# Instagram Post Scraper (`social-fetch/instagram-post-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Instagram posts and reels by URL: likes, comments, captions, and media. Export data, schedule runs, and integrate with research or analytics workflows.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/social-fetch/instagram-post-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Social Fetch](https://apify.com/social-fetch) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media, Automation, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.98 / 1,000 post 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

## Instagram Post Scraper

Instagram Post Scraper gives you likes, comments, captions, and media metadata from any public post or reel URL.

🔥 **$1.98 per 1,000 rows** on Apify · up to **500** URLs per run · [integration guide](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/integrations/apify)

### Overview

Scrape Instagram posts and reels from standard post/reel URLs

Each dataset row matches the [Social Fetch API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) envelope (`data`, `meta`, and `lookupStatus` where applicable). Platform API usage is included in the per-row Apify price.

New to Social Fetch on Apify? The [integration guide](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/integrations/apify) has screenshots, the actor catalog, and troubleshooting.

### 🚀 Quick start

1. Fill in the **Input** below — sample values are pre-filled.
2. Click **Start** and wait for the run to finish.
3. Open the **Dataset** tab and export as JSON, CSV, or Excel.

### 📦 Fields in each row

**Post or reel**
- Shortcode, URL, caption, and media type
- Likes, comments, and owner handle
- Display image or video URLs

### ⚙️ Input options

- **`postUrls`** — public Instagram post or reel links

### 💡 Try it

#### Input

```json
{
  "postUrls": [
    "https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2lr7ouyW5/"
  ]
}
````

#### Output

```json
{
  "data": {
    "lookupStatus": "found",
    "post": {
      "shortcode": "DL2lr7ouyW5",
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2lr7ouyW5/",
      "caption": "The blueprint to a better game. \n\nGet ready to outwork everyone in the Sabrina 3. The lightweight, versatile tool to build your game bucket by bucket.\n\nComing soon."
    },
    "owner": {
      "handle": "nike"
    },
    "metrics": {
      "likes": 64396,
      "comments": 426
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "requestId": "req_b0afea53-45a7-4197-b753-e6451da410f0",
    "version": "v1"
  }
}
```

Rows may include `data.lookupStatus` (`found`, `not_found`, or `private`). Completed lookups are billed, including `not_found`.

### 🎯 Good for

- 📌 Pull engagement stats for posts and reels
- 🗓️ Batch-lookup reels for content research

### 💵 How we compare

| | Cost per 1,000 lookups |
|---|---|
| **Instagram Post Scraper** | $1.98 |
| Typical Instagram scrapers on Apify | $10.00 |

Roughly **80% less** than many Instagram post scrapers on the Store — structured API data behind every row.

### 🧩 Related actors

- [Instagram Profile Scraper](https://apify.com/social-fetch/instagram-profile-scraper) — profile followers, bio, and metrics

### 🔗 Wire it up

Works with [Make](https://apify.com/integrations/make), [Zapier](https://apify.com/integrations/zapier), [n8n](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/integrations/n8n), Apify webhooks, and scheduled runs.

### ❓ Common questions

- **Do I need a Social Fetch API key?** No — your Apify token is enough. Never paste an `sfk_` key into Actor input.
- **Why was I charged for `not_found`?** The lookup completed, but Instagram did not return that profile, video, or post. That still counts as a billable dataset row.
- **What URLs work?** Standard Instagram post or reel links (`.../p/...` or `.../reel/...`). Profile URLs belong in the profile Actor, not here.
- **Can I download media files?** Not through this Actor. Use the [Social Fetch API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) with `downloadMedia=true` on your own API key.

### 📚 More on Social Fetch

- [Apify integration guide](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/integrations/apify) — quick start and actor catalog
- [API reference](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) — same endpoints with your `sfk_` key
- <support@socialfetch.dev>

# Actor input Schema

## `postUrls` (type: `array`):

Public Instagram post or reel links to look up.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "postUrls": [
    "https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2lr7ouyW5/"
  ]
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

Dataset items — one row per handle or URL lookup, including lookupStatus and API payload fields.

# 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 = {
    "postUrls": [
        "https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2lr7ouyW5/"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("social-fetch/instagram-post-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 = { "postUrls": ["https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2lr7ouyW5/"] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("social-fetch/instagram-post-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 '{
  "postUrls": [
    "https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2lr7ouyW5/"
  ]
}' |
apify call social-fetch/instagram-post-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=social-fetch/instagram-post-scraper",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

```json
{
    "openapi": "3.0.1",
    "info": {
        "title": "Instagram Post Scraper",
        "description": "Scrape Instagram posts and reels by URL: likes, comments, captions, and media. Export data, schedule runs, and integrate with research or analytics workflows.",
        "version": "1.0",
        "x-build-id": "o8pe9tmXayb12B66h"
    },
    "servers": [
        {
            "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
        }
    ],
    "paths": {
        "/acts/social-fetch~instagram-post-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-social-fetch-instagram-post-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": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/social-fetch~instagram-post-scraper/runs": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "runs-sync-social-fetch-instagram-post-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$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": {
                                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/social-fetch~instagram-post-scraper/run-sync": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-social-fetch-instagram-post-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$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": [
                    "postUrls"
                ],
                "properties": {
                    "postUrls": {
                        "title": "Instagram post URLs",
                        "type": "array",
                        "description": "Public Instagram post or reel links to look up.",
                        "items": {
                            "type": "string"
                        }
                    }
                }
            },
            "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
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```