# Instagram Post API. Send a post or video link, or an ID.

Post, reel or carousel with media, likes and views. We handle the proxies, blocks and platform changes.

[Get API key](https://socialtap.dev/signup/?next=%2Fplayground%2F%3Fendpoint%3Dinstagram.post)

## Instagram Post API at a glance

Returns a public Instagram post, reel or carousel with its caption, author, media, and like, comment and view counts, from its link or shortcode. You also get hashtags, mentions, collaborators, the publish time, and every carousel item's image or video with its size, length and alt text.

GET `/v1/instagram/post`

[Read the API reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/instagram/post/index.md)

- **1 credit** per request, $0.75–$1.97 per 1,000 requests
- **22 typed fields** null when unknown
- **`url`** is all it needs, e.g. `https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/`
- **100 credits** free when you sign up, no card, so you can build before you spend

## Send one request. Get 22 fields back.

Copy the request in your language, or hand it to your agent. Sign up for an API key and your first 100 credits are free.

`$ npm install socialtap`

`url = https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/`

[Open in playground](https://socialtap.dev/playground/?endpoint=instagram.post)

cURL:

```shell
curl -G 'https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post' \
  --data-urlencode 'url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/' \
  -H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"
```

TypeScript SDK:

```typescript
import { SocialTap } from "socialtap";

const client = new SocialTap(); // apiKey defaults to process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY

const res = await client.instagram.post.get({ url: "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/" });
console.log(res.data);
console.log(res.credits.charged, res.meta.request_id);
```

Node.js (fetch):

```javascript
const params = new URLSearchParams({
  url: "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/",
});
const res = await fetch(`https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?${params}`, {
  headers: { "x-api-key": process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY ?? "" },
});
const body = await res.json();
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${body.error.code}: ${body.error.message}`);
const { data, meta } = body;
console.log(data, meta.credits_charged);
```

Python (requests):

```python
import os

import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post",
    params={"url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"},
    headers={"x-api-key": os.environ["SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"]},
)
body = res.json()
if not res.ok:
    raise RuntimeError(f"{body['error']['code']}: {body['error']['message']}")
data, meta = body["data"], body["meta"]
print(data, meta["credits_charged"])
```

Go (net/http):

```go
package main

import (
	"encoding/json"
	"fmt"
	"log"
	"net/http"
	"net/url"
	"os"
)

func main() {
	q := url.Values{}
	q.Set("url", "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/")
	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?"+q.Encode(), nil)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatal(err)
	}
	req.Header.Set("x-api-key", os.Getenv("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"))
	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatal(err)
	}
	defer res.Body.Close()
	var body struct {
		Data  json.RawMessage `json:"data"`
		Meta  map[string]any  `json:"meta"`
		Error *struct {
			Code    string `json:"code"`
			Message string `json:"message"`
		} `json:"error"`
	}
	if err := json.NewDecoder(res.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil {
		log.Fatal(err)
	}
	if body.Error != nil {
		log.Fatalf("%s: %s", body.Error.Code, body.Error.Message)
	}
	fmt.Println(string(body.Data), body.Meta["credits_charged"])
}
```

