced access. Ideal for market research, competitive intelligence, and business automation. Start scraping today!