# Instagram Audio API

Instagram

Returns an Instagram audio, a licensed song or a creator's original audio, with the exact number of reels using it, from its link or ID. You also get its title, artist and their account, length, cover art, the audio file, its Spotify link, explicit and trending flags, and for original audio when it was made and the reel it comes from.

GET `/v1/instagram/sound`

## Example

cURL:

```shell
curl -G 'https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/sound' \
  --data-urlencode 'url=https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/' \
  -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.sound.get({ url: "https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/" });
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/reels/audio/822282777968975/",
});
const res = await fetch(`https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/sound?${params}`, {
  headers: { "x-api-key": process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY ?? "" },
});
const body = await res.json();
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${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/sound",
    params={"url": "https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/"},
    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/reels/audio/822282777968975/")
	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/sound?"+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_name": "BTS",
    "authors": [
      {
        "avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/749652868_18576613621075834_3305084378993563391_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": "BTS official",
        "id": "2274763833",
        "is_verified": true,
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/bts.bighitofficial/",
        "username": "bts.bighitofficial"
      }
    ],
    "cover_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/425756227_90027415521163_4181206696607213053_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&_nc_gid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ss=7b689&oh=SCRUBBED&oe…",
    "duration_ms": 231859,
    "id": "822282777968975",
    "is_original": false,
    "metrics": {
      "post_count": 14305
    },
    "platform": "instagram",
    "platform_specific": {
      "instagram": {
        "asset_id": "253176454123690",
        "created_at": null,
        "is_explicit": false,
        "is_lyrics_shown": true,
        "is_trending": false,
        "source_post": null
      }
    },
    "play_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQPgiSJyoc_dPI9Ax2JiCvLJXX2L2GgcIavzdneCJUUaTiuIWF_hjtybu9_eoeJwWUaWGOhSKsS-7SdYN1bakLs7.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=1&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&ccb=SCRUBBED&vs=SCRUBBED&…",
    "streaming_links": [
      {
        "service": "spotify",
        "url": "https://open.spotify.com/track/3wyrhwPpV8uhMMEms4vG3X"
      }
    ],
    "title": "Not Today",
    "unknown_fields": [],
    "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/"
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f",
    "platform": "instagram",
    "source": "api",
    "is_cached": false,
    "credits_charged": 1,
    "latency_ms": 898,
    "fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z",
    "input": {
      "kind": "sound",
      "id": "822282777968975",
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/"
    },
    "credits_remaining": 9999,
    "client_request_id": null,
    "warnings": []
  }
}
```

Long arrays and strings are shortened for display; real responses are complete.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Good to know**
>
> - A song's audio asset ID is answered as the song, so data.id is always the audio page's ID, which may differ from the ID sent.
> - When Instagram has merged an original audio with other audio and its page shows another one instead, the answer is private_or_unavailable, never the other audio. The error message names the audio shown.
> - Original audio has no cover art, lyrics flag or streaming link, so those are null or empty. Its creator's picture stands in for cover art (authors\[0\].avatar_url).
> - For original audio, platform_specific.instagram has when it was made and the reel it comes from (source_post, which the Instagram Post API takes). Both are null for a licensed song.
> - cover_url and play_url are signed Instagram links that expire.

## Authorizations

`x-api-key`stringheaderrequired

Your API key. [Authentication](https://socialtap.dev/docs/authentication/index.md)

## Query parameters

| Name | Type | Description | Example |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `url` required | `string`<br>max 2,048 chars | An Instagram audio link (the audio page's instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/, as a reel's audio link or the app's share sheet gives it) or the audio's numeric ID (the number in that link: a song's audio cluster or asset ID, or an original audio's ID). | `https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/822282777968975/` |

`url` takes Instagram sound links; another kind of link, or another platform's, fails free with [`invalid_input`](https://socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#invalid_input). Unknown parameters are rejected with a suggestion, never ignored ([Requests](https://socialtap.dev/docs/requests/index.md)).

