# Stack Overflow Questions Scraper (`receptional_blender/stackoverflow-questions-scraper`) Actor Search Stack Overflow questions by tag, keyword or sort order and get clean JSON — title, link, score, view/answer counts, tags, author and timestamps. Powered by the free official Stack Exchange API — no key or login required. - **URL**: https://apify.com/receptional\_blender/stackoverflow-questions-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Assia Fadli](https://apify.com/receptional_blender) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $0.01 / 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 web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows. 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/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.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/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 Collect questions from [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/) straight from its **free, official [Stack Exchange API](https://api.stackexchange.com/docs)**. There is nothing to configure — no API key, no login, and no proxy — the API is public and rock-solid. Filter by tag, search question titles, choose how the results are sorted, pick how many you want, and get back one tidy JSON row per question. ### Features - Fetch questions by one or more **tags** (AND-combined, e.g. `python` + `pandas`). - Optionally run a free-text **title search** instead of a plain tag listing. - Sort by **most votes**, **recent activity**, **newest** or **hot**. - Paginates automatically (100 per page) until your `maxItems` target is reached. - Emits one flat, ready-to-use JSON record per question. - Honours the API's `backoff` signal so the run stays polite and never gets throttled. ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `tags` | array | — | Only questions with these tags (AND-combined), e.g. `python`, `pandas`. | | `query` | string | — | Optional free-text search in question titles. When set, the search endpoint is used. | | `sort` | select | `votes` | Order results by `votes`, `activity`, `creation` or `hot`. | | `maxItems` | integer | `50` | Maximum number of questions to fetch. | #### Example input ```json { "tags": ["python"], "sort": "votes", "maxItems": 10 } ```` Or search question titles: ```json { "query": "async await", "tags": ["javascript"], "sort": "votes", "maxItems": 25 } ``` ### Output Each dataset record looks like this: ```json { "questionId": 231767, "title": "What does the "yield" keyword do in Python?", "link": "https://stackoverflow.com/questions/231767/what-does-the-yield-keyword-do-in-python", "score": 13024, "viewCount": 3405620, "answerCount": 51, "isAnswered": true, "tags": ["python", "iterator", "generator", "yield", "coroutine"], "owner": "Alex. S.", "ownerReputation": 45932, "creationDate": "2008-10-23T22:21:11.000Z", "lastActivityDate": "2024-06-19T08:14:02.000Z" } ``` | Field | Description | | --- | --- | | `questionId` | Stack Overflow question ID. | | `title` | Question title (as returned by the API). | | `link` | Direct link to the question. | | `score` | Net vote score. | | `viewCount` | Total number of views. | | `answerCount` | Number of answers. | | `isAnswered` | Whether the question has an accepted/qualifying answer. | | `tags` | Array of tags on the question. | | `owner` | Author's display name (null if unavailable). | | `ownerReputation` | Author's reputation (null if unavailable). | | `creationDate` | When the question was asked, as an ISO 8601 timestamp. | | `lastActivityDate` | Last activity time, as an ISO 8601 timestamp. | ### Pricing This actor uses the **pay-per-event** model: you are charged once per question returned (the `question-scraped` event). Nothing else is billed. ### Data source The actor talks to the official Stack Exchange API (version 2.3), scoped to the `stackoverflow` site: - Base URL: `https://api.stackexchange.com/2.3` - Tag listing: `/questions?tagged=&sort=&order=desc&site=stackoverflow` - Title search: `/search?intitle=&tagged=&sort=&order=desc&site=stackoverflow` The API is free and requires no authentication for modest volumes. ### License MIT © Assia Fadli # Actor input Schema ## `tags` (type: `array`): Only questions with these tags (AND-combined), e.g. python, pandas. ## `query` (type: `string`): Free-text search in question titles. When set, uses the search endpoint. ## `sort` (type: `string`): How to order the results. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of questions to fetch. ## Actor input object example ```json { "tags": [ "python" ], "sort": "votes", "maxItems": 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 = { "maxItems": 50 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("receptional_blender/stackoverflow-questions-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 = { "maxItems": 50 } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("receptional_blender/stackoverflow-questions-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 '{ "maxItems": 50 }' | apify call receptional_blender/stackoverflow-questions-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=receptional_blender/stackoverflow-questions-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Stack Overflow Questions Scraper", "description": "Search Stack Overflow questions by tag, keyword or sort order and get clean JSON — title, link, score, view/answer counts, tags, author and timestamps. Powered by the free official Stack Exchange API — no key or login required.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "LvbMMD9ar1dDnvXZq" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/receptional_blender~stackoverflow-questions-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-receptional_blender-stackoverflow-questions-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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/receptional_blender~stackoverflow-questions-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-receptional_blender-stackoverflow-questions-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/receptional_blender~stackoverflow-questions-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-receptional_blender-stackoverflow-questions-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "tags": { "title": "Tags", "type": "array", "description": "Only questions with these tags (AND-combined), e.g. python, pandas.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "query": { "title": "Search text (optional)", "type": "string", "description": "Free-text search in question titles. When set, uses the search endpoint." }, "sort": { "title": "Sort by", "enum": [ "votes", "activity", "creation", "hot" ], "type": "string", "description": "How to order the results.", "default": "votes" }, "maxItems": { "title": "Max items", "minimum": 1, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of questions to fetch.", "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```