Tutorial · Node.js
How to scrape Instagram transcripts with Node.js (2026)
A Node.js walkthrough for GET /v2/instagram/media/{media}/transcript. Copy the snippet, run it, then read the JSON.
GET /v2/instagram/media/{media}/transcript · 1 credit +10 credits per started minute of transcribed video, up to 60 minutes (allowLongTranscription) Max 601 credits Failed requests are free
In this tutorial
You'll pull a Instagram transcript from a public video URL and see the text you get back.
Example job: turn a public Instagram video into text for search or alerts.
Step 1
Get ready
Get a Social Fetch API key and a Node.js environment ready. New accounts include 100 free credits.
API key. Create a Social Fetch account and copy an API key. New accounts include 100 free credits.
Node.js setup. Node 18+ (native fetch). Export SOCIALFETCH_API_KEY.
When you're done, SOCIALFETCH_API_KEY is set in your shell.
Step 2
Make the request
Copy the Node.js snippet, set SOCIALFETCH_API_KEY, and call GET /v2/instagram/media/{media}/transcript with the x-api-key header. Example: /v2/instagram/media/ABC123/transcript.
You should see HTTP 200 and a JSON body. Native fetch does not throw on 4xx/5xx, so check response.ok before parsing.
Step 3
Read the response
JSON with data (the transcripts) and meta (creditsCharged, requestId). Sample below is illustrative — field docs live on the endpoint page. Credits charge on completed lookups, not transport failures.
Check data.lookupStatus when present. Keep meta.requestId if a row looks wrong.
Watch out
transcript.text can be null on found (no speech). language and segments are always null; the lookup returns the text only. Photo posts read as not_found.
Step 4
You finished
Same path and credits in playground, docs, and production. Pick a next step below.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need an official Instagram developer account?
No. Social Fetch authenticates with your Social Fetch API key. You call GET /v2/instagram/media/{media}/transcript and we handle the lookup. You still need to follow each platform's terms for how you use public data.
What does the instagram transcripts endpoint return?
A JSON envelope with data (the transcripts) and meta (creditsCharged, requestId). Shape details and field docs live on the endpoint page and in the OpenAPI docs.
Can Instagram carousel posts return multiple transcripts?
A carousel with several videos returns their texts joined in order, one blank line apart, in a single data.transcript.text. found means the media resolved; text can still be null when there is no speech.
Do Instagram /reel/ and /p/ URLs both work for transcripts?
Yes. Pass the shortcode, the public permalink or the numeric media id as the media path parameter. Response text lives under data.transcript.text. Branch on lookupStatus before reading it.
How much does a successful request cost?
1 credit +10 credits per started minute of transcribed video, up to 60 minutes (allowLongTranscription) Max 601 credits Failed requests are free
Is this okay for production?
Yes — same production API as everywhere else: typed errors, requestId on every response, credits charged only on completed lookups. New accounts get 100 free credits.
Any Node.js-specific tips for this request?
Yes. Native fetch does not throw on 4xx/5xx — check response.ok (or status) before parsing JSON. Read meta.requestId from the body when you need support on a bad row.
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