Douyin Search Scraper & Video Downloader

Search publicly accessible Douyin (抖音) results with one keyword and export item metadata. Metadata-only is the default; you can also request MP4 files for eligible videos found in the search. You don't need to provide a Douyin account, export cookies, or use QR login.

Free beta — no extra charge from us. You only pay your normal Apify usage, storage, and transfer costs.

How to use it

1. Enter one keyword (1–128 characters, without spaces at the beginning or end).
2. Leave media_max_items empty for metadata only. To request MP4 files, set it to an integer from 1 to 2000.
3. Run the Actor. Open its Dataset for results and OUTPUT for a short run summary.

For example, this input requests metadata for one search:

{
  "keyword": "街头美食"
}

To request MP4 files too, add "media_max_items": 5. That number is a maximum request, not a promise of five files. The accepted maximum, 2000, does not mean the search will find or deliver 2000 results or videos.

For AI agents and API users

Use Actor Store identifier plutonus/douyin-scraper. Start a metadata-only run with {"keyword":"街头美食"} or request media with {"keyword":"咖啡","media_max_items":5}. The requested media count is a maximum, not a delivery guarantee.

Runs are long-running and can exceed 5 minutes. Start the run asynchronously, then poll for completion or use a completion webhook before reading the default Dataset. When requested media is available, MP4 files are stored in the initiating run's default key-value store, as described below.

What you get

The Dataset contains one row per usable public item found, with its Douyin item ID, public URL and type. Available details can include a caption, creation time, public creator name or handle, verification information, engagement counts, hashtags and video dimensions. Some fields may be absent.

An illustrative row with synthetic values (optional fields vary):

{
  "keyword": "街头美食",
  "awemeId": "1234567890123456789",
  "publicUrl": "https://www.douyin.com/video/1234567890123456789",
  "itemType": "VIDEO",
  "caption": "A quick noodle lunch",
  "authorNickname": "Sample Kitchen",
  "likeCount": 42,
  "commentCount": 3
}

With media enabled, available MP4 files appear in the initiating run's default key-value store as MEDIA_<aweme_id>.mp4. The MEDIA_MANIFEST record lists selected videos and shows which files were delivered or unavailable; OUTPUT summarizes those counts. Files follow that store's retention settings. This Actor does not provide a permanent media library.

MP4 downloads are attempted only for eligible video results found in the search. Other item types and unavailable videos do not produce MP4 files, so you may receive fewer files than requested while still receiving metadata.

Costs and beta limits

Requesting media can increase run time, transfer, storage, and your Apify costs.

Search coverage and result counts are not guaranteed. The Actor does not independently verify relevance or latest ordering. Beta capacity can sometimes be unavailable. There is no production reliability or SLA promise.

Responsible use

Publicly visible creator information, including names or handles, identifiers such as authorSecUid, verification status and public counters, can still be personal data. You are responsible for how you use the output and for complying with applicable laws and regulations, including privacy and data-protection obligations where relevant, and Douyin's applicable terms and policies.

A downloadable MP4 does not grant rights to reuse or republish it. You are responsible for copyright and other applicable rights when storing, redistributing or republishing media.

This is an independent, unofficial tool. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or operated by Douyin or ByteDance. Their names and trademarks are used only to identify the supported platform.