**Parameters every endpoint accepts**

| Name | Type | Description | Example |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `max_age` optional | `integer`<br>min 0 | Accept a cached response up to this many seconds old. Cache hits cost 0 credits. Omit to always fetch fresh. The Cache-Control: max-age=N request header is equivalent; max_age wins when both are sent. | — |
| `fields` optional | `string` | Return only these fields of each item: comma-separated paths in the schema's notation (id,text,metrics.view_count,segments\[\].text; a parent path keeps the whole object). Unknown paths are rejected. Applied after the cache, so it changes neither the price nor cache hits; page and meta are always returned whole. | — |

## Response

### 200

`{data, meta}`. `data` is a [sound](https://socialtap.dev/resources/sound/index.md) object; `meta` describes the request ([meta](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/index.md#meta)). Fields only Instagram has are under `platform_specific.instagram`.

| Field | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `data.platform` | `string` | Platform ID (tiktok, instagram, …). |
| `data.id` | `string` | Platform-native sound ID (string), the one in its page's URL; equals the ID a post's sound reference carries. |
| `data.url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Canonical page of the sound, listing the posts that use it; null where the platform has none (Facebook). |
| `data.title` | `string` or `null` | Sound or track title as shown (an original sound's generated title, e.g. "original sound - \<name>", included). |
| `data.author_name` | `string` or `null` | Who the platform credits for the sound: a track's artist(s) as one display string, or the creator's name for an original sound. |
| `data.authors` | `object[]` | The platform accounts behind author_name (a track's artists, or the creator of an original sound), in the platform's order; \[\] when none is linked. |
| `data.authors[].id` | `string` or `null` | Platform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known. |
| `data.authors[].username` | `string` or `null` | Handle without the @; null when the account has none. |
| `data.authors[].display_name` | `string` or `null` | Display name shown on the profile. |
| `data.authors[].url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Canonical profile URL. |
| `data.authors[].avatar_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Profile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. |
| `data.authors[].is_verified` | `boolean` or `null` | Platform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge. |
| `data.is_original` | `boolean` or `null` | An original sound a creator uploaded or recorded (false: a catalogue or licensed track). |
| `data.duration_ms` | `integer` or `null` | Length of the audio the platform serves for the sound, in milliseconds (TikTok: the usable clip, often shorter than the full song). |
| `data.cover_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Cover art or thumbnail image URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. |
| `data.play_url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | Audio file URL (a preview where the platform serves only one); signed links expire within hours; null when not exposed. |
| `data.streaming_links` | `object[]` | The same track on music streaming services, as the platform links it; \[\] when none (always for original sounds). |
| `data.streaming_links[].service` | `string` | The streaming service. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other.<br>One of `spotify`, `apple_music` |
| `data.streaming_links[].url` | `string` (uri) | The track's public page on the service. |
| `data.metrics` | `object` | Counts at fetch time; null = hidden or not exposed, 0 = zero. |
| `data.metrics.post_count` | `integer` or `null` | Posts using the sound (TikTok videos, Instagram and Facebook reels, YouTube Shorts), as the platform counts them. |
| `data.platform_specific` | `object` | Fields only this platform has, under its ID (platform_specific.\<platform>); each null when unknown. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram` | `object` or `null` | An Instagram audio's own fields. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.asset_id` | `string` or `null` | ID of a licensed track's audio asset (not the sound's page ID); null for original audio. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.is_explicit` | `boolean` or `null` | Instagram marks the track explicit. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.is_trending` | `boolean` or `null` | Instagram labels the audio trending in reels. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.is_lyrics_shown` | `boolean` or `null` | Instagram has the licensed track's lyrics and shows them with it; null for original audio. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.created_at` | `string` (date-time) or `null` | When the creator's original audio was created (RFC 3339 UTC): when the reel it comes from was published; null for a licensed track. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.source_post` | `object` or `null` | The reel an original audio comes from (the first published with it); null for a licensed track. |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.source_post.id` | `string` or `null` | The reel's shortcode: its post ID (equals post.id of instagram.post). |
| `data.platform_specific.instagram.source_post.url` | `string` (uri) or `null` | The reel's link (instagram.com/reel/\<id>/). |
| `data.approximate_fields` | `string[]` | JSON paths of values rounded by the platform or parsed from display text (e.g. metrics.post_count from "80K reels"). A list path means the list may be incomplete. \[\] when all exact. |
| `data.unknown_fields` | `string[]` | JSON paths of lists whose \[\] means unknown rather than none (a source that cannot see them); null already means unknown for every other field. \[\] when every list is known. |

not_found and private_or_unavailable are item-level: the request was fine, the item can't be returned.

