# Instagram Reels Scraper — Profiles, Hashtags & Keywords (`khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper`) Actor Scrape Instagram Reels from profiles, hashtags, or direct URLs. Extract caption, likes, views, plays, comments, duration, video URL, audio, hashtags, and more. No login required. Export data, schedule runs, and integrate with AI workflows. - **URL**: https://apify.com/khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Khadin Akbar](https://apify.com/khadinakbar) (community) - **Categories:** Social media, Agents, Integrations - **Stats:** 4 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $1.50 / 1,000 reel extracteds This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage. 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 Reels Scraper — Profiles, Hashtags & Keywords Scrape Instagram Reels from **any profile**, **hashtag**, or **direct reel URL** — all in one actor. No login required. Get engagement metrics, captions, hashtags, mentions, video URLs, audio details, and more. Export to JSON, CSV, or Excel and integrate with AI pipelines, CRM workflows, or content tools. > **42% cheaper** than Apify's official Reel Scraper at the FREE tier — with all core metadata included at a flat price, no confusing add-ons. Export scraped data, run the scraper via API, schedule and monitor runs, or integrate with other tools or AI workflows. --- ### What This Scraper Extracts Every reel record includes: - **Reel metadata** — ID, shortcode URL, post timestamp - **Engagement metrics** — likes, comments, views, plays - **Caption & text** — full caption, extracted hashtag list, @mentions list - **Media** — direct video URL (CDN), cover thumbnail URL - **Audio** — track title and artist (or "Original Audio" for custom audio) - **Creator info** — username, display name, profile URL, follower count - **Content flags** — is_sponsored (paid partnership), is_pinned - **Timestamps** — posted_at (original post date), scraped_at --- ### Use Cases - **Influencer research** — analyse engagement and content strategy across dozens of creators in minutes - **Competitor monitoring** — track a competitor's Reels output: frequency, hashtags, viral content - **Hashtag trend analysis** — discover what content is performing on a given hashtag - **Content research** — build datasets for AI training, social listening, or market research - **Campaign tracking** — monitor branded hashtag performance over time - **Lead generation** — identify active creators in a niche by hashtag + engagement metrics --- ### Inputs | Field | Type | Description | Default | |-------|------|-------------|---------| | `usernames` | string[] | Instagram usernames or profile URLs (e.g. `natgeo` or `https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/`) | — | | `hashtags` | string[] | Hashtags without the ## (e.g. `travel`, `fitness`) | — | | `directUrls` | URL[] | Specific reel URLs (e.g. `https://www.instagram.com/reel/ABC123/`) | — | | `maxReelsPerSource` | integer | Max reels to collect per username, hashtag, or URL | `20` | | `onlyReelsNewerThan` | string | Date filter — skip reels older than this date (e.g. `2025-01-01`, `30 days`, `2 weeks`) | — | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | Proxy settings — defaults to Apify datacenter | Datacenter | You only need to fill in **one** of `usernames`, `hashtags`, or `directUrls`. --- ### Output Example ```json { "reel_id": "C5Rdyj_q7YN", "reel_url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5Rdyj_q7YN/", "username": "natgeo", "display_name": "National Geographic", "profile_url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/", "follower_count": 280000000, "caption": "Deep in the Amazon rainforest 🌿 #nature #wildlife", "hashtags": ["nature", "wildlife"], "mentions": [], "likes_count": 45200, "comments_count": 312, "views_count": 890000, "plays_count": 920000, "duration_seconds": 28.5, "video_url": "https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/...", "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/...", "audio_title": "Original Audio", "audio_artist": "natgeo", "is_sponsored": false, "is_pinned": false, "posted_at": "2025-03-12T14:22:00.000Z", "scraped_at": "2026-04-03T10:00:00.000Z", "source_url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/reels/" } ```` *** ### Pricing This actor uses **pay-per-event pricing**: you are charged only for reels actually scraped. | Volume | Price (FREE tier) | Price (GOLD tier) | |--------|------------------|-------------------| | 100 reels | $0.15 | $0.10 | | 500 reels | $0.75 | $0.50 | | 1,000 reels | $1.50 | $1.00 | | 5,000 reels | $7.50 | $5.00 | Upgrade to a higher Apify plan for discounted per-reel pricing. Compared to the official Apify Reel Scraper ($0.0026/reel at FREE) — this actor is **42% cheaper at the same tier**, with all engagement data included at no extra cost. *** ### Running via API ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; const client = new ApifyClient({ token: 'YOUR_API_TOKEN' }); const run = await client.actor('khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper').call({ usernames: ['natgeo', 'nasa'], maxReelsPerSource: 50, }); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); console.log(items); ``` ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient client = ApifyClient("YOUR_API_TOKEN") run = client.actor("khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper").call(run_input={ "hashtags": ["travel", "adventure"], "maxReelsPerSource": 30, "onlyReelsNewerThan": "2025-01-01", }) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) ``` *** ### How It Works This actor uses a **browser-based response interception** approach — it opens Instagram in a real Chromium browser, waits for Instagram's internal API calls to fire naturally, and captures the structured JSON data directly from those responses. This approach: - Avoids brittle CSS selector scraping (no breakage when Instagram redesigns) - Gets the same structured data Instagram's own app receives - Works without login for public profiles and hashtags - Handles Instagram's GraphQL and REST API formats automatically *** ### Tips & Best Practices - **Profiles with many reels**: set `maxReelsPerSource` to 100+ and the actor will scroll and paginate automatically. - **Hashtag research**: start with 3–5 hashtags and `maxReelsPerSource: 50` to quickly benchmark content. - **Date filtering**: use `onlyReelsNewerThan: "30 days"` to only get recent content. - **Rate limits**: if you encounter blocks, switch proxy to `RESIDENTIAL` in the proxy settings. - **Video URLs expire**: Instagram CDN video URLs expire after a few hours. If you need to store videos, download them soon after scraping. *** ### FAQ **Does this require Instagram login?