200 OK:

```json
{
  "data": {
    "approximate_fields": [],
    "author": {
      "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/683576066_18653628823019133_9051036240972105113_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=S…",
      "display_name": "National Geographic",
      "id": "787132",
      "is_verified": true,
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/",
      "username": "natgeo"
    },
    "coauthors": [
      {
        "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/293493364_162817252949028_8275460966213229030_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ss=7b6…",
        "display_name": "National Geographic Society",
        "id": "4757225830",
        "is_verified": true,
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeosociety/",
        "username": "natgeosociety"
      },
      {
        "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/11419091_505296402966021_797003013_a.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ss=7b689&oh=SCRUBBED&oe=F2A52380",
        "display_name": "Joel Sartore- Photo Ark",
        "id": "225429667",
        "is_verified": true,
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/joelsartore/",
        "username": "joelsartore"
      },
      {
        "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/681945023_18592998970017301_7811445524976503069_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=S…",
        "display_name": "National Geographic Animals",
        "id": "1029649300",
        "is_verified": true,
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeoanimals/",
        "username": "natgeoanimals"
      }
    ],
    "duration_ms": 23744,
    "hashtags": [
      "PhotoArk"
    ],
    "id": "De1S3KpCXf0",
    "is_nsfw": null,
    "is_pinned": null,
    "is_sponsored": null,
    "language": null,
    "media": [
      {
        "alt_text": "Video by National Geographic on October 23, 2026. May be an image of snail and text.",
        "duration_ms": 23744,
        "expires_at": "2026-10-25T18:00:00Z",
        "height": 1920,
        "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/862543567_18711062458019133_8845814561108513720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e15_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ig_cache_key=NDAxNDE5NzU5ODcwNDk5MDE5NjE4NzExMDYyNDUyMDE5MTMz.3-ccb7-5&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=…",
        "type": "video",
        "url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/o1/v/t2/f2/m86/AQO0Zc3E_eoYHXxPOVvPDNzjiHnCGoREl8vxeookIy4831a0VLAN6T9CITX0dyH2cQS6Dy0fs5SGxYC42fWpG2JeAvlnP9yrsgmHUk8.mp4?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&ccb=SCRUBBED&vs=S…",
        "width": 1080
      }
    ],
    "mentions": [
      "joelsartore",
      "natgeoanimals",
      "natgeosociety"
    ],
    "metrics": {
      "comment_count": 238,
      "like_count": 68253,
      "quote_count": null,
      "repost_count": null,
      "save_count": null,
      "share_count": null,
      "view_count": 759188
    },
    "platform": "instagram",
    "platform_specific": {
      "instagram": {
        "is_ai_generated": null,
        "link": null,
        "location": null
      }
    },
    "platform_type": "reel",
    "published_at": "2026-10-23T10:01:35Z",
    "text": "Warning—looking at nudibranchs may cause excessive awe. @joelsartore loves these little creatures, and so do we. 💛🧡🩷\n\nWe’re celebrating 20 years of the National Geographic #PhotoArk, an audacious project documenting the world's incredible biodiversity and highlighting the importa…",
    "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/862543567_18711062458019133_8845814561108513720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc…",
    "title": null,
    "type": "video",
    "unknown_fields": [],
    "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f",
    "platform": "instagram",
    "source": "page",
    "is_cached": false,
    "credits_charged": 1,
    "latency_ms": 986,
    "fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z",
    "input": {
      "kind": "post",
      "id": "De1S3KpCXf0",
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"
    },
    "credits_remaining": 9999,
    "client_request_id": null,
    "warnings": []
  }
}
```

Long arrays and strings are shortened here. Real responses are complete.

## One schema on 21 platforms.

The [response reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/instagram/post/index.md#response) lists every field, its type and when it is `null`. [See the full schema](https://socialtap.dev/resources/post/index.md).

- ### Null means unknown

  A field Instagram doesn't show is null, never zero or an empty string, so a real zero always means zero.
- ### What it accepts

  Instagram post, reel or carousel URL (instagram.com/p/…, /reel/…, /reels/…, /tv/…, /\<username>/p/…, m.instagram.com, instagr.am, instagram.com/share/… links) or a raw shortcode.
- ### Write one parser

  Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and 18 more platforms answer in these fields, so the code that reads one reads them all.

- **`platform`string**: Platform ID (tiktok, youtube, …).
- **`id`string**: Platform-native post ID (string; Instagram shortcode, Reddit with its t3_ prefix).
- **`url`string**: Canonical post URL.
- **`type`string**: Normalized content shape. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other.
- **`platform_type`string**: The platform's own product label, lowercase (reel, short, story, live, tweet, …).
- **`title`string**: Headline (YouTube title, Reddit title); null on caption-only platforms.
- **`text`string**: Caption, description or body as plain text.
- **`language`string**: BCP-47 language of text, when the platform states it.

