Example
curl -G 'https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post' \
--data-urlencode 'url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/' \
-H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"const params = new URLSearchParams({
url: "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/",
});
const res = await fetch(`https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?${params}`, {
headers: { "x-api-key": process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY ?? "" },
});
const body = await res.json();
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${body.error.code}: ${body.error.message}`);
const { data, meta } = body;
console.log(data, meta.credits_charged);import os
import requests
res = requests.get(
"https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post",
params={"url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"},
headers={"x-api-key": os.environ["SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"]},
)
body = res.json()
if not res.ok:
raise RuntimeError(f"{body['error']['code']}: {body['error']['message']}")
data, meta = body["data"], body["meta"]
print(data, meta["credits_charged"])package main
import (
"encoding/json"
"fmt"
"log"
"net/http"
"net/url"
"os"
)
func main() {
q := url.Values{}
q.Set("url", "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/")
req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?"+q.Encode(), nil)
if err != nil {
log.Fatal(err)
}
req.Header.Set("x-api-key", os.Getenv("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"))
res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
if err != nil {
log.Fatal(err)
}
defer res.Body.Close()
var body struct {
Data json.RawMessage `json:"data"`
Meta map[string]any `json:"meta"`
Error *struct {
Code string `json:"code"`
Message string `json:"message"`
} `json:"error"`
}
if err := json.NewDecoder(res.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil {
log.Fatal(err)
}
if body.Error != nil {
log.Fatalf("%s: %s", body.Error.Code, body.Error.Message)
}
fmt.Println(string(body.Data), body.Meta["credits_charged"])
}<?php
$query = http_build_query([
'url' => 'https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/',
]);
$ch = curl_init('https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?' . $query);
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,
CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER => ['x-api-key: ' . getenv('SOCIALTAP_API_KEY')],
]);
$body = json_decode(curl_exec($ch), true);
if (curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_RESPONSE_CODE) >= 400) {
throw new RuntimeException($body['error']['code'] . ': ' . $body['error']['message']);
}
print_r($body['data']);
echo $body['meta']['credits_charged'], PHP_EOL;require "json"
require "net/http"
uri = URI("https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post")
uri.query = URI.encode_www_form('url' => 'https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/')
req = Net::HTTP::Get.new(uri)
req["x-api-key"] = ENV.fetch("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY")
res = Net::HTTP.start(uri.host, uri.port, use_ssl: uri.scheme == "https") { |http| http.request(req) }
body = JSON.parse(res.body)
raise "#{body["error"]["code"]}: #{body["error"]["message"]}" unless res.is_a?(Net::HTTPSuccess)
pp body["data"]
puts body["meta"]["credits_charged"]import java.net.URI;
import java.net.URLEncoder;
import java.net.http.HttpClient;
import java.net.http.HttpRequest;
import java.net.http.HttpResponse;
import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
String query = "url=" + encode("https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/");
HttpRequest request = HttpRequest.newBuilder()
.uri(URI.create("https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?" + query))
.header("x-api-key", System.getenv("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"))
.GET()
.build();
HttpResponse<String> response = HttpClient.newHttpClient()
.send(request, HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.ofString());
// An error is {"error": {"code", "message", ...}}; success is {data, meta}, meta.credits_charged its price.
if (response.statusCode() >= 400) throw new RuntimeException(response.body());
System.out.println(response.body());
}
static String encode(String value) {
return URLEncoder.encode(value, StandardCharsets.UTF_8);
}
}using System.Text.Json;
using var http = new HttpClient();
http.DefaultRequestHeaders.Add("x-api-key", Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"));
var query = string.Join("&",
"url=" + Uri.EscapeDataString("https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"));
var res = await http.GetAsync("https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post?" + query);
using var body = JsonDocument.Parse(await res.Content.ReadAsStringAsync());
if (!res.IsSuccessStatusCode)
{
var error = body.RootElement.GetProperty("error");
throw new Exception($"{error.GetProperty("code")}: {error.GetProperty("message")}");
}
Console.WriteLine(body.RootElement.GetProperty("data"));
Console.WriteLine(body.RootElement.GetProperty("meta").GetProperty("credits_charged"));// Cargo.toml: reqwest = { version = "0.12", features = ["blocking", "json"] }, serde_json = "1"
use std::env;
fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let res = reqwest::blocking::Client::new()
.get("https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/instagram/post")
.query(&[("url", "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/")])
.header("x-api-key", env::var("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY")?)
