Instagram Reels Search API
Search Instagram programmatically and get structured, ranked results.
GET request to /v1/instagram/reels-search that responds with clean JSON, costs 12 credits, and is cached for 24 hours (repeat calls are free). Start with 100 free credits — no credit card.What is the Instagram Reels Search API?
The Instagram Reels Search API lets you search and return matching results from Instagram with a single REST call. No OAuth, no scraping infrastructure, and no platform SDKs — send the URL, get clean structured JSON back. Results are cached for 24 hours, so repeat lookups are instant and free.
What you get
- Ranked, structured result list
- Title, URL, author, and thumbnail per result
- Engagement metrics where available
- Configurable result limit
Try it
Fill in the parameters below and copy a ready-to-run request in your language of choice.
Parameters
curl "https://api.captapi.com/v1/instagram/reels-search?q=skincare" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer capt_live_..."Edit the parameters and the code updates instantly. Switch languages and hit copy.
Example response
{
"success": true,
"cached": false,
"creditsUsed": 12,
"data": {
"query": "travel",
"totalReturned": 10,
"results": [
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjhCnjNXW/",
"id": "3933206051759642070",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "La bella Sardegna🇮🇹\n_______\n.\n.\n#sardegna #italy #travel #fyp #photography",
"description": "La bella Sardegna🇮🇹\n_______\n.\n.\n#sardegna #italy #travel #fyp #photography",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:20.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/732706640_18603614689009838_6695587078282084276_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p1080x1080_sh2.08_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTMzODAwODk2MDM5Nw%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMzAyNC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=KViLx3k3jKsQ7kNvwHAZrp9&_nc_oc=Adoc6Dgs1st-lu0nv9UOoLQQkXESmdbrOS04A7cK7fvt9sTmk2PNol5WFeUKruMIyXM&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQBoPEbbFI76SipZySDRWAPe6-03xfBqEJmJLcpbN9sRmQ&oe=6A4DBD0B",
"author": {
"username": "mentor.bajramii",
"displayName": "Mentor",
"url": "https://instagram.com/mentor.bajramii"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"sardegna",
"italy",
"travel",
"fyp",
"photography"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjgdKCg1q/",
"id": "3933206011536084330",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "7 choses à savoir avant de visiter les Maldives\n\n#DestinationDeRêv' #AgenceDeVoyage #Bangkok #Thailand #Voyage #Travel #Tourisme #Asie #Découverte #Vacances",
"description": "7 choses à savoir avant de visiter les Maldives\n\n#DestinationDeRêv' #AgenceDeVoyage #Bangkok #Thailand #Voyage #Travel #Tourisme #Asie #Découverte #Vacances",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:16.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/738552657_1793418221835239_8221009045143906805_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s1080x1080_sh2.08_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTk1MTE2MzI3ODE5OA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMjA0OC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=4qWs1WTcnZ4Q7kNvwGAzMy1&_nc_oc=Adp6w1TlpkjBFNLYaBF51HEd4SW92Bf2mQ_xhFnqo-6sGJHMgx_0EhRBJTEQmwtvjls&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQAYSGzhMeOCXt0CqTySpZ-CTkRPt1otoY-zu1wKsn_FHw&oe=6A4D9DEE",
"author": {
"username": "destination.de.rev",
"displayName": "Destination de Rev'",
"url": "https://instagram.com/destination.de.rev"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"DestinationDeRêv'",
"AgenceDeVoyage",
"Bangkok",
"Thailand",
"Voyage",
"Travel",
"Tourisme",
"Asie",
"Découverte",
"Vacances"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjgWOiISR/",
"id": "3933206004095288465",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "First layover. ✈️🤍\nA moment I’ll always remember. #larnaka #layover #travel",
"description": "First layover. ✈️🤍\nA moment I’ll always remember. #larnaka #layover #travel",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:15.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731702794_18439574476193601_8670792928318335020_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpegr_e35_p1080x1080_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNDEyODQ1NDYwMDQ4MA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMzA3Mi5oZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=hULX7WKqCCcQ7kNvwFMHbT7&_nc_oc=AdplVXrboxO69YQ4LqNx77T5xvkCZPlrIUktWMOU2-yG70uGsodUVsgueyb1h5_11JE&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&se=-1&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQC1qqcpVH6ZvBh1QAIn28S5dTQZFmS6VPnkFvwzmwb5qQ&oe=6A4DC950",
"author": {