Live data from 33 platforms.

[TikTok](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok/index.md) · [Instagram](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/index.md) · [Facebook](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/index.md) · [YouTube](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/index.md) · [Reddit](https://socialtap.dev/apis/reddit/index.md) · [Threads](https://socialtap.dev/apis/threads/index.md) · [Spotify](https://socialtap.dev/apis/spotify/index.md) · [Amazon](https://socialtap.dev/apis/amazon/index.md) · [Apple Music](https://socialtap.dev/apis/applemusic/index.md) · [Pinterest](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pinterest/index.md) · [Rumble](https://socialtap.dev/apis/rumble/index.md) · [X](https://socialtap.dev/apis/x/index.md) · [Bluesky](https://socialtap.dev/apis/bluesky/index.md) · [Twitch](https://socialtap.dev/apis/twitch/index.md) · [LinkedIn](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkedin/index.md) · [Telegram](https://socialtap.dev/apis/telegram/index.md) · [TikTok Shop](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktokshop/index.md) · [Kwai](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kwai/index.md) · [Snapchat](https://socialtap.dev/apis/snapchat/index.md) · [SoundCloud](https://socialtap.dev/apis/soundcloud/index.md) · [Truth Social](https://socialtap.dev/apis/truthsocial/index.md) · [Kick](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kick/index.md) · [Komi](https://socialtap.dev/apis/komi/index.md) · [Lnk.Bio](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkbio/index.md) · [Linkme](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkme/index.md) · [Linktree](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linktree/index.md) · [Pillar](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pillar/index.md) · [TikTok Ad Library](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok-ad-library/index.md) · [Facebook Ad Library](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook-ad-library/index.md) · [Facebook Events](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook-events/index.md) · [Facebook Marketplace](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook-marketplace/index.md) · [Google Ads Transparency Center](https://socialtap.dev/apis/google-ads-transparency/index.md) · [LinkedIn Ad Library](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkedin-ad-library/index.md)

## What teams build with the Instagram Post API.

- ### Track engagement on influencer posts
- ### Monitor competitors' reels and campaigns
- ### Verify sponsored-post deliverables
- ### Archive post media and captions

## Good to know before you build.

- view_count is set for single videos and reels only, because Instagram shows no views for photos and carousels.
- like_count and view_count are null when the owner hides them.
- If Instagram's embed page, the only logged-out source of views, fails or omits them, view_count is null with a partial_data warning.
- Share and save counts, pinned state, sponsorship labels and the caption's language are null: Instagram doesn't show them logged out.
- Media URLs are Instagram CDN links that expire at media\[\].expires_at, so download what you need before then.
- Private and age-restricted posts return private_or_unavailable, and deleted ones not_found.

## 1 credit per request. Failed requests are free.

Buy credits once and spend them on any endpoint, on any platform.

[Plans and packs](https://socialtap.dev/pricing/index.md) · [How this endpoint is priced](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/instagram/post/index.md#pricing) · [How credits work](https://socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md)

| Source | Price per successful request | Per 1,000 requests |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Public page `page` | 1 credit | $0.75–$1.97 |

- Cache hits are free.
- Credits from packs and top-ups never expire.
- A monthly plan's credits are spent first, and what is left of them ends at each renewal.
- Prices exclude tax: sales tax is added at checkout where it applies.
- Outside the US, plans and packs are sold to businesses: checkout asks for your VAT, GST or other business tax ID.

## Questions about the Instagram Post API.

More in the [API reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/instagram/post/index.md).

**Does it return every image of a carousel?**

Yes. media\[\] has one entry per carousel item, in display order, each with its own link, size and, for videos, length.

**Can I download the reel?**

Yes. media\[\].url is a direct link to the video file. It's a CDN link that expires at media\[\].expires_at.