.send()?;
let ok = res.status().is_success();
let body: serde_json::Value = res.json()?;
if !ok {
return Err(format!("{}: {}", body["error"]["code"], body["error"]["message"]).into());
}
println!("{} {}", body["data"], body["meta"]["credits_charged"]);
Ok(())
}{
"data": {
"approximate_fields": [],
"author": {
"avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/683576066_18653628823019133_9051036240972105113_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=S…",
"display_name": "National Geographic",
"id": "787132",
"is_verified": true,
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeo/",
"username": "natgeo"
},
"coauthors": [
{
"avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/293493364_162817252949028_8275460966213229030_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ss=7b6…",
"display_name": "National Geographic Society",
"id": "4757225830",
"is_verified": true,
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeosociety/",
"username": "natgeosociety"
},
{
"avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/11419091_505296402966021_797003013_a.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ss=7b689&oh=SCRUBBED&oe=F2A52380",
"display_name": "Joel Sartore- Photo Ark",
"id": "225429667",
"is_verified": true,
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/joelsartore/",
"username": "joelsartore"
},
{
"avatar_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/681945023_18592998970017301_7811445524976503069_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=S…",
"display_name": "National Geographic Animals",
"id": "1029649300",
"is_verified": true,
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/natgeoanimals/",
"username": "natgeoanimals"
}
],
"duration_ms": 23744,
"hashtags": [
"PhotoArk"
],
"id": "De1S3KpCXf0",
"is_nsfw": null,
"is_pinned": null,
"is_sponsored": null,
"language": null,
"media": [
{
"alt_text": "Video by National Geographic on October 23, 2026. May be an image of snail and text.",
"duration_ms": 23744,
"expires_at": "2026-10-25T18:00:00Z",
"height": 1920,
"thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/862543567_18711062458019133_8845814561108513720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e15_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ig_cache_key=NDAxNDE5NzU5ODcwNDk5MDE5NjE4NzExMDYyNDUyMDE5MTMz.3-ccb7-5&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=…",
"type": "video",
"url": "https://scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/o1/v/t2/f2/m86/AQO0Zc3E_eoYHXxPOVvPDNzjiHnCGoREl8vxeookIy4831a0VLAN6T9CITX0dyH2cQS6Dy0fs5SGxYC42fWpG2JeAvlnP9yrsgmHUk8.mp4?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&ccb=SCRUBBED&vs=S…",
"width": 1080
}
],
"mentions": [
"joelsartore",
"natgeoanimals",
"natgeosociety"
],
"metrics": {
"comment_count": 238,
"like_count": 68253,
"quote_count": null,
"repost_count": null,
"save_count": null,
"share_count": null,
"view_count": 759188
},
"platform": "instagram",
"platform_specific": {},
"platform_type": "reel",
"published_at": "2026-10-23T10:01:35Z",
"text": "Warning—looking at nudibranchs may cause excessive awe. @joelsartore loves these little creatures, and so do we. 💛🧡🩷\n\nWe’re celebrating 20 years of the National Geographic #PhotoArk, an audacious project documenting the world's incredible biodiversity and highlighting the importa…",
"thumbnail_url": "https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/862543567_18711062458019133_8845814561108513720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s640x640_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=SCRUBBED&_nc_sid=SCRUBBED&efg=SCRUBBED&_nc_ohc=SCRUBBED&_nc_oc=SCRUBBED&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc…",
"title": null,
"type": "video",
"unknown_fields": [],
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"
},
"meta": {
"request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f",
"platform": "instagram",
"source": "page",
"is_cached": false,
"credits_charged": 1,
"latency_ms": 0,
"fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z",
"input": {
"kind": "post",
"id": "De1S3KpCXf0",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/"
},
"credits_remaining": 9999,
"client_request_id": null,
"warnings": [],
"mode": "live"
}
}Long arrays and strings are shortened for display; real responses are complete.
| Name | Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
url required | stringmax 2,048 chars | Instagram post, reel or carousel URL (instagram.com/p/…, /reel/…, /reels/…, /tv/…, /<username>/p/…, m.instagram.com, instagr.am, instagram.com/share/… links) or a raw shortcode. Tracking params and img_index are ignored: the whole post is returned. | https://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/ |
Instagram post, reel or carousel URL (instagram.com/p/…, /reel/…, /reels/…, /tv/…, /<username>/p/…, m.instagram.com, instagr.am, instagram.com/share/… links) or a raw shortcode. Tracking params and img_index are ignored: the whole post is returned.
