# Lemmy Posts & Communities Scraper (`makework36/lemmy-scraper`) Actor Scrape Lemmy instances for posts, comments, communities. Works with any instance. Sort by Hot, New, Top. No login needed. - **URL**: https://apify.com/makework36/lemmy-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [deusex machine](https://apify.com/makework36) (community) - **Categories:** Social media - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.00 / 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 ## Lemmy Posts & Communities Scraper Scrapes posts, comments, and community data from any Lemmy instance using its public API. Works with lemmy.world, lemmy.ml, beehaw.org, or any other Lemmy server. ### What data does it extract? | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `type` | Item type: `post`, `comment`, or `community` | | `id` | Lemmy item ID | | `title` | Post title or community title | | `body` | Post/comment body text or community description | | `author` | Author username | | `authorDisplayName` | Author display name | | `community` | Community short name | | `communityTitle` | Community full title | | `score` | Net score (upvotes minus downvotes) | | `upvotes` | Number of upvotes | | `downvotes` | Number of downvotes | | `commentCount` | Number of comments (posts) or child comments (comments) | | `url` | External link (posts) or community actor ID | | `postUrl` | ActivityPub permalink | | `published` | Publication date | | `thumbnailUrl` | Thumbnail image URL | | `nsfw` | NSFW flag | | `subscribers` | Subscriber count (communities only) | | `postsCount` | Total posts (communities only) | | `activeUsers` | Monthly active users (communities only) | | `instance` | Lemmy instance hostname | | `scrapedAt` | ISO 8601 scrape timestamp | ### Use cases - **Fediverse monitoring** -- Track discussions and trending topics across Lemmy instances. - **Community analytics** -- Compare subscriber counts, activity, and growth across communities. - **Content research** -- Collect posts on specific topics for analysis or content ideas. - **Reddit alternative tracking** -- Monitor the Lemmy ecosystem as users migrate from Reddit. - **Sentiment analysis** -- Gather comments from specific communities to gauge public opinion. ### How to use Hot posts from the technology community on lemmy.world: ```json { "instance": "lemmy.world", "mode": "posts", "communities": ["technology"], "sort": "Hot", "maxResults": 100 } ```` Search across all communities: ```json { "instance": "lemmy.world", "mode": "search", "searchQuery": "rust programming", "maxResults": 50 } ``` List the most active communities: ```json { "instance": "lemmy.ml", "mode": "communities", "sort": "Top", "maxResults": 50 } ``` ### Input parameters | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | `instance` | string | `lemmy.world` | Lemmy instance hostname (without `https://`) | | `mode` | string | `posts` | What to scrape: `posts`, `comments`, `communities`, `search` | | `communities` | string\[] | `[]` | Filter to specific community names. Empty = all | | `searchQuery` | string | `""` | Search query (required for `search` mode) | | `sort` | string | `Hot` | Sort order: `Hot`, `New`, `Top`, `Old`, `MostComments` | | `maxResults` | integer | `50` | Max items to return (1-500) | ### Output example ```json { "type": "post", "id": 12847561, "title": "Firefox 130 released with per-site cookie controls", "body": null, "author": "techfan42", "authorDisplayName": "TechFan", "community": "technology", "communityTitle": "Technology", "score": 487, "upvotes": 512, "downvotes": 25, "commentCount": 83, "url": "https://blog.mozilla.org/en/firefox-130", "postUrl": "https://lemmy.world/post/12847561", "published": "2026-03-27T18:45:00.000Z", "thumbnailUrl": "https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/abc123.jpg", "nsfw": false, "instance": "lemmy.world", "scrapedAt": "2026-03-28T14:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### Performance & cost - Pure HTTP requests, no browser. Fetches up to 50 items per API page. - A typical run of 100 posts finishes in under 5 seconds. - Costs well under $0.01 per run on the Apify platform. ### FAQ **Can I scrape any Lemmy instance?** Yes, as long as the instance has its API publicly accessible. Most Lemmy instances do by default. **What's the difference between `posts` mode and `search` mode?** `posts` mode lists posts from the instance feed (optionally filtered by community). `search` mode does full-text search and returns a mix of posts, comments, and communities that match your query. **Do I need an account on the Lemmy instance?** No. The actor uses the public API endpoints that don't require authentication. **Why did I get fewer results than `maxResults`?** The instance may simply have fewer matching items than you requested. Small or new communities often have limited content. # Actor input Schema ## `instance` (type: `string`): The Lemmy instance hostname to scrape (without https://). Example: lemmy.world, lemmy.ml, beehaw.org ## `mode` (type: `string`): What type of content to scrape from the instance. ## `communities` (type: `array`): Filter results to specific community names (e.g. 'technology', 'gaming'). Leave empty for all communities. ## `searchQuery` (type: `string`): Search query string. Only used when mode is 'search'. ## `sort` (type: `string`): How to sort the results. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of results to return (1-500). ## Actor input object example ```json { "instance": "lemmy.world", "mode": "posts", "communities": [], "searchQuery": "", "sort": "Hot", "maxResults": 50 } ``` # 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("makework36/lemmy-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("makework36/lemmy-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 makework36/lemmy-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=makework36/lemmy-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Lemmy Posts & Communities Scraper", "description": "Scrape Lemmy instances for posts, comments, communities. Works with any instance. Sort by Hot, New, Top. No login needed.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "NBPoI4naSMoJTGKXp" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/makework36~lemmy-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-makework36-lemmy-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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/makework36~lemmy-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-makework36-lemmy-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/makework36~lemmy-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-makework36-lemmy-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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", "required": [ "instance", "mode" ], "properties": { "instance": { "title": "Lemmy Instance", "type": "string", "description": "The Lemmy instance hostname to scrape (without https://). Example: lemmy.world, lemmy.ml, beehaw.org", "default": "lemmy.world" }, "mode": { "title": "Scrape Mode", "enum": [ "posts", "comments", "communities", "search" ], "type": "string", "description": "What type of content to scrape from the instance.", "default": "posts" }, "communities": { "title": "Communities", "type": "array", "description": "Filter results to specific community names (e.g. 'technology', 'gaming'). Leave empty for all communities.", "items": { "type": "string" }, "default": [] }, "searchQuery": { "title": "Search Query", "type": "string", "description": "Search query string. Only used when mode is 'search'.", "default": "" }, "sort": { "title": "Sort Order", "enum": [ "Hot", "New", "Top", "Old", "MostComments" ], "type": "string", "description": "How to sort the results.", "default": "Hot" }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 500, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of results to return (1-500).", "default": 50 } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```