> **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):** - **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** --- # What is public social data? Public social data is content and metadata a platform shows to anyone logged out, without requiring you to be the account owner: public profiles, posts, viewable counts, and similar. Social Fetch targets that class only — not DMs, private accounts, login-gated content, or owner-only insights. ## What "public" actually means here The test is whether someone can view it in a logged-out browser — no account, login, or invitation required. A public TikTok profile qualifies; a private Instagram account does not, even though the posts exist. Social Fetch documents per-platform coverage under /platforms across 25 networks (264 marketplace operations). Coverage varies by platform and route. ## What public usually covers Handles and bios, public follower counts, post captions and engagement metrics, transcripts where available, and public search or discovery — depending on the route. A TikTok profile lookup returns data.lookupStatus: "found" plus bio, follower count, and recent public videos — the same view a logged-out visitor gets. No authentication as that creator required. ## Limits and what falls outside it Private or restricted accounts return documented data.lookupStatus outcomes — Social Fetch doesn't bypass platform privacy settings. DMs, private insights, ad reporting, and anything requiring the owner's login are out of scope; that's what official OAuth APIs are for. "Public" also isn't a blanket legal OK for every use case. You're responsible for platform terms, privacy law, and context. Social Fetch returns what a logged-out visitor sees; it doesn't provide legal review. ## Vs owner-scoped official APIs Official kits (Meta Graph API, TikTok's official API, etc.) return data for accounts that authorize your app via OAuth: publishing, private insights, ads, DMs. Public social data needs no authorization from the profile you're looking up — enrichment and research over pages anyone can already open. Managing your own connected account is the official-API job; looking up public competitors or creators is the public-data job Social Fetch covers. ## How this differs from proxy- and login-based scrapers Some competitors use residential proxies or automated login sessions to reach gated content. Social Fetch doesn't — every lookup is scoped to what a platform serves without authentication. ## Common misconceptions "Public" means what an anonymous visitor sees, not everything the platform's own app might show a logged-in user. A public follower count doesn't mean historical data is public. Social Fetch returns what's visible now, not a time machine over past profile states. ## FAQ ### What counts as public social media data? Anything a logged-out visitor can see: public profiles, posts, captions, metrics, transcripts, and public search. If viewing requires owner or follower login, it's not public. ### Can I get private Instagram or TikTok data through Social Fetch? No. For owner-scoped data, use that platform's official API with the account owner's OAuth authorization. ### Is Social Fetch legal to use for scraping public social data? Social Fetch returns logged-out-visible data without proxies or login automation. You're still responsible for lawful use — platform terms and applicable privacy law for your use case. ### What happens if I request data for a private profile? Routes that support it return data.lookupStatus like private or not_found on HTTP 200. See /glossary/lookup-status. ### Does Social Fetch use proxies or fake logins to access gated content? No. Only what a platform serves to an anonymous, logged-out visitor. ### Can I get DMs, private insights, or ad reporting through Social Fetch? No. That's owner-scoped data for official OAuth APIs. Social Fetch covers the public half. ### Where do I browse what's covered per platform? /platforms for per-network hubs, /docs/api for schemas, /tools for free browser lookups. ### How is public social data different from an official platform API? Official APIs require the account owner to authorize your app and return owner-scoped data. Public data needs no authorization from the profile you're looking up. ## Related - [Platforms](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms) - [API docs](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api) - [Free tools](https://www.socialfetch.dev/tools) - [Lookup status](https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/lookup-status) - [Social media scraper API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/social-media-scraper-api) - [Use cases](https://www.socialfetch.dev/use-cases) - [Reliability](https://www.socialfetch.dev/reliability)