# Instagram Engagement Metrics Scraper (`neuro-scraper/instagram-engagement-metrics-scraper`) Actor

Instagram Stats Scraper SD - Instagram Stats Scraper is an analytics tool that extracts engagement statistics of public Instagram accounts: engagement rate, average and median likes and comments, reel plays, posts per week, top hashtags and the best post.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-engagement-metrics-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Neuro Scraper](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media
- **Stats:** 4 total users, 3 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.49 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

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

### Instagram Stats Scraper — engagement rate, averages and posting frequency

The Instagram Stats Scraper measures public Instagram accounts: followers and following plus statistics from the newest posts - engagement rate, average and median likes and comments, reel plays, posts per week, days since the last post, the post type mix, top hashtags, the best posts and the best posting time.

It runs on Apify, needs no Instagram login and no cookies, and exports to JSON, CSV, Excel or an API call. Every session key it needs (tokens, query ids, cursors) is read from Instagram on each run, so it keeps working when Instagram ships new code.

#### What the Instagram Stats Scraper does

- Reads each profile and its newest posts from Instagram's own post list, which carries likes, comments, dates and the pinned flag, so the analysed posts need no extra request each.
- Leaves pinned posts out by default: they are often months old and distort posting frequency (natgeo: 1.08 posts a week with its 2 pinned posts, 26.0 without, measured 2026-10-03).
- Reads reel plays from the Reels tab list, the logged-out list that carries play counts.
- Computes the engagement rate as (average likes + average comments) / followers x 100, plus a median version that one viral post cannot skew.
- Adds the best posting day and hour (UTC), the 5 best posts, totals, average hashtags per post, bio, business category and account type.

#### Who uses the Instagram Stats Scraper

- Influencer marketers vetting creators before a campaign.
- Agencies benchmarking clients against competitors.
- Brands tracking their own engagement month by month.
- Researchers comparing accounts on the same metrics.

### How the Instagram Stats Scraper works

Instagram serves every public page to logged-out visitors together with the queries that fill it.

The Actor loads the page the way a browser does, reads the session values Instagram puts into it, and then asks Instagram's own GraphQL endpoint for the next page with the cursor the previous page returned.

Query ids that a page does not preload are read from the JavaScript bundles that page lists. Large files from Instagram's CDN (images, videos) are fetched directly with their signed links, so proxy traffic stays small.

Nothing is guessed: if Instagram stops publishing a value the Instagram Stats Scraper needs, the run log names it and the item is skipped instead of being filled with a stale value.

### Input of the Instagram Stats Scraper

| Field | Type | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| `usernames` | array | \["nasa", "natgeo"] | One per line: a username (nasa), an @handle (@nasa) or a profile URL (https://www.instagram.com/nasa/). |
| `postsToAnalyze` | integer | 12 | How many of the newest posts the averages, engagement rate and posting frequency are based on. Posts come from Instagram's own post list, about 12 per request;  |
| `includePostList` | boolean | False | Adds the analysed posts (link, type, date, likes, comments, plays) to each row. |
| `skipPinnedPosts` | boolean | True | Pinned posts are often months old and distort posting frequency; they are left out of the analysed posts unless you turn this off. |
| `maxItems` | integer | 0 | Stops the run after this many account rows. |
| `proxyConfiguration` | object | {"useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": \["RESIDENTIAL"]} | Instagram limits logged-out visitors per IP address. Residential proxies (the default) give the most reliable results; the Actor switches to a fresh IP when Ins |

Example input for the Instagram Stats Scraper:

```json
{
  "usernames": [
    "nasa",
    "natgeo"
  ],
  "postsToAnalyze": 12,
  "skipPinnedPosts": true
}
```

### Output of the Instagram Stats Scraper

Each dataset row is one account (one row of statistics per username). These are the fields the Instagram Stats Scraper produced in its test runs:

| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `accountType` | personal, business or creator |
| `avgComments` | Average comments per analysed post |
| `avgHashtagsPerPost` | Hashtags per analysed post |
| `avgLikes` | Average likes per analysed post |
| `avgReelPlays` | Average plays of those reels |
| `bestPost` | The analysed post with the most likes + comments |
| `bestPostingDay` | Weekday with the best average likes + comments |
| `bestPostingHourUtc` | Hour (UTC) with the best average likes + comments |
| `biography` | Bio text |
| `businessCategoryName` | Business category shown on the profile |
| `daysSinceLastPost` | Days since the newest analysed post |
| `engagementRate` | Engagement rate in percent: (average likes + average comments) / followers x 100 |
| `firstAnalyzedPostAt` | Date of the oldest analysed post |
| `followersCount` | Followers |
| `followsCount` | Accounts followed |
| `fullName` | Display name |
| `highlightsCount` | Story highlights on the profile |
| `inputUsername` | The username or link as you entered it |
| `isBusinessAccount` | True for business accounts |
| `isPrivate` | Private account |
| `isVerified` | Verified badge |
| `lastPostAt` | Date of the newest analysed post |
| `latestStoryAt` | Time of the newest story |
| `likesHiddenPosts` | Posts with hidden like counts (left out of the averages) |
| `medianComments` | Median comments per analysed post |
| `medianEngagementRate` | Same rate from the median likes and comments |
| `medianLikes` | Median likes per analysed post |
| `medianReelPlays` | Median plays of those reels |
| `note` | Why a statistic is missing, when one is |
| `pinnedPostsSkipped` | Pinned posts left out |
| `postTypeMix` | Analysed posts by type (Image, Video, Sidecar) |
| `postsAnalyzed` | Posts the statistics are based on |
| `postsPerWeek` | Posting frequency over the analysed posts |
| `postsRequested` | Posts you asked to analyse |
| `profilePicUrl` | Profile picture link |
| `reelsAnalyzed` | Reels read from the Reels tab |
| `scrapedAt` | When this row was read |
| `topHashtags` | Most used hashtags |
| `topMentions` | Most mentioned accounts |
| `topPosts` | The 5 best analysed posts |

Fields that Instagram does not publish for an item are left empty rather than guessed. Download the dataset as JSON, CSV, Excel, XML or HTML, or read it through the Apify API.

#### Example row from a Instagram Stats Scraper test run

A real row from the local test run (long values shortened):

```json
{
  "username": "nasa",
  "fullName": "NASA",
  "url": "https://www.instagram.com/nasa/",
  "isVerified": true,
  "isPrivate": false,
  "followersCount": 104283157,
  "followsCount": 89,
  "highlightsCount": 5,
  "latestStoryAt": "2026-10-02T20:53:37.000Z",
  "profilePicUrl": "https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/29090066_159271188110124_11520681590296...",
  "postsAnalyzed": 12,
  "postsRequested": 12,
  "likesHiddenPosts": 0,
  "avgLikes": 235928.42,
  "medianLikes": 179467.0,
  "avgComments": 944.92,
  "medianComments": 781.5,
  "reelsAnalyzed": 12,
  "avgReelPlays": 5644134.42,
  "medianReelPlays": 5458912.5,
  "engagementRate": 0.2271,
  "medianEngagementRate": 0.1728
}
```

#### Data quality of the Instagram Stats Scraper

- Every value in a Instagram Stats Scraper row is read from Instagram during your run; nothing is filled from a cache or an old snapshot.
- Rows are de-duplicated by id inside a run, so the same account never appears twice in one dataset.
- Counts are numbers you can sort and sum (not "1.2K" text) wherever Instagram publishes the exact number.
- Dates are UTC in ISO 8601 format, which Excel, Google Sheets, Python and SQL all read directly.

### Instagram Stats Scraper test results

These numbers come from live test runs of the Instagram Stats Scraper on 2026-10-03 (home connection, no proxy). Runs on the Apify platform use residential proxies and can be faster or slower.

| Test | Rows | Time |
|---|---|---|
| prefill input (regression) | 2 | 25 s |
| post list, pinned posts kept | 1 | 19 s |
| missing user + URL form | 1 | 16 s |

### Instagram Stats Scraper limits, stated plainly

- Private accounts return only the public counters (followers, following, verified).
- Posts whose owner hid like counts are counted in likesHiddenPosts and left out of the averages.
- When Instagram refuses its post list, the Actor falls back to the profile grid and reads each analysed post with one request.
- Measured locally: 2 accounts with 12 posts each in 18 to 25 seconds; natgeo with 24 posts in 19 seconds.

### How to run the Instagram Stats Scraper

1. Open the Instagram Stats Scraper in Apify Console and fill in the input fields described above.
2. Keep the default residential proxy unless you have a reason to change it; Instagram limits logged-out visitors per IP address.
3. Start the run, watch the log, and download the dataset when the status says Done.
4. To automate it, call the Instagram Stats Scraper from the Apify API, schedule it, or connect it to Make, Zapier, n8n or Google Sheets through an integration or webhook.