**Who is in mentions?**

Accounts @mentioned in the caption, then accounts tagged in the media, without duplicates. A collab post's collaborators are in coauthors.

**How much does the Instagram Post API cost?**

A request costs 1 credit. SocialTap credits cost $0.75–$1.97 per 1,000, depending on the plan or pack.

Other platforms

## Posts on 20 more platforms.

- [TikTok Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/tiktok/post`)
- [Facebook Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/facebook/post`)
- [YouTube Video API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/youtube/post`)
- [Reddit Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/reddit/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/reddit/post`)
- [Threads Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/threads/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/threads/post`)
- [Spotify Track API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/spotify/track/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/spotify/track`)
- [Amazon Shop Posts API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/amazon/shop_posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/amazon/shop_posts`)
- [Apple Music Track API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/applemusic/track/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/applemusic/track`)
- [Pinterest Pin API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pinterest/pin/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/pinterest/pin`)
- [Rumble Video API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/rumble/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/rumble/post`)
- [X (Twitter) Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/x/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/x/post`)
- [Bluesky Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/bluesky/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/bluesky/post`)
- [Twitch Video and Clip API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/twitch/video/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/twitch/video`)
- [LinkedIn Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkedin/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/linkedin/post`)
- [Telegram Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/telegram/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/telegram/post`)
- [Kwai Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kwai/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/kwai/post`)
- [Snapchat Spotlight API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/snapchat/spotlight/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/snapchat/spotlight`)
- [SoundCloud Track API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/soundcloud/track/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/soundcloud/track`)
- [Truth Social Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/truthsocial/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/truthsocial/post`)
- [Kick Clip API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kick/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/kick/post`)

More Instagram

## Instagram API. 28 endpoints, one key.

- [Instagram Story API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/story/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/story`)
- [Instagram Posts API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/posts`)
- [Instagram Reels API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/reels/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/reels`)
- [Instagram Search API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/search_posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/search_posts`)
- [Instagram Audio Reels API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/sound_posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/sound_posts`)
- [Instagram Hashtag Posts API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/hashtag_posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/hashtag_posts`)
- [Instagram Location Posts API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/place_posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/place_posts`)
- [Instagram Trending Reels API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/trending_posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/trending_posts`)
- [Instagram Highlight Stories API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/playlist_stories/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/playlist_stories`)
- [Instagram Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/profile`)
- [Instagram Similar Accounts API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/similar_profiles/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/similar_profiles`)
- [Instagram Comment API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/comment/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/comment`)
- [Instagram Comments API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/comments/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/comments`)
- [Instagram Reels Transcript API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/transcript/index.md) (From 1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/transcript`)
- [Instagram Hashtag API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/hashtag/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/hashtag`)
- [Instagram Hashtag Search API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/search_hashtags/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/search_hashtags`)
- [Instagram User Search API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/search_profiles/index.md) (From 1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/search_profiles`)
- [Instagram Audio Search API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/search_sounds/index.md) (From 1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/search_sounds`)
- [Instagram Location Search API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/search_places/index.md) (From 1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/search_places`)
- [Instagram Highlights API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/highlights/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/highlights`)
- [Instagram Engagement API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/engagement/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/engagement`)
- [Instagram Search Suggestions API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/search_suggestions/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/instagram/search_suggestions`)
- [Instagram Location API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/place/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/place`)
- [Instagram Audio API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/sound/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/sound`)
- [Instagram Topic API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/topic/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/topic`)
- [Instagram Embed API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/embed/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/embed`)
- [Instagram Username Availability API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/username/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/username`)

## Try it on a link you already have.

Paste it in the playground, or copy the request into your code.

100free credits

- No credit card
- Failed requests are free
- Works on all 218 endpoints

[Start for free](https://socialtap.dev/signup/) [Read the docs](https://socialtap.dev/docs/index.md)

---

[HTML version](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/post/) · [Docs index for AI agents](https://socialtap.dev/llms.txt) · [All docs in one file](https://socialtap.dev/llms-full.txt)
