# Instagram Profile & Posts Scraper (`scrapers_lat/instagram-scraper`) Actor
Extract public Instagram profiles and recent posts by username without login.
- **URL**: https://apify.com/scrapers\_lat/instagram-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Michael Flores](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media, Automation, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 0 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet
## Pricing
from $8.00 / 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.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.
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 Scraper
> Extract public Instagram profiles and their recent posts by username, with follower counts, captions, likes and media URLs from accounts of any size.
32 fields per record
Public accounts coverage
JSON / CSV / Excel output formats
Updated 2026-06-22
### What you get
Give the scraper a list of public Instagram usernames and choose whether you want profiles or posts. In profile mode you get one record per account with its public stats and bio. In posts mode you get one record per recent public post, each carrying its parent profile context, so you can build follower dashboards, track campaigns, analyze hashtags or feed content into your own apps.
Profile fields:
- **imageUrl**: high-resolution profile picture URL
- **type**: record type, `profile`
- **username**: the account handle
- **fullName**: display name
- **url**: link to the public profile
- **id**: numeric Instagram user ID
- **biography**: the bio text
- **followersCount**: number of followers
- **followingCount**: number of accounts the profile follows
- **postsCount**: total number of posts on the profile
- **highlightReelCount**: number of story highlight reels
- **isVerified**: whether the account has the blue verified badge
- **isPrivate**: whether the account is private
- **isBusinessAccount**: whether it is a business or creator account
- **category**: the business or creator category shown on the profile, such as Restaurant or Clothing Brand
- **businessContactMethod**: the public contact action the business exposes, such as CALL, when it has set one up
- **businessAddress**: the public business street address, city and zip when the account displays one
- **externalUrl**: the website link in the bio
- **bioLinks**: all link-in-bio URLs
- **fbid**: the linked Facebook profile ID
Post fields:
- **imageUrl**: post thumbnail or cover image URL
- **type**: record type, `post`
- **username**: the author handle
- **fullName**: author display name
- **url**: link to the post
- **id**: numeric post ID
- **shortcode**: the post short code used in its URL
- **ownerId**: numeric user ID of the author
- **followersCount**: author follower count at scrape time
- **isVerified**: whether the author is verified
- **mediaType**: `GraphImage`, `GraphVideo` or `GraphSidecar` (carousel)
- **isVideo**: whether the post is a video
- **caption**: the post caption text
- **accessibilityCaption**: auto-generated alt text describing the image
- **likesCount**: number of likes
- **commentsCount**: number of comments
- **commentsDisabled**: whether comments are turned off
- **videoViewCount**: view count for video posts
- **isPinned**: whether the post is pinned to the top of the profile
- **locationName**: tagged location name when the post has one
- **width**: media width in pixels
- **height**: media height in pixels
- **videoUrl**: direct video URL for video posts
- **childImageUrls**: image URLs of each slide in a carousel post
- **taggedUsers**: usernames tagged in the post photo or video
- **coauthors**: usernames of verified co-authors credited on the post
- **takenAt**: when the post was published
- **observedAt**: when this record was collected by the scraper
### How it works
Enter one or more public usernames, pick a results type and run. The scraper reads Instagram's public web profile endpoint, so it never logs in and only ever sees data that any visitor can view on a public profile. Posts mode returns the most recent public posts per profile.
### Frequently asked questions
**Can I scrape an Instagram profile without logging in?**
Yes. This scraper uses only Instagram's public profile data, so no account, password or cookies are required. It works on public profiles only.
**How many posts can I get per profile?**
The public no-login source exposes roughly the 12 most recent posts per profile. The scraper returns up to that many per account, controlled by the Posts Per Profile setting.
**Can it scrape private accounts?**
No. Private accounts expose no public posts, so the scraper returns a profile record marked as private with no posts. Only public data is collected.
**Do I need a proxy?**
Yes, and it is enabled by default. Instagram blocks plain server requests, so the scraper routes traffic through Apify Proxy automatically. Leave the proxy option on.
**What can I do with the data?**
Build follower and engagement dashboards, monitor competitor or influencer accounts, track campaign hashtags, archive public posts or feed captions and media URLs into your own pipelines.
### Public data and responsible use
This is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Instagram or Meta Platforms, Inc. It collects only data that is publicly visible on public Instagram profiles, without logging in. It does not access private accounts, followers behind a login, or any non-public content.
The business fields (category, businessContactMethod and businessAddress) are only returned when a public business or creator account has chosen to display that information on its own profile. They are public business details, not private personal data scraped from behind a login. Even so, a business address can be personal data under the GDPR and similar laws, for example when a sole trader operates from a home address. You are responsible for using the collected data, and these business contact fields in particular, in compliance with Instagram's terms, the GDPR and any other applicable privacy and data-protection laws, including having a lawful basis for processing any personal data, honoring marketing and opt-out rules, and respecting the rights of the individuals concerned.
