# Instagram Profile Scraper (`social-fetch/instagram-profile-scraper`) Actor

Scrape Instagram profiles by handle: followers, bio, avatar, verification, and metrics. Export data, run via API, schedule jobs, and pipe results into CRM or analytics tools.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/social-fetch/instagram-profile-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Social Fetch](https://apify.com/social-fetch) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media, Automation, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 6 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.98 / 1,000 profile 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.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — 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 Profile Scraper

Stop paying $10 per 1,000 profiles for slow, browser-based Instagram scrapers that break on every UI change. This Actor calls a maintained data API directly — no browsers, no proxies, no cookies — and returns clean, structured profile rows at a flat $1.98 per 1,000.

Followers, bio, avatar, verification, and post counts for any public Instagram account — paste up to 1,000 @handles, export rows.

🔥 **$1.98 per 1,000 rows** · up to **1,000** handles per run · ⚡ API-based — no browser, no proxies · [integration guide](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/integrations/apify)

### 💡 Why this scraper

- 💵 **Flat $1.98 per 1,000 rows** — about 80% below typical Instagram scrapers on the Store, with platform API usage included in the price.
- ⚡ **API calls, not browser automation** — no headless Chrome to babysit, no proxies to rent, no cookies or logins. Runs start fast and fit in 256–512 MB of memory.
- 📦 **Structured rows, every time** — each dataset row is the same [Social Fetch API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) envelope (`data`, `meta`, and `lookupStatus` where applicable), so your parsing never breaks when Instagram redesigns its UI.
- 🔁 **Nothing locked to Apify** — the same endpoint is available on the [Social Fetch API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) with an `sfk_` key when you outgrow Actor runs.

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

### 🎯 What can you do with it

| You need | Give the Actor | You get |
|---|---|---|
| Enrich a CRM or outreach list | Up to 1,000 @handles per run | Live follower counts, bios, and profile links per contact |
| Track competitors weekly | A scheduled run with a fixed handle list | Follower, following, and post-count deltas over time |
| Vet influencers before a campaign | Your candidate shortlist | Verification status, audience size, and private-account flags |
| Feed dashboards or a warehouse | Runs triggered via Make, Zapier, n8n, or webhooks | Clean JSON/CSV rows in a stable envelope |

### 📦 Data you get

**Identity**

- Handle, display name, and profile URL
- Bio and avatar
- Verification badge

**Audience metrics**

- Followers and following counts
- Total post count

**Status**

- Private-account flag
- `lookupStatus` per row (`found` / `not_found` / `private`)

### 🚀 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.

### 🧪 Input recipes

- **`handles`** — Instagram @usernames or profile URLs (with or without @)

#### Single profile lookup

Start with one handle to see the exact row shape.

```json
{
  "handles": [
    "nike"
  ]
}
```

#### Batch enrichment

Paste up to 1,000 handles — one dataset row each.

```json
{
  "handles": [
    "nike",
    "natgeo",
    "spotify"
  ]
}
```

### 📤 Example output

```json
{
  "data": {
    "lookupStatus": "found",
    "profile": {
      "platform": "instagram",
      "handle": "nike",
      "displayName": "Nike",
      "bio": "Just Do It.",
      "avatarUrl": "https://scontent-phl2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/551608484_18567162979020081_113546808487272…",
      "verified": true,
      "profileUrl": "https://www.instagram.com/nike/",
      "privateAccount": false
    },
    "metrics": {
      "followers": 291682804,
      "following": 264,
      "posts": 1667
    },
    "recentPosts": [
      {
        "id": "3935562768090283565",
        "shortcode": "Dad7XxvRj4t",
        "mediaType": "image",
        "caption": "The story continues @cristiano",
        "takenAt": 1783375874,
        "commentCount": 16844,
        "likeCount": 1839927,
        "displayUrl": "https://scontent-phl2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/741481390_18641880778020081_687518067979177…",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-phl2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/741481390_18641880778020081_687518067979177…",
        "dimensions": {
          "width": 1080,
          "height": 1440
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  "meta": {
    "requestId": "req_c223d818-48c5-48f0-8680-bcec1b8530e7",
    "version": "v1"
  }
}
```

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

### 💵 Pricing & cost control

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

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

**Keeping costs predictable**

- Pay-per-event pricing: you pay for results, not platform usage — no compute or proxy surcharges on top.
- A run can never bill more rows than the handles you submit (up to 1,000), so the ceiling on a run's cost is known before you press Start.
- Completed lookups are billed even when the result is `not_found` or `private` — the work was done, and the row tells you why.

### 🧩 Related actors

- [Instagram Post Scraper](https://apify.com/social-fetch/instagram-post-scraper) — post and reel metadata by URL

### 🔗 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 — or call the [Social Fetch API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) directly.

### 🛠️ Troubleshooting

| Symptom | What's happening |
|---|---|
| A row says `"lookupStatus": "not_found"` | The Instagram content doesn't exist, was deleted, or the input has a typo. The lookup completed, so the row is billed — it echoes the input value so you can spot the culprit. |
| A row says `"lookupStatus": "private"` | The account restricts public data, so only limited fields come back. The row still confirms the account exists and is private. |
| Run fails with `No dataset items were produced` | The input list was empty or no lookups completed. Copy a recipe above and swap in your own values. |

### ❓ FAQ

- **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 can I put in `handles`?** @usernames or full profile URLs — e.g. `nike` or `https://www.instagram.com/nike/`.
- **Do I need an Instagram account or session cookies?** No. Lookups run server-side against public data — nothing to log in to and no account of yours at risk.
- **How fresh is the data?** Each row is fetched live at run time. Schedule the Actor to build a time series of follower growth.
- **Is it legal to scrape Instagram?** This Actor reads only publicly available data — no logins, no private accounts, nothing beyond what Instagram shows any visitor. How you store and use the data is your responsibility; review Instagram's terms and the laws that apply to your use case.

### 🤝 Support & more

- [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
- Missing a field or hit a snag? Open an issue on this Actor's **Issues** tab or email <support@socialfetch.dev>.

# Actor input Schema

## `handles` (type: `array`):

One or more Instagram usernames (with or without @) or profile URLs.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "handles": [
    "nike"
  ]
}
```

# 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 = {
    "handles": [
        "nike"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("social-fetch/instagram-profile-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 = { "handles": ["nike"] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("social-fetch/instagram-profile-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 '{
  "handles": [
    "nike"
  ]
}' |
apify call social-fetch/instagram-profile-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

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

```

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/Yp2zLvXdxoebommwl/builds/tE2LA6e7dfYunmaLH/openapi.json