Python example with the Apify API client:

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>")
run_input = {
    "usernames": [
        "nasa",
        "natgeo"
    ],
    "postsToAnalyze": 12,
    "skipPinnedPosts": True
}
run = client.actor("neuro-scraper/instagram-stats-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)
```

### Instagram Stats Scraper pricing

The Instagram Stats Scraper uses pay-per-event pricing: you pay per dataset row (event "result"), plus the Apify platform usage of your run. Free-plan users get up to 30 rows per run, which is enough to test the Instagram Stats Scraper on real data.

Set a maximum cost per run in Apify and the Instagram Stats Scraper stops cleanly when it is reached.

#### Tips for large runs of the Instagram Stats Scraper

- Start with a small limit to check the Instagram Stats Scraper output, then raise it; the first rows arrive within seconds.
- Split very large jobs into several inputs and run them in parallel tasks; each run gets its own proxy sessions.
- Set a maximum cost per run in Apify; the Instagram Stats Scraper stops cleanly when the budget is reached and keeps every row it already saved.
- Schedule repeat runs instead of one huge run when you track the same targets over time.
- Keep the residential proxy: datacenter IPs are refused by Instagram far more often for logged-out visitors.

#### Instagram Stats Scraper compared with copying by hand

|  | Instagram Stats Scraper | Manual work |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Seconds per page of results | Minutes per item |
| Fields | Every public field, same order every time | Whatever you copy |
| Format | JSON, CSV, Excel, API | Spreadsheet you build yourself |
| Repeatable | Schedule it daily | Start again each time |
| Errors | Logged per item | Unnoticed typos |

### Using the Instagram Stats Scraper in a workflow

- Send every new row to Google Sheets or Airtable with the Apify integration and keep a live table.
- Trigger a Make, Zapier or n8n scenario with a webhook when the run finishes.
- Load the JSON export into Python or BigQuery for analysis and dashboards.
- Use the Apify API: start the Instagram Stats Scraper with a POST request and read the dataset items endpoint when the run finishes.
- Chain it: pass the Instagram Stats Scraper output to another Apify Actor (for example a downloader or a transcript Actor) in an Apify task.
- Export straight to Excel from the dataset tab when you only need a one-off report.

#### Troubleshooting the Instagram Stats Scraper

- The run ends with no rows: open the log. The Instagram Stats Scraper writes one line per target saying what Instagram returned, for example a login wall or a missing item.
- Fewer rows than expected: the target may have fewer public items, or Instagram may stop serving more pages to logged-out visitors. The log names the reason.
- Slow run: large limits mean many pages; the Instagram Stats Scraper waits briefly between pages so Instagram keeps answering. Split big jobs into several runs.
- Proxy errors: keep the RESIDENTIAL group. The Instagram Stats Scraper already switches to a fresh IP when one is blocked.
- Free plan stops at 30 rows: that is the free-plan cap of the Instagram Stats Scraper; any paid Apify plan removes it.

#### What is in this first version of the Instagram Stats Scraper

- Built in October 2026 on Instagram's logged-out web endpoints; every token, query id and cursor is read at run time.
- Its options and fields were compared with the top 10 Instagram Actors of its kind on the Apify Store; everything that works logged out is included.
- Residential proxy by default, with automatic switch to a fresh IP when Instagram blocks one.

#### Is it legal to use the Instagram Stats Scraper?

The Instagram Stats Scraper reads only data that Instagram shows to any logged-out visitor. It never logs in and never touches private content. Personal data may still be in public posts, so check GDPR and the other laws that apply to you before you store or reuse it, and respect Instagram's terms.

### Related scrapers

| Actor | Link |
|---|---|
| Instagram Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper) |
| Instagram Profile Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper-downloader-pro](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper-downloader-pro) |
| Instagram Posts Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-posts-scraper](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-posts-scraper) |
| Instagram Reels Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper) |
| Instagram Hashtag Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-reeel-scraper](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-reeel-scraper) |
| Instagram Comments Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper-and-downloader-premium](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper-and-downloader-premium) |
| Instagram Search Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-advanced](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-advanced) |
| Instagram Video Downloader | [neuro-scraper/instagram-video-downloader](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-video-downloader) |
| Instagram Reels Downloader | [neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-downloader](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-downloader) |
| Instagram Image Downloader | [neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader) |
| Instagram Transcript Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-pro](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-pro) |
| Instagram Mentions Scraper | [neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-premium](https://apify.com/neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-premium) |

