# Chrome Web Store Scraper - Extensions & Developer Emails (`lsdflying/chrome-web-store-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Chrome Web Store extensions by keyword, category or URL: users, ratings, reviews count, version, last update, permissions, website plus developer email, address & phone. Fast, no browser, export JSON/CSV/Excel.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/lsdflying/chrome-web-store-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Liang Undef](https://apify.com/lsdflying) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation, Developer tools, Marketing
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

Pay per event

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

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

## Chrome Web Store Scraper – Extensions, Users, Ratings & Developer Emails

**Chrome Web Store Scraper** extracts public data about Google Chrome extensions from [chromewebstore.google.com](https://chromewebstore.google.com): name, **number of users**, **rating and rating count**, category, **version and last update date**, size, languages, **permissions**, website, support and privacy-policy links — plus the **developer's published contact details (email, phone, address, legal name)**.

Search by keyword, paste category/search/extension URLs, or give extension IDs. It runs on plain HTTP requests (no headless browser), so it is **fast and cheap**: ~20 extensions in under a minute.

### What can you use it for?

- 📈 **Market research** – find every extension in a niche (VPN, AI writing, CRM, coupons…) and rank them by users and ratings.
- 🎯 **B2B lead generation** – collect developer emails, phones and company names of extension publishers (use *Only extensions with developer email*).
- 🕵️ **Competitor monitoring** – track users, rating, version and update frequency of competing extensions on a schedule.
- 🔐 **Security & compliance audits** – list requested permissions and host permissions, manifest version (MV2/MV3), and privacy-policy URLs.
- 💡 **Product ideas** – spot popular-but-poorly-rated or abandoned extensions (old `lastUpdated`) to build a better alternative.

### How it works

1. Each **search keyword** opens the store search page and collects the top results.
2. Every extension detail page is scraped for full data.
3. With **Follow related extensions** enabled (default), the "Related" extensions on each page are queued too, so one keyword can discover hundreds of extensions in the same niche.
4. Scraping stops at **Max results**.

### Input

| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `searchQueries` | array | Keywords to search, e.g. `["vpn", "ai writing"]` |
| `startUrls` | array | Extension, search or category URLs from chromewebstore.google.com |
| `extensionIds` | array | 32-char extension IDs |
| `maxItems` | integer | Max extensions to save (default 20) |
| `followRelated` | boolean | Discover related extensions (default true) |
| `minUsers` | integer | Skip extensions with fewer users |
| `onlyWithEmail` | boolean | Save only extensions with a public developer email |
| `includeManifest` | boolean | Add the full `manifest.json` |
| `language` | string | Store language (`hl`), default `en` |

Example:

```json
{
  "searchQueries": ["vpn", "password manager"],
  "startUrls": [{ "url": "https://chromewebstore.google.com/category/extensions/productivity/tools" }],
  "maxItems": 200,
  "followRelated": true,
  "minUsers": 10000,
  "onlyWithEmail": true
}
```

### Output

Each extension is one dataset item. Export as JSON, CSV, Excel, XML or via API. Sample:

```json
{
  "id": "majdfhpaihoncoakbjgbdhglocklcgno",
  "name": "Free VPN for Chrome - VPN Proxy VeePN",
  "url": "https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/free-vpn-for-chrome-vpn-p/majdfhpaihoncoakbjgbdhglocklcgno",
  "shortDescription": "Fast, ultra secure, and easy to use VPN service to protect your privacy online. Enjoy Unlimited Traffic and Bandwidth!",
  "description": "VeePN: unblock access to websites. Enjoy your favorite services, media, and games fast and safe, no matter where you are! \n\nGet the VeePN FREE VPN Chrome extens...",
  "rating": 4.47,
  "ratingCount": 53462,
  "users": 15000000,
  "category": "productivity/workflow",
  "version": "5.0.3",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-10-07T11:46:19.000Z",
  "size": "2.33MiB",
  "languages": [
    "Deutsch",
    "English",
    "Filipino",
    "Indonesia",
    "Kiswahili"
  ],
  "website": "veepn.com",
  "supportUrl": "https://support.veepn.com/",
  "privacyPolicyUrl": "https://veepn.com/privacy-policy/",
  "developerName": "www.veepn.com",
  "developerLegalName": "Olena Blan",
  "developerEmail": "support@veepn.com",
  "developerAddress": null,
  "developerPhone": null,
  "isTrader": false,
  "minChromeVersion": "109",
  "manifestVersion": 3,
  "permissions": [
    "storage",
    "proxy",
    "tabs",
    "cookies",
    "notifications",
    "webRequest"
  ],
  "hostPermissions": [
    "<all_urls>"
  ],
  "optionalPermissions": [],
  "iconUrl": "https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Rm5hcKXvm9Prc-vyHzNGRpRVPxZAKQiiKPDNWW4Sn-MOm_-TxDOcKqNDpHUOYZBVidpnqWt22Wjwz9vtgW8nq-9Mrw",
  "screenshots": [
    "https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QayKL8hmZwWULuom7g6ZbmP59tTfZC8OXs8ugn-VlOclhDqOlRx2dhG7ECtP1nU7AhkMRSwkDxs39xJ4TTwIPmIsGA"
  ],
  "relatedExtensionIds": [
    "fcfhplploccackoneaefokcmbjfbkenj",
    "jajilbjjinjmgcibalaakngmkilboobh",
    "jaoafpkngncfpfggjefnekilbkcpjdgp"
  ],
  "scrapedAt": "2026-10-26T14:18:30.700Z"
}
```

