# Instagram Scraper: Posts, Reels, Comments, Followers & Likes (`openclawai/instagram-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Instagram profiles, posts, reels, stories, tagged posts, comments + replies, followers, following, post likers, hashtags and search. No login or cookies. $1 per 1,000 posts. Pay only per result.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/openclawai/instagram-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Pika Choo](https://apify.com/openclawai) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media, Lead generation, AI
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.00 / 1,000 instagram posts

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

## 📸 Instagram Scraper: Posts, Reels, Comments, Followers & Likes

Scrape Instagram without login: posts, reels, stories, profiles, comments with replies, followers, post likers, hashtags and search. **$1 per 1,000 posts.**

### 📋 Table of contents

- [What does it do?](#what-does-it-do)
- [Features](#features)
- [Pricing](#pricing)
- [Input](#input)
- [Output](#output)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Who uses this Instagram Scraper?](#who-uses-this-instagram-scraper)
- [Use cases](#use-cases)
- [FAQ](#faq)
- [API, Python, JavaScript and MCP](#api-python-javascript-and-mcp)

### What does it do?

Instagram Scraper collects public Instagram data and returns clean rows. Give it profile links, @usernames, post or reel links, hashtags or keywords and it returns posts and reels with captions and engagement, stories, profile details, comment threads, follower and following lists, the accounts that liked a post, similar profiles, hashtag posts and search results. Your own Instagram account is never used, so it can't get blocked.

### Features

#### 🎬 What you can scrape on Instagram

| Mode | What you give it | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| `user_posts` | profile link / @username | Profile posts — photos, videos and reels from a profile |
| `user_reels` | profile link / @username | Profile reels |
| `user_tagged` | profile link / @username | Tagged posts — posts a profile is tagged in |
| `user_stories` | profile link / @username | Stories — a profile's current stories |
| `user_profile` | profile link / @username | Profile details — bio, followers, following, verified |
| `video_detail` | video or post link | Post details — one post or reel per link |
| `video_comments` | video or post link | Post comments (+ replies) |
| `post_likes` | post link or shortcode | Post likers — accounts that liked a post |
| `followers` | profile link / @username | Followers of a profile |
| `following` | profile link / @username | Accounts a profile follows |
| `related_profiles` | profile link / @username | Similar profiles |
| `hashtag_videos` | #hashtag, tag link or ID | Hashtag posts |
| `search_users` | keywords | Search profiles (keywords) |
| `search_hashtags` | keywords | Search hashtags (keywords) |
| `search_videos` | keywords | Search reels (keywords) |

#### ✨ Smart features

- Share links and shortcodes work as input
- Replies are placed right under their comment (comments with 3+ replies)
- Post likers: up to about 1,000 accounts per post
- Carousel items, music and tagged users kept in `raw`
- Image and video file URLs on every post
- Duplicates are removed automatically
- 🔓 No login, no cookies, no proxy setup
- 💸 Pay only for results: hint and error rows are free

#### 🧭 More scrapers from us

- [TikTok Scraper](https://apify.com/openclawai/tiktok-scraper)
- [TikTok Shop Scraper](https://apify.com/openclawai/tiktok-shop-scraper)
- [TikTok, Douyin & Bilibili Scraper (all platforms in one run)](https://apify.com/openclawai/tiktok-douyin-bilibili-scraper)

### Pricing

You pay per result. No compute or proxy charges on top, and hint and error rows are free.

| What you get | Price per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| 📸 Posts, reels and stories from any list | **$1.00** |
| 💬 Comments and replies | **$0.50** |
| 👥 Accounts from followers, following, likers, similar profiles or search | **$1.00** |
| #️⃣ Hashtags from search | **$1.00** |
| 🔍 Single lookups: one post by link or one full profile | **$2.00** |

#### How much does it cost to scrape Instagram data?

| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 Instagram posts | $1.00 |
| 10,000 Instagram posts | $10 |
| 100,000 Instagram posts | $100 |
| 1,000 profiles | $2.00 |

Set **Max cost per run** in the run options and the actor stops cleanly at that amount.

#### 🆓 Free plan

On the free Apify plan each run returns up to 10 results, so you can check the data before you buy. Comment replies need a paid plan. Any paid Apify plan removes the limit.

#### ⚡ Speed

Profile lists return 12 posts per request, comment pages about 15, and post likers up to 1,000 at once.