Examplehttps://www.instagram.com/reel/De1S3KpCXf0/
url takes Instagram post and video links; another kind of link, or another platform's, fails free with invalid_input. Unknown parameters are rejected with a suggestion, never ignored (Requests).
Parameters every endpoint accepts
| Name | Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
max_age optional | integermin 0 | Accept a cached response up to this many seconds old. Cache hits cost 0 credits. Omit to always fetch fresh. The Cache-Control: max-age=N request header is equivalent; max_age wins when both are sent. | — |
fields optional | string | Return only these fields of each item: comma-separated paths in the schema's notation (id,text,metrics.view_count,segments[].text; a parent path keeps the whole object). Unknown paths are rejected. Applied after the cache, so it changes neither the price nor cache hits; page and meta are always returned whole. | — |
Accept a cached response up to this many seconds old. Cache hits cost 0 credits. Omit to always fetch fresh. The Cache-Control: max-age=N request header is equivalent; max_age wins when both are sent.
fieldsstringReturn only these fields of each item: comma-separated paths in the schema's notation (id,text,metrics.view_count,segments[].text; a parent path keeps the whole object). Unknown paths are rejected. Applied after the cache, so it changes neither the price nor cache hits; page and meta are always returned whole.
Response
200
{data, meta}. data is a post object; meta describes the request (meta). The fields are the shared post schema, the same on every platform.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
data.platform | string | Platform ID (tiktok, youtube, …). |
data.id | string | Platform-native post ID (string; Instagram shortcode, Reddit without t3_). |
data.url | string (uri) | Canonical post URL. |
data.type | string | Normalized content shape. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other. One of video, image, carousel, text, link, audio |
data.platform_type | string or null | The platform's own product label, lowercase (reel, short, story, live, tweet, …). |
data.title | string or null | Headline (YouTube title, Reddit title); null on caption-only platforms. |
data.text | string or null | Caption, description or body as plain text. |
data.language | string or null | BCP-47 language of text, when the platform states it. |
data.published_at | string (date-time) or null | When the post went public, RFC 3339 UTC. |
data.author | object | The posting account. |
data.author.id | string or null | Platform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known. |
data.author.username | string or null | Handle without the @; null when the account has none. |
data.author.display_name | string or null | Display name shown on the profile. |
data.author.url | string (uri) or null | Canonical profile URL. |
data.author.avatar_url | string (uri) or null | Profile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. |
data.author.is_verified | boolean or null | Platform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge. |
data.coauthors | object[] | Other accounts credited as co-authors of the post (Instagram and Facebook collabs, YouTube collaborations), in the platform's order, author excluded; [] if none. |
data.coauthors[].id | string or null | Platform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known. |
data.coauthors[].username | string or null | Handle without the @; null when the account has none. |
data.coauthors[].display_name | string or null | Display name shown on the profile. |
data.coauthors[].url | string (uri) or null | Canonical profile URL. |
data.coauthors[].avatar_url | string (uri) or null | Profile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours. |
data.coauthors[].is_verified | boolean or null | Platform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge. |
data.duration_ms | integer or null | Length of the primary video or audio in milliseconds; null for other posts. |
data.thumbnail_url | string (uri) or null | Cover or poster image URL. |
data.media | object[] | Attachments in display order (carousel items); [] for text posts. |
data.media[].type | string | Kind of file. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other. One of image, video, audio, gif |
data.media[].url | string (uri) or null | Direct file URL; null when the platform withholds it, or when the link would only work from SocialTap's network or with a login. Often signed and expiring: see expires_at. |
data.media[].expires_at | string (date-time) or null | When url stops working, RFC 3339 UTC, read from the platform's signed URL; null when unknown or when it does not expire. |
data.media[].thumbnail_url | string (uri) or null | Poster or preview image URL. |
data.media[].width | integer or null | Width in pixels. |
data.media[].height | integer or null | Height in pixels. |
data.media[].duration_ms | integer or null | Duration in milliseconds (video and audio only). |
data.media[].alt_text | string or null | Accessibility text provided by the author or platform. |
data.hashtags | string[] | Hashtags without #, case kept; [] if none. |
data.mentions | string[] | Mentioned or tagged usernames without @; [] if none. |
data.is_pinned | boolean or null | Pinned to the author's profile. |
data.is_sponsored | boolean or null | Labeled as a paid partnership or branded content. |
data.is_nsfw | boolean or null | Marked adult or sensitive by the platform. |
data.metrics | object | Counts at fetch time; null = hidden or not exposed, 0 = zero. |
data.metrics.view_count | integer or null | Views or plays. |
data.metrics.like_count | integer or null | Likes, hearts, total reactions or upvotes; never negative. Null when hidden by the owner. |
data.metrics.comment_count | integer or null | Comments and replies. |
data.metrics.share_count | integer or null | Shares or sends (not reposts). |
data.metrics.repost_count | integer or null | Reposts, retweets or reshares. |
data.metrics.quote_count | integer or null | Quote posts. |
data.metrics.save_count | integer or null | Saves, bookmarks or favorites. |
data.platform_specific | object | Fields only this platform has, under its ID (platform_specific.<platform>); each null when unknown. |
data.approximate_fields | string[] | JSON paths of values rounded by the platform or parsed from display text. A list path (external_links) means the list may be incomplete. [] when all exact. |
data.unknown_fields | string[] | JSON paths of lists whose [] means unknown rather than none (a source that cannot see them); null already means unknown for every other field. [] when every list is known. |
platformstringPlatform ID (tiktok, youtube, …).