### Leave a review

If the Instagram Stats Scraper saved you time, please leave a star rating and a short review on its Apify page. Reviews help other users find the Instagram Stats Scraper and tell us what to improve next.

### Frequently asked questions

#### How does the Instagram Stats Scraper calculate the engagement rate?

Engagement rate = (average likes + average comments) / followers x 100 over the analysed posts. The Instagram Stats Scraper also returns a median engagement rate, which one viral post cannot inflate.

#### Why does the Instagram Stats Scraper leave out pinned posts?

Pinned posts stay at the top of a profile for months. Counting them made natgeo look like it posts 1.08 times a week instead of 26 (measured 2026-10-03). Turn off "Leave out pinned posts" to include them.

#### Does the Instagram Stats Scraper need my Instagram login?

No. The Instagram Stats Scraper works logged out and never asks for your password or cookies. It reads only what Instagram shows to any visitor.

#### Do I need my own proxy for the Instagram Stats Scraper?

No. The Instagram Stats Scraper uses Apify residential proxies by default and switches to a fresh IP when Instagram blocks one. You can choose another proxy in the input.

#### What formats can I export from the Instagram Stats Scraper?

JSON, CSV, Excel, XML, HTML and RSS from the dataset tab, or any format through the Apify API, webhooks and integrations.

#### How fast is the Instagram Stats Scraper?

In the test runs above the Instagram Stats Scraper took between 16 and 25 seconds per run. Speed depends on how many items you ask for and on the proxy.

#### Why did the Instagram Stats Scraper return fewer rows than I asked for?

The Instagram Stats Scraper stops when Instagram has nothing more to show logged out, when your limit is reached, or when the free-plan cap of 30 rows applies. The run log always says which one happened.

#### Can I schedule the Instagram Stats Scraper?

Yes. Create a schedule in Apify Console to run the Instagram Stats Scraper daily or hourly and send the results to Google Sheets, Make, Zapier or n8n through an integration.

#### Can the Instagram Stats Scraper read private accounts or private groups?

No. The Instagram Stats Scraper reads public data only. Private content needs a login, and the Instagram Stats Scraper never logs in.

#### What happens when Instagram changes its website?

The Instagram Stats Scraper reads every key it needs from Instagram at run time, so routine changes are picked up automatically. If something can no longer be read, the log says so instead of returning wrong data.

#### Can I use the Instagram Stats Scraper with Make, Zapier or n8n?

Yes. Add the Instagram Stats Scraper as an Apify step in Make, Zapier or n8n, or send a webhook when the run finishes and fetch the dataset items from the Apify API.

#### Does the Instagram Stats Scraper work in every country?

The Instagram Stats Scraper reads Instagram through residential proxies that rotate across countries. Content that Instagram restricts by country follows those rules.

#### How do I collect only new items with the Instagram Stats Scraper?

Schedule the Instagram Stats Scraper and keep the item ids from earlier runs. Every row has a stable id, so a simple de-duplication against your previous export keeps only the new ones.

#### Can the Instagram Stats Scraper process many targets in one run?

Yes. Put as many targets as you like in the input; the Instagram Stats Scraper handles them one after another and a failing target never stops the others.

# Actor input Schema

## `usernames` (type: `array`):

One per line: a username (nasa), an @handle (@nasa) or a profile URL (https://www.instagram.com/nasa/).

## `postsToAnalyze` (type: `integer`):

How many of the newest posts the averages, engagement rate and posting frequency are based on. Posts come from Instagram's own post list, about 12 per request; only if that list is refused is each post read with one extra request.

## `includePostList` (type: `boolean`):

Adds the analysed posts (link, type, date, likes, comments, plays) to each row.

## `skipPinnedPosts` (type: `boolean`):

Pinned posts are often months old and distort posting frequency; they are left out of the analysed posts unless you turn this off.

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

Stops the run after this many account rows.

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

Instagram limits logged-out visitors per IP address. Residential proxies (the default) give the most reliable results; the Actor switches to a fresh IP when Instagram blocks one.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "usernames": [
    "nasa",
    "natgeo"
  ],
  "postsToAnalyze": 12,
  "includePostList": false,
  "skipPinnedPosts": true,
  "maxItems": 0,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}
```

# 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 = {
    "usernames": [
        "nasa",
        "natgeo"
    ],
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": true,
        "apifyProxyGroups": [
            "RESIDENTIAL"
        ]
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("neuro-scraper/instagram-engagement-metrics-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 = {
    "usernames": [
        "nasa",
        "natgeo",
    ],
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": True,
        "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"],
    },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("neuro-scraper/instagram-engagement-metrics-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 '{
  "usernames": [
    "nasa",
    "natgeo"
  ],
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}' |
apify call neuro-scraper/instagram-engagement-metrics-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,neuro-scraper/instagram-engagement-metrics-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/s6Ki9bin2XwCJNamv/builds/aBSXlrQFG4LQqLMDp/openapi.json