# Scraping Instagram Comments

> Extracts comments from Instagram posts using apidojo's Instagram Comments Scraper on Apify. Triggers when the user asks to: get all comments on an Instagram post, scrape Instagram comment data, export comments from an Instagram URL, fetch comment text and engagement from Instagram posts, collect commenter usernames from a post, or download audience reaction data from Instagram content. Returns comment text, like count, reply count, commenter username, verified status, and timestamp. Ideal for sentiment analysts, community managers, and social media researchers.

- Skill: `apidojo-io/scraping-instagram-comments` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add apidojo-io/scraping-instagram-comments`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/apidojo-io/scraping-instagram-comments/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: Apache-2.0
- Author: apidojo-io (https://skillmd.com/u/apidojo-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/apidojo-io/scraping-instagram-comments

---


# Scraping Instagram Comments

Raw data collection. No assumed use case — returns the full dataset for downstream analysis.

---

## Inputs

| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Notes |
|-----------|------|----------|---------|-------|
| `startUrls` | array | Optional | `[]` | Instagram post URLs |
| `postIds` | array | Optional | `[]` | Instagram post IDs |
| `maxItems` | number | Optional | Unlimited | Maximum comments to return |
| `customMapFunction` | string | Optional | — | JavaScript function to transform each output object |

## How to Run

### Using run_actor.js (recommended)

```bash
# Quick answer (table)
node scripts/run_actor.js --actor "apidojo~instagram-comments-scraper" --input '{"startUrls": ["https://www.instagram.com/p/POSTCODE/"], "maxItems": 100}'

# Save as CSV
node scripts/run_actor.js --actor "apidojo~instagram-comments-scraper" --input '{"startUrls": ["https://www.instagram.com/p/POSTCODE/"], "maxItems": 100}' --output results.csv --format csv

# Save as JSON
node scripts/run_actor.js --actor "apidojo~instagram-comments-scraper" --input '{"startUrls": ["https://www.instagram.com/p/POSTCODE/"], "maxItems": 100}' --output results.json --format json
```

### REST API fallback

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/apidojo~instagram-comments-scraper/runs" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"startUrls": ["https://www.instagram.com/p/POSTCODE/"], "maxItems": 100}'
```

If Apify MCP is available:
Use the Apify MCP `call_actor` tool with actor `apidojo~instagram-comments-scraper` and the input above.

---

## Output Fields

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `postId` | string | Parent post ID |
| `type` | string | Always `comment` |
| `id` | string | Comment ID |
| `userId` | string | Commenter user ID |
| `message` | string | Comment text |
| `createdAt` | string | Comment timestamp (ISO 8601) |
| `likeCount` | number | Likes on comment |
| `replyCount` | number | Number of replies |
| `user.id` | string | Commenter ID |
| `user.username` | string | Commenter @username |
| `user.fullName` | string | Commenter full name |
| `user.profilePicUrl` | string | Commenter profile picture |
| `isRanked` | boolean | Whether comment is ranked/top |

## Edge Cases

- **Private post**: Returns 0 results. Tell user the post or account is private.
- **Deleted post**: Returns error. Verify URL is correct.
- **Few comments**: Normal — post may genuinely have low engagement.
- **Missing fields**: Some users may not have fullName or isVerified; handle gracefully.
- **Rate limit**: Reduce maxItems or run at off-peak time.