### Input

| Field | What it does |
|---|---|
| `mode` | Links, @usernames or IDs: user_posts, user_reels, user_tagged, user_stories, user_profile, video_detail, video_comments, post_likes, followers, following, related_profiles, hashtag_videos. Keywords: search_users, search_hashtags, search_videos. |
| `urls` | One per line: profile links or @usernames, post / reel links or shortcodes, #hashtags. Share links work too. |
| `queries` | Keywords for the search modes, one per line. |
| `maxItems` | Stop after this many rows per link or keyword (comments include their replies). |
| `includeReplies` | In video_comments mode, also fetch the replies under each comment that has 3 or more replies (TikTok, Douyin, Bilibili). Replies are billed as comments. Paid Apify plans only. |
| `downloadVideos` | Add the direct video file URL to each video row when the platform provides one. |

#### 🧪 Example inputs

**Latest 100 posts from a profile**

```json
{"mode": "user_posts", "urls": ["https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"], "maxItems": 100}
```

**Reels of several creators**

```json
{"mode": "user_reels", "urls": ["@natgeo", "@nasa"], "maxItems": 50}
```

**Comments with replies**

```json
{"mode": "video_comments", "urls": ["https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdG4RIxIPyf/"], "maxItems": 500, "includeReplies": true}
```

**Followers of a profile**

```json
{"mode": "followers", "urls": ["natgeo"], "maxItems": 2000}
```

**Profile details for a list of creators**

```json
{"mode": "user_profile", "urls": ["natgeo", "nasa"]}
```

**Search reels by keyword**

```json
{"mode": "search_videos", "queries": ["iced coffee recipe"], "maxItems": 100}
```

### Output

Every row uses the same fields. Export as JSON, CSV, Excel, XML or HTML.

#### 📦 Example output

```json
{
  "platform": "instagram",
  "item_type": "video",
  "item_id": "DdG4RIxIPyf",
  "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DdG4RIxIPyf/",
  "title": "Presented by @Rolex. Welcome to Africa 🌍 Africa Earth’s Wild Home takes you deep into the heart of o…",
  "description": "Presented by @Rolex. Welcome to Africa 🌍 Africa Earth’s Wild Home takes you deep into the heart of o…",
  "author_id": "787132",
  "author_name": "National Geographic",
  "author_username": "natgeo",
  "duration_sec": 72.6,
  "cover_url": "https://scontent-fra3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/802503979_1869…",
  "video_url_nowm": "https://scontent-fra5-1.cdninstagram.com/o1/v/t2/f2/m86/AQPDJtVww4K_68…",
  "hashtags": [
    "Rolex",
    "PerpetualPlanet"
  ],
  "created_at": "2026-09-10T13:00:14+00:00",
  "play_count": 3329391,
  "like_count": 79038,
  "comment_count": 545,
  "mode": "user_posts",
  "source_input": "natgeo",
  "scraped_at": "2026-10-08T19:59:47.565081+00:00",
  "raw": {
    "…": "full original record"
  }
}
```

#### 📤 Main fields

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `platform`, `item_type`, `mode`, `source_input` | Where the row came from and what it is (`video`, `user`, `comment`, `hint`, `error`…) |
| `item_id`, `url` | Native ID and a link back to the item |
| `title`, `description`, `hashtags`, `created_at` | Text and publish time (ISO 8601) |
| `author_id`, `author_name`, `author_username` | Creator or account |
| `play_count`, `like_count`, `comment_count`, `share_count`, `collect_count` | Engagement counts |
| `raw` | The full original record, every field the platform returned |
| `error_message` | Explanation on free `hint` / `error` rows |

### Troubleshooting

#### Stories or similar profiles come back empty?

Stories last 24 hours and some accounts have none; similar profiles are shown only for some accounts. You get a free `hint` row.

#### Getting no results?

Check that the link or username is public and typed correctly. Private accounts, deleted posts and hidden lists return a free `hint` row that says why. Keyword modes need the **Keywords** field, link modes need **Links**.

#### Getting fewer results than `maxItems`?

The platform ran out of items for that input (a small profile, a niche keyword), or the run reached its **Max cost per run** limit. The log says which one.

#### Some fields are empty?

Platforms don't return every field for every item. Everything the platform did return is kept in `raw`.

#### Video or image links stopped working?

Media URLs from these platforms expire after a few hours. Download files right after the run.

#### The run failed or shows an error row?

Retry once: the platforms sometimes refuse a request for a few minutes. If it keeps failing, open an issue with the run link and we'll fix it fast.