"username": "koinazarovaa",
"displayName": "Aruzhan Koinazarova",
"url": "https://instagram.com/koinazarovaa"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"larnaka",
"layover",
"travel"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjgT5GhYe/",
"id": "3933206001588246046",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "Our week in Switzerland went like ☀️🏔️🫕🍫🍷🛥️🐄🪂\n\n#switzerland #momdaughter #eurosummer #swiss #travel",
"description": "Our week in Switzerland went like ☀️🏔️🫕🍫🍷🛥️🐄🪂\n\n#switzerland #momdaughter #eurosummer #swiss #travel",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:14.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731791676_18606900667035893_1440425656920310125_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p1080x1080_sh2.08_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTg5NjUyMzA0MDc2OQ%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMzA3Mi5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=-vwqG2_CGUkQ7kNvwFEG-oM&_nc_oc=AdpluMzfSngaZuhUyp0U1cFnCaaIjcSQgnxr8t1Pg4B_kIAxyoMwj8SU1LcuHZYoszw&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQAU0oC85gXhEUSqaquceO7W-EvBz3iRFmhiJzeGDhuU8A&oe=6A4DC95B",
"author": {
"username": "pinkdancer99",
"displayName": "Taylor Renee Emmersen",
"url": "https://instagram.com/pinkdancer99"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"switzerland",
"momdaughter",
"eurosummer",
"swiss",
"travel"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjf2uu6Kc/",
"id": "3933205970275771036",
"postType": "Image",
"productType": "feed",
"caption": "Frankfurt 🩵✈️\n#germany #Skyscrapers #travel #dreamcometrue #happylife",
"description": "Frankfurt 🩵✈️\n#germany #Skyscrapers #travel #dreamcometrue #happylife",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:13.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731769794_18206958946350004_1320444949229244483_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpegr_e35_p1080x1080_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTk3MDI3NTc3MTAzNg%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTQ0MC5oZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=f9wTOTHbivwQ7kNvwFBxsbw&_nc_oc=AdqzZZbnMg09er2JCQAr1bdDpQhOrVb9zVHoNKOstE5AVm2hxsbd3zY2mnlR4tTAsUM&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&se=-1&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQBypHpTwHob8hgVom6-q2APTMw3B2AucgNm0DchcW0euQ&oe=6A4DC8F8",
"author": {
"username": "sybilecucerdean",
"displayName": "Sybile Cucerdean",
"url": "https://instagram.com/sybilecucerdean"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"germany",
"Skyscrapers",
"travel",
"dreamcometrue",
"happylife"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjfN-Snpl/",
"id": "3933205926513375845",
"postType": "Image",
"productType": "feed",
"caption": "\"Where the water flows, peace follows\"🏔🍃🌊\n.\n.\n.\n.\n\n.\n#syhlet #jaflong #travel #explore #instagram",
"description": "\"Where the water flows, peace follows\"🏔🍃🌊\n.\n.\n.\n.\n\n.\n#syhlet #jaflong #travel #explore #instagram",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:08.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731808242_18102496379268044_6033786898678360301_n.webp?stp=dst-webp_p1080x1080_sh2.08&_nc_cat=105&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTkyNjUxMzM3NTg0NQ%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTQ0MC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=4WZA3JwndJ4Q7kNvwE2bD0g&_nc_oc=AdqtcXeLqva8e4jAmP97Eno7-jlJP2jpjeU1RJhUcBdHvOiACHkn5ZOKHiCLHKEArps&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQB0i7EXctXzG06Jn09xnzuqszbQGj4s8lNqUV3tAsMfmQ&oe=6A4D9891",
"author": {
"username": "im_surjo_sen",
"displayName": "RUDRA_SISH",
"url": "https://instagram.com/im_surjo_sen"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"syhlet",
"jaflong",
"travel",
"explore",
"instagram"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVje3kEcNp/",
"id": "3933205902451131241",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "Bangkok, Thailand 🥭🌺🧘♀️🛺🐉🏯\n\n#explore #thailand #bangkok #travel #travelgram",
"description": "Bangkok, Thailand 🥭🌺🧘♀️🛺🐉🏯\n\n#explore #thailand #bangkok #travel #travelgram",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:05:03.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731652947_18108429946964421_4842513019354246574_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p1080x1080_sh2.08_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTQxOTM4NDAyMzAyNw%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMzAyNC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=kIhzNJLZeUsQ7kNvwHmD9cG&_nc_oc=AdpI53n6mNqjVG8QMI4Nk3jC9I_kxuDlt6tmEc7WwvNA9sGqCvhWXilr3HSgUPWTdXg&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQA5d0h99hDGMQCT0x4qJwmQp8ZUo3hAayNAs5HJPE-_pw&oe=6A4DBBBE",
"author": {
"username": "timeefortravel",
