# Instagram Username Availability Checker + Profile Intel (`goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker`) Actor Bulk-check whether Instagram usernames are available or taken, and get full profile details on every taken handle. No login. - **URL**: https://apify.com/goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker.md - **Developed by:** [Goutam Soni](https://apify.com/goat255) (community) - **Categories:** Social media, Lead generation - **Stats:** 6 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $3.00 / 1,000 username checkeds 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/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.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/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 Username Availability Checker + Profile Intel Check whether Instagram usernames are **available or taken**, in bulk, with no login or account required, and get the **full public profile** of every handle that is already taken in the same run. Most availability checkers only tell you yes or no. This one also hands you the account behind every taken handle (followers, verification, category and more), so a single run doubles as lightweight profile research. ### What you get - **Bulk checks.** Paste a list of handles (or send a JSON array via the API) and get a clean row per username. - **Definitive verdict.** Each handle comes back as `available: true` or `available: false`, resolved accurately, never a false "available". - **Profile enrichment on taken handles.** For any handle that is taken, you also receive follower count, following, post count, full name, verified status, private/business flags, category, avatar and website. - **You only pay for real answers.** If a handle can't be resolved on a run, that row is returned as `unknown` and is **not billed**. ### Input | Field | Description | |---|---| | `usernames` | The handles to check, with or without `@`. One per line in the console, or a JSON array via the API. Duplicates are removed. | | `proxyConfiguration` | Proxy settings. Residential proxies are strongly recommended and used by default. | | `maxConcurrency` | How many handles to check in parallel (default 8). | ```json { "usernames": ["mybrandname", "example_handle_9f3x2", "another_idea"], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"] } } ```` ### Output One dataset row per username. Available handles are compact; taken handles carry the profile. ```json { "username": "example_handle_9f3x2", "available": true, "taken": false, "checked_at": "2026-07-12T09:00:00.000Z" } ``` ```json { "username": "mybrandname", "available": false, "taken": true, "full_name": "My Brand", "followers": 48213, "following": 312, "posts": 190, "is_verified": true, "is_private": false, "is_business": true, "category": "Retail company", "external_url": "https://example.com", "profile_pic": "https://.../avatar.jpg", "checked_at": "2026-07-12T09:00:00.000Z" } ``` Export as JSON, CSV, Excel or HTML from the dataset. ### Use cases - **Claim a new handle** for a brand, campaign or personal account, checking dozens of ideas at once. - **Handle acquisition research**, see who currently holds a taken handle and how active they are. - **Lead generation and prospecting**, turn a list of handles into follower counts and verification status. - **Brand and impersonation monitoring**, watch a set of look-alike handles for changes. ### Pricing Pay per result: **$0.003 per definitive check** (about **$3 per 1,000 handles**). No monthly rental, no per-run start fee. Unknown/rate-limited rows are free. ### Notes - Availability is a point-in-time snapshot; an available handle can be claimed by someone else moments later. - A single fixed IP is throttled after roughly 25-30 checks, which is why residential proxy rotation is the default and recommended setting for larger lists. **Found this useful?** [Leave a quick review](https://apify.com/goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker/reviews). It takes a few seconds and it genuinely helps other people find the actor. # Actor input Schema ## `usernames` (type: `array`): Instagram handles to check, with or without the @. Paste one per line, or pass a JSON array via the API. Duplicates are removed automatically. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Residential proxies are strongly recommended. A single fixed IP is throttled after ~25-30 checks, rotation is what keeps a large run accurate. ## `maxConcurrency` (type: `integer`): How many handles to check at once. Higher is faster; lower is gentler on rate limits. ## Actor input object example ```json { "usernames": [ "instagram", "mybrandname" ], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] }, "maxConcurrency": 8 } ``` # 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 = { "usernames": [ "nasa", "available_handle_9f3x2" ], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker").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 = { "usernames": [ "nasa", "available_handle_9f3x2", ], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": True, "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"], }, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker").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 '{ "usernames": [ "nasa", "available_handle_9f3x2" ], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } }' | apify call goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=goat255/instagram-username-availability-checker", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Instagram Username Availability Checker + Profile Intel", "description": "Bulk-check whether Instagram usernames are available or taken, and get full profile details on every taken handle. No login.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "vQ2oEEyvyaYeUiB7d" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/goat255~instagram-username-availability-checker/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-goat255-instagram-username-availability-checker", "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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/goat255~instagram-username-availability-checker/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-goat255-instagram-username-availability-checker", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/goat255~instagram-username-availability-checker/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-goat255-instagram-username-availability-checker", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": [ "usernames" ], "properties": { "usernames": { "title": "Usernames to check", "type": "array", "description": "Instagram handles to check, with or without the @. Paste one per line, or pass a JSON array via the API. Duplicates are removed automatically.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Residential proxies are strongly recommended. A single fixed IP is throttled after ~25-30 checks, rotation is what keeps a large run accurate.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } }, "maxConcurrency": { "title": "Max concurrency", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 30, "type": "integer", "description": "How many handles to check at once. Higher is faster; lower is gentler on rate limits.", "default": 8 } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```