### Related scrapers
Need data from the same space? Here are other scrapers we build and maintain:
- [YouTube Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/youtube-scraper): Scrape YouTube videos and channels by search query, video URL or channel URL.
- [X (Twitter) Profiles & Tweets Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/x-twitter-scraper): Extract public X (Twitter) tweets by tweet ID: text, author, likes, replies, media and timestamps.
- [Reddit Posts & Comments Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/reddit-scraper): Extract Reddit posts and comments from subreddits and search results using the public Reddit feeds.
- [TikTok Creative Center Top Ads Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/tiktok-creative-center-scraper): Scrape top-performing TikTok ads from the public Creative Center by country, time period and...
- [App Store Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/app-store-reviews-scraper): Extract Apple App Store reviews and ratings for any app by id, URL or search term.
- [Google Play App Details Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/google-play-apps-scraper): Extract app listings and details from the Google Play Store by search, app IDs, developer or...
### More scrapers at scrapers.lat
This actor is built and maintained by [scrapers.lat](https://scrapers.lat), where we publish scrapers for Latin American and US public platforms: real estate, jobs, e-commerce, company registries and government data. Browse the full catalog, see live sample output for each one, or ask us for a custom scraper at [scrapers.lat](https://scrapers.lat).
# Actor input Schema
## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of records to collect across all usernames. Optional.
## `usernames` (type: `array`):
Public Instagram usernames to scrape (without the @). For each username the scraper fetches the public profile and, when Results Type is set to Posts, its most recent public posts. Only public accounts are supported; private accounts return an error record.
## `resultsType` (type: `string`):
Profile returns one record per username with the public profile fields. Posts returns one record per recent public post (each post record also carries its parent profile context).
## `postsLimit` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of recent posts to return per profile when Results Type is Posts. The public no-login endpoint exposes roughly the 12 most recent posts per profile, so values above that are capped to whatever the profile returns.
## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):
Proxy settings. Instagram soft-blocks bare datacenter IPs, so a proxy is required and enabled by default. Apify Proxy (automatic) works reliably for this public endpoint.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"maxItems": 10,
"usernames": [
"nasa"
],
"resultsType": "posts",
"postsLimit": 12,
"proxyConfiguration": {
"useApifyProxy": 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 '' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
token: '',
});
// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
"maxItems": 10,
"usernames": [
"nasa"
],
"proxyConfiguration": {
"useApifyProxy": true
}
};
// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("scrapers_lat/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 '' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("")
# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
"maxItems": 10,
"usernames": ["nasa"],
"proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": True },
}
# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("scrapers_lat/instagram-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": 10,
"usernames": [
"nasa"
],
"proxyConfiguration": {
"useApifyProxy": true
}
}' |
apify call scrapers_lat/instagram-scraper --silent --output-dataset
```
## MCP server setup
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"apify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=scrapers_lat/instagram-scraper",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer "
]
}
}
}
```
## OpenAPI specification
```json
{
"openapi": "3.0.1",
"info": {
"title": "Instagram Profile & Posts Scraper",
"description": "Extract public Instagram profiles and recent posts by username without login.",
"version": "0.1",
"x-build-id": "CZCjsGMVfSf6PwM5G"
},
"servers": [
{
"url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
}
],
"paths": {
"/acts/scrapers_lat~instagram-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-scrapers_lat-instagram-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": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
},
"/acts/scrapers_lat~instagram-scraper/runs": {
"post": {
"operationId": "runs-sync-scrapers_lat-instagram-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$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": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
}
}
}
}
}
}
},
"/acts/scrapers_lat~instagram-scraper/run-sync": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-scrapers_lat-instagram-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$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": [
"usernames"
],
"properties": {
"maxItems": {
"title": "Max Items",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 1000000,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Maximum number of records to collect across all usernames. Optional."
},
"usernames": {
"title": "Usernames",
"type": "array",
"description": "Public Instagram usernames to scrape (without the @). For each username the scraper fetches the public profile and, when Results Type is set to Posts, its most recent public posts. Only public accounts are supported; private accounts return an error record.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
}
},
"resultsType": {
"title": "Results Type",
"enum": [
"profile",
"posts"
],
"type": "string",
"description": "Profile returns one record per username with the public profile fields. Posts returns one record per recent public post (each post record also carries its parent profile context).",
"default": "posts"
},
"postsLimit": {
"title": "Posts Per Profile",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 12,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Maximum number of recent posts to return per profile when Results Type is Posts. The public no-login endpoint exposes roughly the 12 most recent posts per profile, so values above that are capped to whatever the profile returns.",
"default": 12
},
"proxyConfiguration": {
"title": "Proxy Configuration",
"type": "object",
"description": "Proxy settings. Instagram soft-blocks bare datacenter IPs, so a proxy is required and enabled by default. Apify Proxy (automatic) works reliably for this public endpoint.",
"default": {
"useApifyProxy": true
}
}
}
},
"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
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
```