To export Instagram followers or following to CSV with the open-source browser script in this guide, load the script before opening the list, scroll to load the profiles you need, then select Download XX users. The export contains profiles the browser loaded, not necessarily every follower on the account. Check the count and sample rows before using the file.
The script also captures authors loaded on location and hashtag pages. After downloading the CSV, you can import it into Datablist to clean the list or enrich public profile details. The script and Datablist's Instagram Profile Scraper are separate tools.
If you only need a small follower list, try the free Instagram Follower Scraper. Enter one profile URL or handle to retrieve up to 100 followers and copy or download the results as CSV. Use the browser script below for its separate following-list and post-author workflows. For a credit-based in-app alternative to scrolling a follower list, the influencer follower guide covers source settings, continuation and a worked budget.
This guide covers:
- How to set up the Instagram scraping script
- How to scrape Instagram followers
- How to scrape Instagram following list
- How to scrape Instagram Post Authors on Location/Tag pages
- How to use a Chrome Extension to access the script quickly
Set up Instagram users scraper script
Note: To store the script in a Chrome Extension and access it quickly, please read Put the scrapping script in a Chrome Extension.
To extract Instagram members, just copy-paste the following script into Chrome Developer Console.
Notes
The source code for the Instagram member scraper is available on GitHub. The script reads API calls done when loading members on the web page to extract members' data.
To open the Chrome Developer Console, go to the main menu and click "More Tools -> Developer Tools". Then click on the "Console" tab.
After pasting the script, press "Enter" to execute the script. A widget appears in the bottom-right corner.
Only run the script after reviewing its source code. Browser interfaces and Instagram responses can change, so confirm that the widget appears and that the export contains the fields you expect.
Older Chrome versions may show a console warning like the one below. Do not bypass a warning for code you have not reviewed.
Exported fields
The script works by intercepting the API calls between the browser and Instagram servers. For example, when you display the list of followers for a profile, the script scans the API calls and extracts the followers.
The script stores captured users locally in your browser and keeps them across page reloads until you reset its data. A returning count may include profiles captured during an earlier session. Check the Source column or reset the script's local data when you need a fresh export.
- Profile Id: Unique Instagram identifier. Multi-digit number.
- Username: Instagram username.
- Link: Instagram profile URL. In the format https://www.instagram.com/{{username}}
- Full Name: Instagram user's full name
- Is Private: Is the profile private
- Location: The location name for post author scraping. When available.
- Picture Url: Instagram user profile picture
- Source: Information about where the user was scrapped. Followers, Following, Post Authors, etc.
Download users in a CSV file
Select Download XX users in the widget to save the captured rows as CSV. Compare the widget count with the exported row count, then inspect Username, Profile Id, and Source. If you collected more than one list, filter or deduplicate before using the file.
To clean, filter, or just view the CSV file, you can use Datablist CSV Editor.
Scrape Instagram profile followers
To scrape Instagram followers, you must load the script before clicking on an Instagram profile followers listing.
Warning If you load the script after clicking the followers list. The script won't be able to intercept the API calls. If you have already opened the follower's list, just refresh the page and load the script.
Once the followers modal is open, you see the widget counter increase with the number of added users.
Scroll down the followers listing to load more users. Wait for the widget count to change before continuing. Instagram may stop loading results or change its interface, so do not assume the CSV contains the full follower list.
To scrape Instagram Followers at scale and automatically, check our Instagram Followers Scraper.
Scrape Instagram following list
Once the following list modal is open, you see the widget counter increase with the number of added users.
Scroll down the following listing to load more users. Export the CSV and verify the Source and row count before combining it with other lists.
Scrape Location and Hashtag post authors
The Instagram Users Scraper extracts post authors from Location and Hashtag pages. The script export the post location when available.
Warning: You must load the script before navigating to a Location or Hashtag page. Otherwise, the script won't be able to intercept the API calls.
To scrape post authors, search an Instagram hashtag or a Location using the search menu from the sidebar.
Once on a hashtag page, scroll to load more users.
Instagram returns few results for hashtag search. If you are building a lead list, scraping users from an Instagram Location might be easier.
Enrich Instagram users with profile information
The browser script exports identifiers and other fields available from the lists it captured, such as Profile Id, Username, Link, Full Name, Is Private, Location, Picture Url, and Source. Some fields may be empty.