The dataset has two ready-made views: **Overview** and **Developer contacts**.

### Pricing

Pay per result: **$0.002 per extension saved** ($2 per 1,000) plus a tiny $0.00005 start fee per run. No monthly rental, no proxy costs for typical runs. See the *Pricing* tab for current prices. Apify's free plan credit is enough to scrape thousands of extensions.

### FAQ

**Is scraping the Chrome Web Store legal?**
The Actor only reads publicly available pages, without logging in. Developer contact details are published by Google for EU trader transparency. You are responsible for using the data in line with GDPR/CAN-SPAM and the store's terms – e.g. don't spam.

**Why do some extensions have no email/phone?**
Only developers who declared themselves as *traders* or provided a contact email have those fields. Use `onlyWithEmail` to keep just those.

**How many results can I get from one keyword?**
The search page shows the top results; with *Follow related extensions* on, the Actor keeps discovering similar extensions until `maxItems` is reached. Add more keywords or category URLs for broader coverage.

**Does it scrape reviews?**
Not yet – it returns the rating and rating count. Open an issue if you need full review text.

**Do I need a proxy?**
Usually no. If you scrape large volumes and see failures, enable Apify Proxy in the input.

**Something broke?**
Open an issue in the *Issues* tab – we usually fix store layout changes within a day.

# Actor input Schema

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

Keywords to search in the Chrome Web Store (e.g. "vpn", "ai writing", "crm"). Each search returns the top extensions; enable "Follow related extensions" to discover more.

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

Extension detail pages, search pages or category pages from chromewebstore.google.com.

## `extensionIds` (type: `array`):

32-character extension IDs, e.g. ddkjiahejlhfcafbddmgiahcphecmpfh.

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

Maximum number of extensions to save.

## `followRelated` (type: `boolean`):

Also scrape the "Related" extensions shown on each page. Great for discovering many more extensions in a niche.

## `minUsers` (type: `integer`):

Skip extensions with fewer users than this.

## `onlyWithEmail` (type: `boolean`):

Save only extensions whose developer published a contact email (lead generation mode).

## `includeManifest` (type: `boolean`):

Add the full parsed manifest.json of each extension to the output.

## `language` (type: `string`):

Store interface language code, e.g. en, de, fr, ja.

## `maxConcurrency` (type: `integer`):

Parallel requests. Keep low to be polite to the store.

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

Optional. Usually not needed.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "searchQueries": [
    "vpn"
  ],
  "startUrls": [],
  "extensionIds": [],
  "maxItems": 20,
  "followRelated": true,
  "minUsers": 0,
  "onlyWithEmail": false,
  "includeManifest": false,
  "language": "en",
  "maxConcurrency": 3,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

No description

## `contacts` (type: `string`):

No description

## `allData` (type: `string`):

No description

# 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 = {
    "searchQueries": [
        "vpn"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("lsdflying/chrome-web-store-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 = { "searchQueries": ["vpn"] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("lsdflying/chrome-web-store-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 '{
  "searchQueries": [
    "vpn"
  ]
}' |
apify call lsdflying/chrome-web-store-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,lsdflying/chrome-web-store-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/1hUmO99l3oIhglyzq/builds/LRAUqpFf617PRMy9e/openapi.json