** No. This actor scrapes publicly visible Reels without any Instagram account or cookies. **Can I scrape private accounts?** No. Only public profiles and hashtags are accessible without login. **Why are some fields null?** Instagram's API doesn't always return all fields for every reel. Missing values are set to `null` rather than being omitted, so every record has a consistent structure. **The video URL expired — what do I do?** Re-run the actor on the same reel URL to get a fresh CDN link. CDN URLs are valid for a few hours. **Can I export to Google Sheets?** Yes — in the Apify Console, after a run completes, open the Dataset tab and click Export → CSV, then import into Google Sheets. **Is this actor maintained?** Yes. Issues are addressed within 48 hours. If Instagram updates their API, the actor is updated accordingly. *** ### Works Great With - **Instagram Comments Scraper** — pull comments for any reel URL you collect with this actor - **Instagram Profile Scraper** — get full profile metadata for creators you discover - **Email Extractor** — enrich creator data with contact info for outreach *** ### Support Found a bug or have a feature request? Leave a review or open an issue on this actor's page. All feedback is responded to within 48 hours. # Actor input Schema ## `usernames` (type: `array`): Use this when you have an Instagram username or profile URL. Accepted formats: 'natgeo', 'https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/'. Use directUrls instead when you have a specific reel link. Use hashtags when you want reels for a topic. ## `hashtags` (type: `array`): Use this when the user mentions a topic or hashtag (e.g. 'travel', '#fitness'). Do NOT include the # symbol — just the word. Use usernames instead when the user names a specific account. ## `directUrls` (type: `array`): Use this when the user provides a specific Instagram reel link, e.g. 'https://www.instagram.com/reel/ABC123/'. Use usernames or hashtags instead when the user mentions an account or topic. ## `maxReelsPerSource` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of reels to collect per username, hashtag, or URL. Default is 20. Increase for bulk research, decrease for quick checks. ## `onlyReelsNewerThan` (type: `string`): Optional date filter. Skips reels older than this date. Accepted formats: 'YYYY-MM-DD' (e.g. '2025-01-01'), ISO timestamp, or relative strings like '30 days', '2 weeks', '3 months'. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Override the default proxy. Leave empty to use built-in Webshare rotating residential proxies (recommended for Instagram). Provide a custom proxy URL or Apify proxy group only if you have your own proxy setup. ## Actor input object example ```json { "usernames": [ "natgeo" ], "maxReelsPerSource": 20 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): Dataset containing all scraped Instagram Reels records with engagement metrics, caption data, and media URLs. # 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": [ "natgeo" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("khadinakbar/instagram-reels-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 '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "usernames": ["natgeo"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper").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": [ "natgeo" ] }' | apify call khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=khadinakbar/instagram-reels-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Instagram Reels Scraper — Profiles, Hashtags & Keywords", "description": "Scrape Instagram Reels from profiles, hashtags, or direct URLs. Extract caption, likes, views, plays, comments, duration, video URL, audio, hashtags, and more. No login required. Export data, schedule runs, and integrate with AI workflows.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "qjjjZ6EgLhqUqHOXA" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/khadinakbar~instagram-reels-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-khadinakbar-instagram-reels-scraper", "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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/khadinakbar~instagram-reels-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-khadinakbar-instagram-reels-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/khadinakbar~instagram-reels-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-khadinakbar-instagram-reels-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "usernames": { "title": "Instagram Usernames or Profile URLs", "type": "array", "description": "Use this when you have an Instagram username or profile URL. Accepted formats: 'natgeo', 'https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/'. Use directUrls instead when you have a specific reel link. Use hashtags when you want reels for a topic.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "hashtags": { "title": "Hashtags", "type": "array", "description": "Use this when the user mentions a topic or hashtag (e.g. 'travel', '#fitness'). Do NOT include the # symbol — just the word. Use usernames instead when the user names a specific account.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "directUrls": { "title": "Direct Reel URLs", "type": "array", "description": "Use this when the user provides a specific Instagram reel link, e.g. 'https://www.instagram.com/reel/ABC123/'. Use usernames or hashtags instead when the user mentions an account or topic.", "items": { "type": "object", "required": [ "url" ], "properties": { "url": { "type": "string", "title": "URL of a web page", "format": "uri" } } } }, "maxReelsPerSource": { "title": "Max Reels Per Source", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 500, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of reels to collect per username, hashtag, or URL. Default is 20. Increase for bulk research, decrease for quick checks.", "default": 20 }, "onlyReelsNewerThan": { "title": "Only Reels Newer Than", "type": "string", "description": "Optional date filter. Skips reels older than this date. Accepted formats: 'YYYY-MM-DD' (e.g. '2025-01-01'), ISO timestamp, or relative strings like '30 days', '2 weeks', '3 months'." }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Override the default proxy. Leave empty to use built-in Webshare rotating residential proxies (recommended for Instagram). Provide a custom proxy URL or Apify proxy group only if you have your own proxy setup." } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```