idstringPlatform-native post ID (string; Instagram shortcode, Reddit without t3_).
urlstring uriCanonical post URL.
typestringNormalized content shape. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other.
One ofvideoimagecarouseltextlinkaudio
platform_typestringnullableThe platform's own product label, lowercase (reel, short, story, live, tweet, …).
titlestringnullableHeadline (YouTube title, Reddit title); null on caption-only platforms.
textstringnullableCaption, description or body as plain text.
languagestringnullableBCP-47 language of text, when the platform states it.
published_atstring date-timenullableWhen the post went public, RFC 3339 UTC.
authorobjectThe posting account.
ShowHide 6 child fields
idstringnullablePlatform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known.
usernamestringnullableHandle without the @; null when the account has none.
display_namestringnullableDisplay name shown on the profile.
urlstring urinullableCanonical profile URL.
avatar_urlstring urinullableProfile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours.
is_verifiedbooleannullablePlatform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge.
coauthorsobject[]Other accounts credited as co-authors of the post (Instagram and Facebook collabs, YouTube collaborations), in the platform's order, author excluded; [] if none.
ShowHide 6 child fields
idstringnullablePlatform-native account ID; null when only the handle is known.
usernamestringnullableHandle without the @; null when the account has none.
display_namestringnullableDisplay name shown on the profile.
urlstring urinullableCanonical profile URL.
avatar_urlstring urinullableProfile picture URL. Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours.
is_verifiedbooleannullablePlatform verification badge; null where the platform has no badge.
duration_msintegernullableLength of the primary video or audio in milliseconds; null for other posts.
thumbnail_urlstring urinullableCover or poster image URL.
mediaobject[]Attachments in display order (carousel items); [] for text posts.
ShowHide 8 child fields
typestringKind of file. New values may be added; treat unknown values as other.
One ofimagevideoaudiogif
urlstring urinullableDirect file URL; null when the platform withholds it, or when the link would only work from SocialTap's network or with a login. Often signed and expiring: see expires_at.
expires_atstring date-timenullableWhen url stops working, RFC 3339 UTC, read from the platform's signed URL; null when unknown or when it does not expire.
thumbnail_urlstring urinullablePoster or preview image URL.
widthintegernullableWidth in pixels.
heightintegernullableHeight in pixels.
duration_msintegernullableDuration in milliseconds (video and audio only).
alt_textstringnullableAccessibility text provided by the author or platform.
hashtagsstring[]Hashtags without #, case kept; [] if none.
mentionsstring[]Mentioned or tagged usernames without @; [] if none.
is_pinnedbooleannullablePinned to the author's profile.
is_sponsoredbooleannullableLabeled as a paid partnership or branded content.
is_nsfwbooleannullableMarked adult or sensitive by the platform.
metricsobjectCounts at fetch time; null = hidden or not exposed, 0 = zero.