To enrich the Instagram users to get detailed information that goes beyond basics, Datablist offers an Instagram Profile Scraper enrichment.
This enrichment uses a profile identifier or URL to retrieve available public profile information. It is a separate step from the browser script and may return missing values when a field is not public or available.
The Instagram Profile Scraper returns:
- Description - Instagram user bio.
- Follower Count - Instagram user follower count.
- Following Count - Instagram user following count.
- Category - Instagram user category name.
- Website - Instagram user external url.
- Public Email - Instagram user public email address.
- Phone Number - Instagram user phone number.
- Profile Picture - Instagram user profile picture.
- Private - Is the Instagram profile private.
- Verified - Is the Instagram profile verified.
- Business Account - Is the Instagram profile a business profile.
- Business Zip Code
- Business City
- Business Street Address
- Home Country - Instagram user country name. Ex: France.
- Date Joined - Month and year of joining Instagram. Ex: October 2012.
After scraping the bio, you can run Entity Name Extraction on the Description column. It extracts company names, people, and locations from Instagram bios, which helps you segment creators, local businesses, and prospects.
For a multilingual list, review interface language versus translated bio text and keep the original description beside any translation used for classification.
To enrich your Instagram users list, import the CSV on Datablist and click "Enrich".
Then, select the "Instagram Profile Scraper" enrichment.
Use the Profile Id from the script as the identifier.
And create a new property for each additional data you want to scrape. Then click "Run the enrichment" to start the process.
Store the scrapping script in a Chrome Extension
Copy-pasting the script each time on the Chrome Console is time-consuming. Good news! You can use a Chrome Extension to quickly inject the script on the page. It can be added automatically on Instagram pages, or injected on a click.
Clicking on it from the Chrome Extension directly adds it to your Instagram pages.
The Chrome Extension is called "User JavaScript and CSS" and is available on the Chrome Extensions store: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/user-javascript-and-css/nbhcbdghjpllgmfilhnhkllmkecfmpld
Once the Chrome Extension is installed, click to the setting buttom to configure a new script.
Configure a new rule with the following settings:
- Name:
InstagramScraper - URL Pattern:
https://www.instagram.com/* - Enable the script
- In the JavaScript code, copy paste the code from here
- Let the CSS code empty
Click "Save".
Pin the extension to have it from your navigation bar. And this is it!
FAQ
Is it free to scrape Instagram?
The Instagram scraper script is free and open-source (check the scraper code here). It scrapes Instagram followers, following user lists, and post authors on location and hashtag pages. You can also clean and filter the CSV with a free account on Datablist. To add available public profile information, run the Instagram Profile Scraper enrichment on the imported rows. It uses credits; check the current pricing before processing a large list.
Does using the script guarantee account safety?
No. The script observes requests made as you browse, but that does not guarantee Instagram will allow the activity or that your account will avoid restrictions. Review the script and Instagram's current rules before using it.
How long does it take to scrape Instagram users?
The time depends on how many profiles Instagram loads as you scroll. Watch the widget count and stop when you have enough rows. If the count does not rise, verify that you loaded the script before opening the list and that the current page is supported.
Instagram scrapping use cases
Influencer Collaborations
Instagram is the home of influencer marketing. Collaborating with influencers who have a loyal following can significantly amplify your outreach efforts. With this Instagram scrapper, find relevant influencers in bulk.
Find Leads from locations or hashtags
Hashtags are used to categorize content around specific topics, interests, or events. By focusing on users who engage with specific hashtags, you're tapping into a pool of potential leads already interested in your niche or industry.
Users who post under or follow certain hashtags are not just passive observers but are actively engaging with related content. This indicates a higher level of interest and engagement, making them more receptive to messages or offers that align with their interests.
Find Leads from competitor followers
Scraping Instagram followers of your competitors can be a goldmine for finding leads because it gives you direct access to an audience already interested in products or services similar to yours. These users have shown a willingness to engage with brands in your niche, making them highly receptive to your messaging if it resonates with their interests. By analyzing these followers, you can tailor your marketing strategies to meet their needs, preferences, and pain points more effectively. This targeted approach not only enhances the relevance of your outreach but also increases the likelihood of conversion, as you're reaching out to an audience primed for what you have to offer.