Instagram Reels Transcript API

Use the Apify Actor as an Instagram transcript API: submit public Instagram Reel and video URLs to get transcript text and timestamped segments when available, plus structured post metadata. The Actor performs collection and transcription; this repository provides SDKs, runnable examples, and integration guides.

Try on Apify · View Pricing · Developer Quick Start

Try it without code

You can try the Actor in Apify Console without setting up a local project:

1. Open the Actor on Apify and select Try for free.
2. In the Input form, enter one public Instagram Reel URL in Video URL.
3. Select Start, then open the Dataset in the Storage tab to inspect or export the result.

Usage may incur charges. See current pricing on Apify.

What you can build

Use case	What the Actor provides	Next step
Competitor content analysis	Transcript text, timestamped segments, and post metadata when returned	Use a downstream LLM to study hooks, messaging, and CTAs; see AI agent use cases.
Bulk transcription	Submit multiple supported URLs in one Native Bulk Run	Use the returned structured items in your research workflow; see batch processing.
AI agent and MCP workflows	Structured Actor results through an Apify MCP integration path	Connect a supported MCP client and pass results to your AI workflow; see MCP guides.
Content repurposing	Transcript text and segments when available	Give the result to a separate AI or content tool to draft summaries, articles, or scripts; see prompt recipes.
Creator and profile research	Public post metadata from Profile mode	Use profile metadata for creator and competitor research; see Profile mode fields.

Example output

Illustrative field shape only; this is not a recorded Actor response. Fields vary by mode and result.

{
  "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/<shortcode>/",
  "code": "<shortcode>",
  "text": "<transcript text, when available>",
  "segments": [
    { "start": 0.0, "end": 2.4, "text": "<spoken segment>" }
  ],
  "errMsg": ""
}

Transcript text and segments depend on the returned item; inspect errMsg and the actual fields instead of inferring success from the Run status. The field reference describes known and uncertain fields.

Supported input modes

Choose one Actor input mode per Run:

Mode	Input	Purpose
Single Transcript	videoUrl	One supported public video URL
Native Bulk	bulkUrls	Multiple supported URLs in one Actor Run
Profile Metadata	usernames	Public post metadata only; no transcripts

CSV Batch is a repository client workflow, not a fourth Actor input mode; supported clients create separate Runs for rows when execution is enabled. See input and output fields and Native Bulk vs CSV.

Use it from code

This repository includes examples for Python, Node.js, Go, Java, Rust, and cURL:

Language	Guide
Python	Python examples and client
Node.js	Node.js examples and client
Go	Go examples and client
Java	Java examples and client
Rust	Rust examples and client
cURL	cURL examples

Before running, set APIFY_TOKEN securely in your process environment or secret manager. 0.10 below is an example Run option, not an Actor price or a promise about the final charge; adjust it to suit your needs. The run may incur actual charges.

export APIFY_MAX_TOTAL_CHARGE_USD=0.10
export APIFY_REQUIRE_MAX_TOTAL_CHARGE_USD=1
python3 examples/python/quickstart_single.py 'https://www.instagram.com/reel/REPLACE_WITH_A_REAL_SHORTCODE/'

This command creates one potentially billable Run. The Developer Quick Start has the full setup and equivalent cURL and Node.js examples. Do not retry an uncertain create request; reconcile the existing Run first.

Use with AI agents and MCP

The Actor can be connected to supported AI clients through Apify MCP. This repository provides setup guides; it is not a hosted MCP server. Tool availability and live behavior depend on the client and mode, so consult the compatibility matrix and do not assume every integration has been end-to-end verified.

• Apify MCP
• ChatGPT
• Claude
• Gemini CLI
• Cursor and VS Code

Why use this Actor

• Use one Apify Actor for supported public Instagram collection and video transcription, reducing the need to assemble and maintain separate retrieval and transcription tools.
• Submit multiple video URLs in one Native Bulk Run, then inspect the returned items for partial results.
• Send structured transcript text, timestamped segments, and post metadata when available to your own content research, downstream LLM, or automation workflow; the Actor does not perform that downstream analysis for you.
• Integrate through the repository's SDKs and examples for Python, Node.js, Go, Java, and Rust, through cURL, or through the documented Apify MCP path in a compatible client.

FAQ

How do I get my first transcript?

Open the Actor in Apify Console, choose Try for free, enter a public URL, select Start, and inspect the Dataset. See Try it without code.

Do I need to write code?

No. You can try the Actor in Apify Console. Use the Quick Start when you want to integrate it into an application.

What if a Reel has no speech?

A Reel without transcribable speech may have no transcript text. Check the returned text, segments, and errMsg fields.

For more first-call answers, see the full FAQ.

Important limitations

• Use public content you are allowed to process; private or login-gated content may not be accessible.
• Transcript fields can be missing, and a completed Run does not guarantee a usable transcript.
• Profile mode returns public post metadata only; submit a post URL in a separate Single or Native Bulk request when you need a transcript.
• Native Bulk may return partial results; a successful result for every URL is not guaranteed, so check the returned items and available identity evidence.
• The Actor transcribes audio, not text embedded in video frames.
• A timed-out or ambiguous create request is not a reason to create a replacement Run. See error handling and retries.

See the compatibility matrix for mode-specific implementation and verification status.

Documentation

Topic	Guide
First transcript and code setup	Quick Start
First-call questions	FAQ
Inputs, outputs, and field caveats	Input and output fields
Language and mode verification	Compatibility
Errors and retry behavior	Error handling
Native Bulk and CSV	Batch processing
Production integration	Production checklist
AI use cases and prompts	AI agent use cases · Prompt recipes
MCP setup	Apify MCP · ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini CLI · Cursor / VS Code

Try the Actor

Open the Instagram Transcript Scraper on Apify · Read the Developer Quick Start

MIT licensed. See LICENSE.