ShowHide 7 child fields
view_countintegernullableViews or plays.
like_countintegernullableLikes, hearts, total reactions or upvotes; never negative. Null when hidden by the owner.
comment_countintegernullableComments and replies.
share_countintegernullableShares or sends (not reposts).
repost_countintegernullableReposts, retweets or reshares.
quote_countintegernullableQuote posts.
save_countintegernullableSaves, bookmarks or favorites.
platform_specificobjectFields only this platform has, under its ID (platform_specific.<platform>); each null when unknown.
approximate_fieldsstring[]JSON paths of values rounded by the platform or parsed from display text. A list path (external_links) means the list may be incomplete. [] when all exact.
unknown_fieldsstring[]JSON paths of lists whose [] means unknown rather than none (a source that cannot see them); null already means unknown for every other field. [] when every list is known.
Fields: the post schema.
not_found and private_or_unavailable are item-level: the request was fine, the item can't be returned.
400
400 Bad Request: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
invalid_input | 400 | No | The request parameters are missing or malformed, or the URL is not a supported link for this endpoint. | Fix the parameter named in param (the message says how); for a link of the wrong kind, call the endpoint the message names. |
invalid_inputNo retryThe request parameters are missing or malformed, or the URL is not a supported link for this endpoint.
Fix the parameter named in param (the message says how); for a link of the wrong kind, call the endpoint the message names.
401
401 Unauthorized: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
unauthorized | 401 | No | The x-api-key header is missing, unknown or revoked (or, on the dashboard's routes, the session cookie is missing or expired). | Send a valid API key in the x-api-key header; without one, get a key at details.signup_url (AI agents: POST details.agent_signup_url). |
unauthorizedNo retryThe x-api-key header is missing, unknown or revoked (or, on the dashboard's routes, the session cookie is missing or expired).
Send a valid API key in the x-api-key header; without one, get a key at details.signup_url (AI agents: POST details.agent_signup_url).
402
402 Payment Required: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
insufficient_credits | 402 | No | The account does not have enough credits for this request. | Buy credits (a human pays: details.purchase_url, or details.checkout makes a checkout link), then repeat the request; do not retry automatically. |
spend_limit_reached | 402 | No | The API key reached its spend limit for the current period; the account may still have credits. | Wait until details.resets_at or raise the key's spend limit (PATCH /v1/api_keys/{id}); do not retry automatically. |
insufficient_creditsNo retryThe account does not have enough credits for this request.
Buy credits (a human pays: details.purchase_url, or details.checkout makes a checkout link), then repeat the request; do not retry automatically.
spend_limit_reachedNo retryThe API key reached its spend limit for the current period; the account may still have credits.
Wait until details.resets_at or raise the key's spend limit (PATCH /v1/api_keys/{id}); do not retry automatically.
403
403 Forbidden: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
forbidden | 403 | No | The API key is valid but may not make this request: its account is suspended, its scopes do not include the route, it is waiting for its owner's email confirmation, it is past its expiry, or the request came from an IP its allowlist does not include. A running job stops the same way when its account is suspended or the key that created it is revoked or expires. It is about the key, never the item (a private item is private_or_unavailable, also 403): branch on the code. | Do what details.reason says: if suspended, contact support; otherwise use a key whose scopes cover the route (details.required_scope), have the owner confirm the emailed link, create a new key, or call from an allowed IP. |
private_or_unavailable | 403 | No | The item exists but is private, age- or region-gated, or requires a login to view. It shares 403 with forbidden (which is about the key): branch on the code. | Only public items can be fetched; do not retry. |
forbiddenNo retryThe API key is valid but may not make this request: its account is suspended, its scopes do not include the route, it is waiting for its owner's email confirmation, it is past its expiry, or the request came from an IP its allowlist does not include. A running job stops the same way when its account is suspended or the key that created it is revoked or expires. It is about the key, never the item (a private item is private_or_unavailable, also 403): branch on the code.
Do what details.reason says: if suspended, contact support; otherwise use a key whose scopes cover the route (details.required_scope), have the owner confirm the emailed link, create a new key, or call from an allowed IP.
404
404 Not Found: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
not_found | 404 | No | The item does not exist or was deleted. | Check the URL or ID; do not retry. |
not_foundNo retryThe item does not exist or was deleted.
Check the URL or ID; do not retry.
