# Instagram Story API. Send a story link. Image or video file, from the story's link. We handle the proxies, blocks and platform changes. [Get API key](https://socialtap.dev/signup/?next=%2Fplayground%2F%3Fendpoint%3Dinstagram.story) ## Instagram Story API at a glance Returns a public Instagram story's image or video link, at the best quality Instagram serves, from the story's link or a highlight item's link. You also get its cover, size, length, author, publish time and, for videos, the view count. GET `/v1/instagram/story` [Read the API reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/instagram/story/index.md) - **1 credit** per request, $0.75–$1.97 per 1,000 requests - **22 typed fields** null when unknown - **`url`** is all it needs, e.g. `https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132` - **100 credits** free when you sign up, no card, so you can build before you spend ## Send one request. Get 22 fields back. Copy the request in your language, or hand it to your agent. Sign up for an API key and your first 100 credits are free. `$ npm install socialtap` `url = https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132` [Open in playground](https://socialtap.dev/playground/?endpoint=instagram.story) cURL: ```shell curl -G 'https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/story' \ --data-urlencode 'url=https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132' \ -H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY" ``` TypeScript SDK: ```typescript import { SocialTap } from "socialtap"; const client = new SocialTap(); // apiKey defaults to process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY const res = await client.instagram.story.get({ url: "https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132" }); console.log(res.data); console.log(res.credits.charged, res.meta.request_id); ``` Node.js (fetch): ```javascript const params = new URLSearchParams({ url: "https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132", }); const res = await fetch(`https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/story?${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/story", params={"url": "https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132"}, 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/stories/highlights/18023864549864045/?story_media_id=4012120567117354624_787132") req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/story?"+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&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=1&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&edm=SCRUBBED&ccb=SCRUBBED&oh=SCR…", "display_name": null, "id": "787132", "is_verified": true, "url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/", "username": "natgeo" }, "coauthors": [], "duration_ms": 9943, "hashtags": [], "id": "4012120567117354624", "is_nsfw": null, "is_pinned": null, "is_sponsored": false, "language": null, "media": [ { "alt_text": null, "duration_ms": 9943, "expires_at": "2026-10-25T18:00:00Z", "height": 1280, "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/858981307_2584622395349397_7318871625928867813_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e15_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ig_cache_key=NDAxMjEyMDU2NzExNzM1NDYyNA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=2…", "type": "video", "url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/o1/v/t2/f2/m78/AQPyy1nSmXOn73Q1QB0NVznCvo1RmXxggQMktLVDCIUMzEKO_6-0Qil9pON54uB0l9mHyflRzzzRAJIhXoDdyiKX2f5h01zsvcDNEWk.mp4?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&ccb=SCRUBBED&vs=S…", "width": 720 } ], "mentions": [], "metrics": { "comment_count": null, "like_count": null, "quote_count": null, "repost_count": null, "save_count": null, "share_count": null, "view_count": null }, "platform": "instagram", "platform_specific": { "instagram": { "is_ai_generated": false, "link": null, "location": null } }, "platform_type": "story", "published_at": "2026-10-20T13:14:30Z", "text": null, "thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.71878-15/858981307_2584622395349397_7318871625928867813_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e15_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ig_cache_key=NDAxMjEyMDU2NzExNzM1NDYyNA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=2…", "title": null, "type": "video", "unknown_fields": [], "url": "https://www.instagram.com/stories/natgeo/4012120567117354624/" }, "meta": { "request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f", "platform": "instagram", "source": "api", "is_cached": false, "credits_charged": 1, "latency_ms": 464, "fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z", "input": { "kind": "story", "id": "4012120567117354624", "url": "https://www.instagram.com/stories/natgeo/4012120567117354624/" }, "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/story/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 story URL: a story's own link (instagram.com/stories/\/\/, as the app shares it) or a highlight's item (instagram.com/stories/highlights/\/?story_media_id=\_\, or the highlight share link instagram.com/s/…?story_media_id=…). m.instagram.com links and tracking params are accepted. - ### 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 Story API. - ### Download a story from a shared link - ### Check what a campaign story showed - ### Moderate story media from shared links ## Good to know before you build. - Stories saved to a highlight are public, and this endpoint serves them reliably. A story only in the account's tray, or one that expired without being highlighted, needs a login and returns private_or_unavailable. - Media URLs are Instagram CDN links that expire at media\[\].expires_at, so download what you need before then. - Most story links are answered from the embed page, where published_at comes from the story's ID. It can differ from the posting time by a few seconds and is listed in approximate_fields, and hashtag and mention stickers are listed in unknown_fields. - Like and comment counts are null because stories show none in public. - A video's view count comes from the embed page, which answers a story's own link. A highlight item's link is answered from the highlight, with the exact publish time and stickers but view_count null. ## 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/story/index.md#pricing) · [How credits work](https://socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md) | Source | Price per successful request | Per 1,000 requests | | --- | --- | --- | | Any source | 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 Story API. More in the [API reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/instagram/story/index.md). **Which link do I send for a highlight?** The story item's own link. Open the highlight, go to the story and copy its link, which carries story_media_id. A highlight link without story_media_id is the whole highlight, which the Instagram Highlight Stories API returns. **Why is id a number and not a shortcode?** Because every link Instagram makes for a story uses its numeric ID. A shortcode opens no public page for a story. **How much does the Instagram Story 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 Post API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/post`) - [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/story/) · [Docs index for AI agents](https://socialtap.dev/llms.txt) · [All docs in one file](https://socialtap.dev/llms-full.txt)