> **For coding agents and LLMs:** This is one Social Fetch marketing page (markdown export). For API orientation start with [`/llms.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms.txt); for auth and crawl rules use [`/agents.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/agents.txt); for every operation use [`/llms-endpoints.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms-endpoints.txt).

## This page

- **On-site (HTML):** [https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/how-do-i-look-up-an-instagram-profile-by-handle-or-user-id](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/how-do-i-look-up-an-instagram-profile-by-handle-or-user-id)
- **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** [https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/how-do-i-look-up-an-instagram-profile-by-handle-or-user-id.mdx](https://www.socialfetch.dev/answers/how-do-i-look-up-an-instagram-profile-by-handle-or-user-id.mdx)

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# How do I look up an Instagram profile by handle or user id?

Use `GET /v1/instagram/profiles/{handle}` when you have a username (with or without the leading `@`) — it returns the full profile card and uses `found` / `private` / `restricted` / `not_found` on `data.lookupStatus`. Use `GET /v1/instagram/profiles/{userId}/basic` when you already store Instagram's numeric `platformUserId` and want a lighter card without a username round-trip.

Source: [Instagram data API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/instagram)

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