429
429 Too Many Requests: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
rate_limited | 429 | Yes, later | The account exceeded its runaway-protection ceiling: plans do not limit request rate, but a high per-account safety ceiling stops broken client loops. Support raises it on request. Without an API key (signup, the MCP server's tool listing and find_endpoint), requests are limited per IP address instead. | Wait for the number of seconds in the retry-after header, then retry; ask support to raise the ceiling if your sustained traffic needs more (calls without an API key: use one). |
rate_limitedYes, laterThe account exceeded its runaway-protection ceiling: plans do not limit request rate, but a high per-account safety ceiling stops broken client loops. Support raises it on request. Without an API key (signup, the MCP server's tool listing and find_endpoint), requests are limited per IP address instead.
Wait for the number of seconds in the retry-after header, then retry; ask support to raise the ceiling if your sustained traffic needs more (calls without an API key: use one).
500
500 Internal Error: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
internal | 500 | Yes, later | Unexpected SocialTap error. | Retry with backoff; contact support with the request_id if it persists. |
internalYes, laterUnexpected SocialTap error.
Retry with backoff; contact support with the request_id if it persists.
502
502 Bad Gateway: 1 error code. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
upstream_error | 502 | Yes, later | The platform failed or returned something unexpected. | Retry with backoff; failed requests are free. |
upstream_errorYes, laterThe platform failed or returned something unexpected.
Retry with backoff; failed requests are free.
503
503 Unavailable: 2 error codes. Free: errors cost nothing.
| Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
upstream_blocked | 503 | Yes, later | The platform refused every attempt. | Retry later with backoff; failed requests are free. |
overloaded | 503 | Yes, later | SocialTap was momentarily at capacity and did not start the request: nothing was fetched or charged. | Retry after the number of seconds in the retry-after header; failed requests are free. |
upstream_blockedYes, laterThe platform refused every attempt.
Retry later with backoff; failed requests are free.
overloadedYes, laterSocialTap was momentarily at capacity and did not start the request: nothing was fetched or charged.
Retry after the number of seconds in the retry-after header; failed requests are free.
Errors: invalid_input 400, unauthorized 401, forbidden 403, insufficient_credits 402, spend_limit_reached 402, rate_limited 429, not_found 404, private_or_unavailable 403, upstream_blocked 503, upstream_error 502, overloaded 503, internal 500 (each code's meaning and retry rule: error codes).
From 1 credit per request. Charged only for successful requests. Errors are free. The price depends on the source that produced the result, reported as meta.source.
| Source | Price per successful request | Per 1,000 requests |
|---|---|---|
Public page page | 1 credit | $0.75–$1.45 |
Balance, sources and what you were charged
Your balance must be at least 1 credit to start a request; with less, it is refused with insufficient_credits (HTTP 402) and costs nothing. Only that minimum is set aside when the request starts.
| meta.source | Source | What it means |
|---|---|---|
page | Public page | Data embedded in the platform's public web page. |
meta.credits_charged and the x-credits-charged header show what you paid. How credits work · Packs
A key starting with st_test_ gets recorded responses, free and the
same every time (test mode). The recorded inputs return their recording; any other input returns the example above.
12 recorded inputs and magic inputs
| Input | Answer |
|---|---|
https://www.instagram.com/p/De492EVDJd3/ | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/p/DexcKhDDno3/ | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/p/DeuOR-CjKE9/ | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/p/De1S3KpCXf1/ | 404 not_found |
https://www.instagram.com/p/De1S3KpCXf0/ Default | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/p/ChdZ_3UALgB/ | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/_oDaXMUlS/ | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBBBBBBBBBB/ | 403 private_or_unavailable |
https://www.instagram.com/p/AAAAAAAAAAA/ | 403 private_or_unavailable |
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDDDDDDDDDD/ | 200 OK |
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCCCCCCCCCC/ | 503 upstream_blocked |
https://www.instagram.com/p/EEEEEEEEEEE/ | 200 OK |
Magic inputs: send one of these as url to get that error.
| Error | Value |
|---|---|
invalid_input | https://socialtap.dev/test/invalid_input |
insufficient_credits | https://socialtap.dev/test/insufficient_credits |
spend_limit_reached | https://socialtap.dev/test/spend_limit_reached |
rate_limited | https://socialtap.dev/test/rate_limited |
not_found | https://socialtap.dev/test/not_found |
private_or_unavailable | https://socialtap.dev/test/private_or_unavailable |
upstream_blocked | https://socialtap.dev/test/upstream_blocked |
upstream_error | https://socialtap.dev/test/upstream_error |
overloaded | https://socialtap.dev/test/overloaded |
internal | https://socialtap.dev/test/internal |
Endpoint ID instagram.post · operationId instagram.post.get · Product overview