Tutorial · Python
How to scrape Instagram transcripts with Python (2026)
A Python walkthrough for GET /v1/instagram/posts/transcript. Copy the snippet, run it, then read the JSON.
GET /v1/instagram/posts/transcript · 1 credit per successful request.
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
You need a Social Fetch API key and a working Python environment. New accounts include 100 free credits.
API key. Create a Social Fetch account and copy an API key. New accounts include 100 free credits.
Python setup. Python 3 with requests installed (pip install requests). Export SOCIALFETCH_API_KEY.
When you're done, SOCIALFETCH_API_KEY is set in your shell.
Step 2
Make the request
Copy the Python snippet, keep SOCIALFETCH_API_KEY in the environment, and send GET /v1/instagram/posts/transcript with the x-api-key header. Example path: /v1/instagram/posts/transcript?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Freel%2FABC123%2F. The sample uses public values for transcripts.
You should see HTTP 200, then response.json() with data and meta. Call raise_for_status() before parsing.
Step 3
Read the response
A JSON body with data (the transcripts) and meta (creditsCharged, requestId). The sample below is illustrative; field-level docs live on the endpoint page. Credits charge on completed lookups, not transport failures.
Branch on data.lookupStatus when present, then keep meta.requestId if a row looks wrong.
Watch out
treat data.transcripts as an array even for single-clip reels. found means the media resolved; individual text values can still be null. Do not assume one object under a singular transcript key — that shape is TikTok/YouTube, not this route.
Step 4
You finished
Same path and credits in playground, docs, and production. Pick a next action 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 /v1/instagram/posts/transcript and we handle upstream access. 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?
Yes. When a carousel has more than one video item with transcript data, data.transcripts can contain multiple rows (id, shortcode, text). Iterate the array; do not assume a single object. found means the media resolved — individual text values can still be null.
Do Instagram /reel/ and /p/ URLs both work for transcripts?
Yes. Pass the public permalink as the url query param for either shape. Response text lives under data.transcripts (plural). Branch on lookupStatus before iterating.
How much does a successful request cost?
1 credit per successful request.
Is this okay for production?
Yes. Same production API as the rest of Social Fetch: typed errors, requestId on every response, and credit charges only on completed lookups (not infrastructure failures). New accounts get 100 free credits.
Any Python-specific tips for this request?
Yes. Call response.raise_for_status() before response.json(), set a timeout on requests.get, and keep response.json()["meta"]["requestId"] when a row looks wrong.
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