# Stack Overflow Questions Scraper (`lulzasaur/stackoverflow-scraper`) Actor
Scrape Stack Overflow questions via the SE API. Search by keyword or tag, fetch by ID. Get scores, answers, views, tags, owner info, and full question bodies.
- **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/stackoverflow-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community)
- **Categories:** E-commerce
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet
## Pricing
from $10.00 / 1,000 results
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/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
## Stack Overflow Questions Scraper
Scrape Stack Overflow questions and answers via the official Stack Exchange API v2.3. Search by keyword, filter by tag, or fetch specific question IDs. Extract scores, answer counts, view counts, tags, owner info, and full HTML question bodies.
### Modes
| Mode | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `search` | Search questions by keyword and/or tag |
| `questions` | Fetch specific questions by their numeric IDs |
### Output Fields
| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `questionId` | Numeric question ID |
| `title` | Question title |
| `body` | Full question body (HTML) |
| `tags` | Array of tag strings |
| `score` | Net upvotes minus downvotes |
| `answerCount` | Number of answers |
| `viewCount` | Total views |
| `isAnswered` | Whether question has an accepted or upvoted answer |
| `acceptedAnswerId` | ID of accepted answer (if any) |
| `owner` | Object with `name`, `reputation`, `link` |
| `creationDate` | ISO timestamp when question was created |
| `lastActivityDate` | ISO timestamp of last activity |
| `link` | Direct URL to the question |
| `scrapedAt` | ISO timestamp of scrape |
### Input Options
- **Mode**: `search` or `questions`
- **Search Queries**: Keywords to search (e.g. "python async", "react hooks")
- **Tags**: Filter by SO tags (e.g. "javascript", "python")
- **Question IDs**: Specific question IDs to fetch (e.g. "11227809")
- **Sort By**: `relevance`, `votes`, `creation`, or `activity`
- **Max Results**: Up to 500 per query
- **Proxy**: Optional proxy configuration
### Example Output
```json
{
"questionId": 11227809,
"title": "Why is processing a sorted array faster than processing an unsorted array?",
"body": "Here is a piece of C++ code...
",
"tags": ["java", "c++", "performance", "cpu-architecture", "branch-prediction"],
"score": 27145,
"answerCount": 26,
"viewCount": 1621534,
"isAnswered": true,
"acceptedAnswerId": 11227902,
"owner": {
"name": "GManNickG",
"reputation": 503000,
"link": "https://stackoverflow.com/users/87234"
},
"creationDate": "2012-06-27T13:51:36.000Z",
"lastActivityDate": "2026-04-20T10:00:00.000Z",
"link": "https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11227809",
"scrapedAt": "2026-04-26T12:00:00.000Z"
}
````
### Use Cases
- **Research**: Find top questions by technology or topic
- **Trend Analysis**: Track which tags and topics are most active
- **Knowledge Base**: Build datasets of Q\&A content for training or reference
- **Competitor Analysis**: Monitor questions about specific libraries or frameworks
- **Developer Insights**: Analyze reputation, voting patterns, and answer rates
### Notes
- Uses the public Stack Exchange API v2.3 (no auth required)
- API quota: 300 requests/day per IP (sufficient for most use cases)
- Responses are automatically decompressed (gzip)
- Results are deduplicated by question ID across multiple queries
***
### Run on Apify
This scraper runs on the [Apify platform](https://apify.com/?fpr=lulzasaur) — a full-stack web scraping and automation cloud. Sign up for a free account to get started with 30-day trial of all features.
[Try Apify free ->](https://apify.com/?fpr=lulzasaur)
# Actor input Schema
## `mode` (type: `string`):
Choose 'search' to search questions by keyword/tag, or 'questions' to fetch specific question IDs.
## `searchQueries` (type: `array`):
Keywords to search for (mode=search). E.g. 'python async', 'react hooks'.
## `tags` (type: `array`):
Filter by Stack Overflow tags (mode=search). E.g. 'python', 'javascript'.
## `questionIds` (type: `array`):
Specific question IDs to fetch (mode=questions). E.g. '11227809'.
## `sort` (type: `string`):
Sort order for search results.
## `limit` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of questions to return per query.
## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):
Optional proxy to use.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"mode": "search",
"searchQueries": [
"javascript async await"
],
"tags": [],
"questionIds": [],
"sort": "relevance",
"limit": 100
}
```
# 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 = {};
// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/stackoverflow-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 = {}
# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("lulzasaur/stackoverflow-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 '{}' |
apify call lulzasaur/stackoverflow-scraper --silent --output-dataset
```
## MCP server setup
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"apify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/stackoverflow-scraper",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer "
]
}
}
}
```
## OpenAPI specification
```json
{
"openapi": "3.0.1",
"info": {
"title": "Stack Overflow Questions Scraper",
"description": "Scrape Stack Overflow questions via the SE API. Search by keyword or tag, fetch by ID. Get scores, answers, views, tags, owner info, and full question bodies.",
"version": "1.0",
"x-build-id": "rG7OQrCYUPA7osqTb"
},
"servers": [
{
"url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
}
],
"paths": {
"/acts/lulzasaur~stackoverflow-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-stackoverflow-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": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
},
"/acts/lulzasaur~stackoverflow-scraper/runs": {
"post": {
"operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-stackoverflow-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$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": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
}
}
}
}
}
}
},
"/acts/lulzasaur~stackoverflow-scraper/run-sync": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-stackoverflow-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$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": {
"mode": {
"title": "Mode",
"enum": [
"search",
"questions"
],
"type": "string",
"description": "Choose 'search' to search questions by keyword/tag, or 'questions' to fetch specific question IDs.",
"default": "search"
},
"searchQueries": {
"title": "Search Queries",
"type": "array",
"description": "Keywords to search for (mode=search). E.g. 'python async', 'react hooks'.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"default": [
"javascript async await"
]
},
"tags": {
"title": "Tags",
"type": "array",
"description": "Filter by Stack Overflow tags (mode=search). E.g. 'python', 'javascript'.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"default": []
},
"questionIds": {
"title": "Question IDs",
"type": "array",
"description": "Specific question IDs to fetch (mode=questions). E.g. '11227809'.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"default": []
},
"sort": {
"title": "Sort By",
"enum": [
"relevance",
"votes",
"creation",
"activity"
],
"type": "string",
"description": "Sort order for search results.",
"default": "relevance"
},
"limit": {
"title": "Max Results",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 500,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Maximum number of questions to return per query.",
"default": 100
},
"proxyConfiguration": {
"title": "Proxy configuration",
"type": "object",
"description": "Optional proxy to use."
}
}
},
"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
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
```