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npx skills add https://github.com/apidojo-io/apidojo-skills --skill scraping-instagram-posts-by-hashtagBefore you start
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Original skill document
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Scraping Instagram Posts by Hashtag
Raw Instagram post dataset for any hashtag. Returns post-level metadata including engagement and author info.
Prerequisites
APIFY_TOKENenvironment variable set- Optional: Apify MCP server installed
Inputs
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
startUrls | array | Optional | [] | Instagram hashtag search URLs |
keyword | string | Optional | — | Hashtag keyword to search (e.g. fitness) |
getReels | boolean | Optional | false | Include Reels in results |
getPosts | boolean | Optional | true | Include regular posts in results |
until | string | Optional | — | Date filter (YYYY-MM-DD) |
maxItems | number | Optional | Unlimited | Maximum posts to return |
customMapFunction | string | Optional | — | JavaScript function to transform each output object |
Workflow
Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Normalize hashtag input
- [ ] Step 2: Run instagram-scraper
- [ ] Step 3: Poll for SUCCEEDED
- [ ] Step 4: Deliver post datasetStep 2: Run the Actor
Recommended — run_actor.js (handles waiting, output, and file saving automatically):
bash
# Quick answer (prints table to chat)
node scripts/run_actor.js \
--actor "apidojo~instagram-hashtag-scraper" \
--input '{"param": "value"}'
# Save as CSV
node scripts/run_actor.js \
--actor "apidojo~instagram-hashtag-scraper" \
--input '{"param": "value"}' \
--output YYYY-MM-DD_results.csv --format csv
# Save as JSON
node scripts/run_actor.js \
--actor "apidojo~instagram-hashtag-scraper" \
--input '{"param": "value"}' \
--output YYYY-MM-DD_results.json --format jsonAPIFY_TOKENmust be set in environment or.envfile.
If Apify MCP is available:
Tool: apify:run-actor
Actor: "apidojo~instagram-hashtag-scraper"
Input:
{
"keywords": ["tag1", "tag2"],
"maxItems": 100,
"mediaType": "all"
}REST API fallback:
bash
curl -X POST \
"https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/apidojo~instagram-hashtag-scraper/runs?token=$APIFY_TOKEN" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"keywords": ["tag1"], "maxItems": 100}'Save id as RUN_ID. Poll until status = SUCCEEDED:
bash
curl "https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-runs/$RUN_ID?token=$APIFY_TOKEN" | grep '"status"'Fetch results:
bash
curl "https://api.apify.com/v2/actor-runs/$RUN_ID/dataset/items?token=$APIFY_TOKEN&format=json"Step 3: Handle Edge Cases
- Banned hashtag: Instagram hides some hashtags — returns 0. Try parent category.
- Only top posts returned: Instagram limits hashtag feeds; very popular tags may return only top posts.
- Private account posts: Post metadata visible but media URL may be restricted.
Output Format
# Instagram Post Dataset: #<hashtag>
Posts collected: N | Media type: all/image/video
| Post ID | Author | Caption (truncated) | Likes | Comments | Type | Timestamp |
|---------|--------|---------------------|-------|----------|------|-----------|
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Available fields: id, ownerUsername, caption, likesCount, commentsCount, type,
timestamp, url, mediaUrl, hashtags, mentionsTroubleshooting
0 results: Hashtag may be banned or restricted by Instagram. Rate limiting: Keep maxItems ≤ 200 per run; space runs 5 minutes apart.
