How to Scrape Instagram Data: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated 07/31/2024

With more than 95 million daily Instagram posts, this social media platform can be a valuable data source. However, it can be challenging to scrape Instagram followers, and photos, and post data manually. This is where web scraping tools come in handy.

Although the official API of Instagram allows you to access your posts, comments, and likes, but you can’t extract data from the profiles of other people. That does not necessarily mean you can’t get valuable insights from this social media channel. The only thing you need to know is how to scrape such information and how to choose the right Instagram email scraper.

Our one-step guide will teach you a step-by-step process of Instagram followers and email scraping. By the end of this guide, you will be able to learn how Instagram scraping works, how to use it, and what to consider to keep things safe and legal.

What is Instagram Scraping and How It Works?

Data scraping refers to extracting data and insights from a website or platform. This can be done by utilizing an automated email scraper tool or by entering the site’s URL into the web browser and then navigating each page to document the required information.

Since Instagram’s users continue to grow by an impressive 10 million every month, having such a large pool of users can be a real game changer, particularly for marketers. For example, if you want to sell something on Instagram, the first and foremost thing you have to do is to find the email addresses and other information of your targeted audience.

The process to scrape Instagram followers can also be used to break between the individuals and businesses who operate Instagram accounts. In short, an email scraper can be a powerful tool, no matter if you want to scrape data for marketing initiatives or understand your competitors better.

The Legality of Instagram Data Scraping

The legality of scraping data and emails from Instagram is a bit uncertain. But that does not necessarily mean that you can’t do it. It is generally considered legal and acceptable as long as you have consent.

According to FTC, it is permissible to scrape Instagram followers only if you have obtained consent. Instagram is not an email service provider, and it does not fall under the umbrella of the CAN-SPAM Act, which governs email marketing practices.

That means if someone willingly allows you to access their Instagram data, then you can contact them via email. Otherwise, it is illegal, and your Instagram account might be terminated or suspended.

Benefits of Scraping Instagram Data

Scraping Instragam data has endless perks that go beyond marketing terms. Here is a complete overview of these advantages from various sources:

1. Market Research

When it comes to selling products/services effectively on digital media platforms like Instagram, conducting thorough market research is the key to success. Scraping Instagram followers can provide useful insights for market research.

You can use this information to analyze user behaviors, the latest trends, engagement patterns, and preferences of your potential buyers. The rule is very simple: understand the problems of your buyers, provide them with the right solution, and they will help you back!

When you understand your target audience better and identify their pain points, it helps you align your product development and marketing strategy to make a powerful impact.

2. Social Media Analytics

Instagram email scraper can also be valuable for analyzing engagement metrics. For example, you can check your post performance, follower growth, and user interaction. Such insights can further be utilized to create brand awareness, track marketing campaigns, and optimize social media strategies.

3. Influencer Marketing

The global influencer marketing market has reached a value of $21.1 billion, according to Statista. Online businesses and markers can use the potential of this marketing tactic to reach a broader audience and get the best investment returns.

Instagram data scraper allows you to identify influential users, trending content, and popular hashtags. These insights are very helpful for influencer marketing campaigns. You can find the right Instagram influencer to collaborate with and improve your brand’s visibility.
Best Practices to Scrape Instagram Followers
Instagram is a favored network that is widely used by individuals and businesses. It enforces strict policies regarding data collection and scraping. Therefore, if someone caught engaging in such activities, they have to face legal penalties.

Here are a few legal and ethical practices that you can use to get useful information and insights from Instagram:

1. Instagram API

The built-in Instagram scraping enables authorized users and developers to access and extract data. You can collect data and feature it from your own Instagram or any other public account you follow.

If you’re a renowned creator or business owner, you can use Instagram Graph API to access a broader range of data, including insights about stories, posts, comments, likes, and followers. If you have developer skills, you can use tools for developers.

2. Bio Check

It is another effective method to scrape Instagram followers manually. You can visit a user’s Instagram profile by simply clicking on their name if you already know them. Or you can search for the username to find a specific profile.

Once you’re in someone’s profile, go to “Bio section, where you can find descriptions about your target audience. It is quite common for businesses and creators to add an official email address in the description. If you come across such information, make sure to note it for reference.

3. Check Comments and Captions

Occasionally, Instagram users may include valuable information in the comment and caption sections of their own posts. It is advised to scroll through the recent posts and captions and comments of your targeted audience to get information like email addresses.
Scrape Instagram Data Using Instagram Email Scraper
Scraping Instagram data manually can take a lot of time and effort. An automated IG data scraper is a more advanced and practical way to get the desired insights within a few minutes. An email scraper enables you to fully utilize the massive user base of Instagram and retrieve valuable emails from Instagram profiles.

We suggest using SocLeads – the most reliable email scraper by followers, hashtags, and keywords. This tool lets you discover and close your high-profit deals using the right customers’ data.

With a bounce rate under 3%, SocLeads is an optimal choice for exporting thousands of relevant emails from Instagram profiles in just one click. It also protects your emails from being blocked and does not require any code or plugins.
Key Features of SocLeads

Here is a list of the amazing features that make our SocLeads the best Instagram email scraper:

1. User Friendly Interface

Our Instagram email scraper is designed with both specialists and novices in mind. You don’t need to be a tech expert to use SocLeads and scrape Instagram followers. The simplest interface of the tool allows you to walk through the data extraction process right away.

2. Real Time Updates

It is important to keep up with the ever-evolving trends and algorithms of Instagram to ensure the relevancy and accuracy of the data you collect. Our Instagram email scraper – SocLeads – aims to provide real time updates. Surprisingly, our tool dependably offers the correct and updated findings, even when the platform’s trends change.

3. Bulk Email Extraction

One of the most appreciable aspects of SocLeads is its ability to extract bulk emails from Instagram profiles in one click. This bulk email extraction feature is helpful for speeding up the process and collecting the contact information you want.

This feature is particularly valuable for marketers and firms that are struggling to out reach their marketing efforts to reach a wider and global audience.

4. Customization Options

Remember, not all Instagram users are relevant to your objectives. And this is where the customization option of SocLeads comes in handy. It enables you to adapt your Instagram data extraction process to meet the specific requirements.

Conclusion

Scraping Instagram followers is a quiet task that requires time and patience if done manually. However, with the right knowledge and email scraper tool, it is indeed achievable.

If you’re scraping data from Instagram, be sure to know who you’re targeting and maintain data accuracy. Also, use a reliable automated tool like SocLeads to mitigate the challenges associated with manual data extraction, customize your data collection process, and export thousands of relevant emails in one click.