### Who uses this Instagram Scraper?

#### 📣 Social media managers

Track competitors' posts, reels and engagement.

#### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Influencer agencies

Vet creators: followers, engagement and similar profiles.

#### 🛒 Brands and e-commerce teams

Monitor hashtags, mentions and tagged posts.

#### 🎯 Growth teams

Build audiences from followers and post likers.

#### 📊 Market researchers

Read comments for sentiment and product feedback.

#### 🤖 AI and data teams

Collect captions and comments as training data.

### Use cases

#### Influencer vetting

Pull a creator's profile and last 50 posts, then compute engagement rate from likes and comments.

#### Audience building

Collect likers of a competitor's top posts as a warm audience list.

#### Hashtag research

Pull posts for a hashtag and see which formats get the most likes.

#### Comment monitoring

Collect comments on your brand's posts every day.

### FAQ

#### Can I scrape Instagram without logging in?

Yes. No Instagram account, cookies or API keys, so your account can't be blocked.

#### Does Instagram have an official API I could use instead?

The Graph API only covers business accounts you manage and limited hashtag search. It can't read other accounts' followers, likers or comments.

#### Can I scrape Instagram followers?

Yes, with `followers` and `following` on public profiles.

#### Can I see who liked an Instagram post?

Yes, `post_likes` returns up to about 1,000 likers per post.

#### How much does it cost to scrape 10,000 Instagram posts?

About $10, at $1 per 1,000 posts.

#### Can I scrape Instagram comments and replies?

Yes, with `video_comments` and **Include comment replies** on.

#### Can I scrape Instagram reels and stories?

Yes: `user_reels`, `user_stories` and reel search.

#### Can I scrape private profiles?

No. Only public data.

#### Is there a free tier?

Yes. On the free Apify plan each run returns up to 10 results.

#### Can I use it from Python, JavaScript or an AI agent?

Yes, through the Apify API, the client libraries, or MCP.

### API, Python, JavaScript and MCP

**Python**

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN")
run = client.actor("openclawai/instagram-scraper").call(run_input={"mode": "user_posts", "urls": ["https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"], "maxItems": 100})
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)
```

**JavaScript**

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from "apify-client";

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: "YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN" });
const run = await client.actor("openclawai/instagram-scraper").call({"mode": "user_posts", "urls": ["https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"], "maxItems": 100});
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
```

**MCP** (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and other MCP clients): `https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=openclawai/instagram-scraper`

Works with Zapier, Make, n8n, Google Sheets, Slack, webhooks and scheduled runs.

### 🛡️ Legal

Collects **public** data only. You are responsible for complying with Instagram's terms and with privacy laws such as GDPR, CCPA and PIPL when you store personal data.

### ⭐ Support

Something not working? Check the `hint` / `error` rows, then open an issue with the run link. We reply fast.

# Actor input Schema

## `mode` (type: `string`):

Links, @usernames or IDs: user_posts, user_reels, user_tagged, user_stories, user_profile, video_detail, video_comments, post_likes, followers, following, related_profiles, hashtag_videos. Keywords: search_users, search_hashtags, search_videos.

## `urls` (type: `array`):

One per line: profile links or @usernames, post / reel links or shortcodes, #hashtags. Share links work too.

## `queries` (type: `array`):

Keywords for the search modes, one per line.

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

Stop after this many rows per link or keyword (comments include their replies).

## `includeReplies` (type: `boolean`):

In video_comments mode, also fetch the replies under each comment that has 3 or more replies (TikTok, Douyin, Bilibili). Replies are billed as comments. Paid Apify plans only.

## `downloadVideos` (type: `boolean`):

Add the direct video file URL to each video row when the platform provides one.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "mode": "user_posts",
  "urls": [
    "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"
  ],
  "maxItems": 20,
  "includeReplies": false,
  "downloadVideos": true
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (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 = {
    "mode": "user_posts",
    "urls": [
        "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"
    ],
    "maxItems": 20
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("openclawai/instagram-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 = {
    "mode": "user_posts",
    "urls": ["https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"],
    "maxItems": 20,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("openclawai/instagram-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 '{
  "mode": "user_posts",
  "urls": [
    "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/"
  ],
  "maxItems": 20
}' |
apify call openclawai/instagram-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,openclawai/instagram-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/vcD2JbTLf4y7WhDQc/builds/xzbjA7vVH21X3Sd5X/openapi.json