Scraping Instagram Users By Keyword
Raw data collection. No assumed use case — returns the full dataset for downstream analysis.
Inputs
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
keywords | array | Optional | [] | Keywords to search for users |
handles | array | Optional | [] | Instagram usernames (without @) |
startUrls | array | Optional | [] | Instagram profile URLs |
userIds | array | Optional | [] | Instagram user IDs |
getFollowers | boolean | Optional | false | Extract follower lists for each profile |
getFollowings | boolean | Optional | false | Extract following lists for each profile |
maxItems | number | Optional | Unlimited | Maximum users to return |
customMapFunction | string | Optional | — | JavaScript function to transform each output object |
How to Run
Using run_actor.js (recommended)
# Quick answer (table)
node scripts/run_actor.js --actor "apidojo~instagram-user-scraper" --input '{"handles": ["natgeo"], "getFollowers": false, "maxItems": 50}'
# Save as CSV
node scripts/run_actor.js --actor "apidojo~instagram-user-scraper" --input '{"handles": ["natgeo"], "getFollowers": false, "maxItems": 50}' --output results.csv --format csv
# Save as JSON
node scripts/run_actor.js --actor "apidojo~instagram-user-scraper" --input '{"handles": ["natgeo"], "getFollowers": false, "maxItems": 50}' --output results.json --format json
REST API fallback
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/apidojo~instagram-user-scraper/runs" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"handles": ["natgeo"], "getFollowers": false, "maxItems": 50}'
If Apify MCP is available:
Use the Apify MCP call_actor tool with actor apidojo~instagram-user-scraper and the input above.
Output Fields
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
id | string | Instagram user ID |
username | string | @username |
fullName | string | Display name |
biography | string | Profile bio text |
externalUrl | string | Link in bio (website) |
followerCount | number | Follower count |
followingCount | number | Following count |
postCount | number | Total posts |
isVerified | boolean | Verification status |
isBusinessAccount | boolean | Business account flag |
businessCategoryName | string | Business category |
profilePicUrl | string | Profile picture URL |
profilePicUrlHd | string | High-resolution profile picture URL |
isPrivate | boolean | Private account flag |
publicEmail | string | Public email (if available) |
publicPhoneNumber | string | Public phone (if available) |
contactPhoneNumber | string | Contact phone (if available) |
Edge Cases
- Private account: Returns profile metadata but no followers/following.
- No public email: publicEmail field absent — normal for personal accounts.
- Large follower list: Set maxItems limit to avoid excessive cost.
- Account not found: Returns empty result. Check handle spelling.
- Keyword returns many: Use maxItems to cap results.