Actions9
- User Actions
- Media Actions
- Feed Actions
Overview
This node integrates with Instagram's private API to perform various user-related operations. Specifically, the "Search Users" operation allows you to search for Instagram users by a search query (username or part of it). This is useful when you want to find users matching certain criteria without knowing their exact usernames.
Common scenarios include:
- Finding Instagram users related to a brand or topic.
- Automating user discovery for marketing or analytics.
- Building lists of potential followers or influencers based on search terms.
Example: You provide a search term like "travelblogger" and the node returns a list of Instagram users whose usernames or profiles match that term.
Properties
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Search Query | The search term used to find users on Instagram by username or profile content. |
Output
The output is a JSON array containing user objects returned from the Instagram private API search. Each object represents a user matching the search query and includes details such as username, full name, profile picture URL, and other metadata provided by Instagram.
No binary data is output by this operation.
Dependencies
- Requires an Instagram API authentication credential (an API key or session token) configured in n8n.
- Uses Instagram private API client library bundled as
InstagramClient. - The node attempts to reuse saved session data if available; otherwise, it authenticates using provided credentials.
- No additional external services are required beyond Instagram itself.
Troubleshooting
- Authentication failures: If the node throws an error about Instagram authentication failure, verify your Instagram credentials and ensure they are correct and active.
- Rate limits or API errors: Instagram may limit requests or block access if too many requests are made. Consider adding delays or reducing request frequency.
- Empty results: If no users are found, check the search query for typos or try broader terms.
- Unsupported operation error: This occurs if the resource or operation parameters are incorrect or not implemented. Ensure you select "User" as resource and "Search Users" as operation.
Links and References
- Instagram Private API GitHub Repository (for understanding underlying API calls)
- Instagram Help Center (for official Instagram usage policies and limitations)