### 400

400 Bad Request: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `invalid_input` | 400 | No | A parameter is missing or malformed, or the link is not one this endpoint takes. | Fix the parameter named in param as the message says. For a link of the wrong kind, call an endpoint listed in details.endpoints, when there is one. |

### 401

401 Unauthorized: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `unauthorized` | 401 | No | The x-api-key header is missing, or its key is unknown or revoked. On the dashboard's routes: the session cookie is missing or expired. | Send a valid API key in the x-api-key header. No key yet? A person gets one at details.signup_url; an AI agent follows details.agent_auth_url. |

### 402

402 Payment Required: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `insufficient_credits` | 402 | No | The account does not have enough credits for this request. | Have a person buy credits at details.purchase_url (or make them a checkout link with details.checkout), then repeat the request. Do not retry automatically. |
| `spend_limit_reached` | 402 | No | The API key reached its spend limit for this period. The account may still have credits. | Wait until details.resets_at, or raise the key's spend limit (PATCH /v1/api_keys/{id}). Do not retry automatically. |

### 403

403 Forbidden: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `forbidden` | 403 | No | The API key is valid but may not make this request, and details.reason says why: the account is suspended, the key lacks the route's scope, waits for its owner to confirm it by email, has expired, or was used from an IP outside its allowlist, or a rotated key's previous secret was used for a call that needs the admin scope. A running job stops with it too when its account is suspended or the key that created it is revoked or expires. It is about the key, never the item: a private item is private_or_unavailable, also 403, so branch on the code. | Act on details.reason. suspended: contact [support](mailto:support@socialtap.dev). scope: use a key with details.required_scope. previous_secret: use the new secret. key_pending: have the owner open the emailed link. key_expired or key_revoked: create a new key. ip_not_allowed: call from an allowed IP. |
| `private_or_unavailable` | 403 | No | The item exists but is not public: it is private, age- or region-restricted, or needs a login to view. It shares 403 with forbidden (which is about the key), so branch on the code. | Only public items can be fetched. Do not retry. |

### 404

404 Not Found: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `not_found` | 404 | No | The item does not exist or was deleted. On GET /v1/requests/{id}/response: the response was not kept (details.reason says why). | Check the link or ID. Do not retry. |

### 429

429 Too Many Requests: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `rate_limited` | 429 | Yes, later | The account passed its runaway-protection ceiling: a high per-account limit that stops a broken client loop (plans have no rate limit). Requests without an API key (signup, the MCP server's tool listing and find_endpoint) are limited per IP address instead. It also stops an account whose failed requests in the last hour cost far more than its successful ones paid for: failures are free within a limit (the message says so), and successes raise it. | Wait the seconds in the retry-after header, then retry. If your steady traffic needs more, ask [support](mailto:support@socialtap.dev) to raise the ceiling; without an API key, send one. |

### 500

500 Internal Error: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `internal` | 500 | Yes, later | An unexpected error on SocialTap's side. | Retry with backoff. If it keeps happening, contact [support](mailto:support@socialtap.dev) with the request_id. |

### 502

502 Bad Gateway: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `upstream_error` | 502 | Yes, later | The platform failed, or answered with something we could not read. | Retry with backoff. Failed requests are free. |

### 503

503 Unavailable: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing.

| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `upstream_blocked` | 503 | Yes, later | The platform refused every attempt, our own retries included. | Retry later with backoff. Failed requests are free. |
| `overloaded` | 503 | Yes, later | SocialTap was at capacity, or paused by its operators, and did not start the request. Nothing was fetched or charged. | Retry after the seconds in the retry-after header. Failed requests are free. |

## Pricing

From **1 credit** per request. Charged only for successful requests. Errors are free. The price depends on the source that produced the result, reported as `meta.source`.

| Source | Price per successful request | Per 1,000 requests |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Any source | 1 credit | $0.75–$1.97 |

**Balance, sources and what you were charged**

Your balance must be at least **1 credit** to start a request; with less, it is refused with [`insufficient_credits`](https://socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#insufficient_credits) (HTTP 402) and costs nothing. Only that minimum is set aside when the request starts.

| meta.source | Source | What it means |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `api` | Platform API | The platform's public, logged-out API. |

`meta.credits_charged` and the `x-credits-charged` header show what you paid. [How credits work](https://socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md) · [Packs](https://socialtap.dev/pricing/index.md)

Endpoint ID `instagram.sound` · operationId `instagram.sound.get` · [Product overview](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/sound/index.md)

---

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