"displayName": "time for travel",
"url": "https://instagram.com/timeefortravel"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"explore",
"thailand",
"bangkok",
"travel",
"travelgram"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjefAAhQ8/",
"id": "3933205876076319804",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "Safar💗 #photo #photography #instatravel #traveling #travel",
"description": "Safar💗 #photo #photography #instatravel #traveling #travel",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:04:59.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/728950817_18105621170096467_9076509932850589387_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpegr_e35_p1080x1080_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNDc1NjQ2NjEwNzIxNQ%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMTQ0MC5oZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=4VarJT6ImuoQ7kNvwEXFDHr&_nc_oc=AdoWxrKTh9pjYxRGWUc1c5f4W5D2nY4qljzCbegLalTCOW7RL4HDjGYStNx7SxiFiDc&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&se=-1&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQDvd3YLWwzMshBdMPyQgwYnn2Gl1GDXqkBnHOKxflWdBw&oe=6A4D9AF0",
"author": {
"username": "nis_mit_92",
"displayName": "NAッ",
"url": "https://instagram.com/nis_mit_92"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"photo",
"photography",
"instatravel",
"traveling",
"travel"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjdu3Mtwn/",
"id": "3933205824388914215",
"postType": "Image",
"productType": "feed",
"caption": "Proof that fairytales really do exist.✨️🏰💫\n#latvia #latvija #travelphotography #travelgram #travel",
"description": "Proof that fairytales really do exist.✨️🏰💫\n#latvia #latvija #travelphotography #travelgram #travel",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:04:55.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/732493936_17881946022612004_2526695386566562282_n.heic?stp=dst-jpg_e35_s1080x1080_sh2.08_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwNTgyNDM4ODkxNDIxNQ%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTQ0MC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=dgK4W20GLn0Q7kNvwEkNyxN&_nc_oc=AdpSAUICl7qiO5EXGDJHsiRni-fjDre3grtpbOXRnFt-ltuRapMRFecyZB8G5tmXkgU&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQACRFaEyi9RI5NcJWypQ8txMCPuzF5JlJs0iTi2vETsmg&oe=6A4DA4EC",
"author": {
"username": "tedka___",
"displayName": "Миткова Тодорова",
"url": "https://instagram.com/tedka___"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 0,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"latvia",
"latvija",
"travelphotography",
"travelgram",
"travel"
],
"mentions": []
},
{
"platform": "instagram",
"url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVjcidl1TI/",
"id": "3933205742354912456",
"postType": "Sidecar",
"productType": "carousel_container",
"caption": "just me and London. 🤍🇬🇧\n\n#ootd #pinterest #travel #london #vibes",
"description": "just me and London. 🤍🇬🇧\n\n#ootd #pinterest #travel #london #vibes",
"publishedAt": "2026-07-03T16:04:43.000Z",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/731541141_18360732637208098_5465076539630860481_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p1080x1080_sh2.08_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ig_cache_key=MzkzMzIwMzgzNDU5NDM1NTY2MQ%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMzAyNC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=u1UJz7wVBmkQ7kNvwHqkY6m&_nc_oc=Adp5yYCN45zirSX4YyOxkrkD_cA9SjExkFjpUCG0F861PqIHwXEfdzxKlIcIVSQN944&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-vie1-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=9fUq-4GBIm5-djlsK0WEAQ&_nc_ss=7a3ba&oh=00_AQCUfzhw8GBx93GaUiKOSGpD4BXIXUE_yoCiJuxsyGKmCw&oe=6A4D9CF7",
"author": {
"username": "corinaaaaaaa",
"displayName": "Corina",
"url": "https://instagram.com/corinaaaaaaa"
},
"engagement": {
"likes": 2,
"comments": 0
},
"hashtags": [
"ootd",
"pinterest",
"travel",
"london",
"vibes"
],
"mentions": []
}
]
}
}Failed requests (4xx/5xx) are never charged. See the full list of error codes in the error reference.
Response structure
A successful call returns success, cached, creditsUsed, and a data object with the following fields:
Result
totalNumber of results returned.
Each result
Each item in results contains:
titleResult title.urlDirect URL to the content.authorCreator handle.viewsView count where available.
Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| q | string | Yes | Hashtag (without #) or keyword (min 2 characters). |
| limit | integer | No | Max items to return (default 20, max 200). Billed per result. |
Authentication: send your key as Authorization: Bearer capt_live_.... A typical call costs 12 credits — billed per result, so the exact amount scales with how many items you request. Repeat calls for the same request are served from cache for free (metrics refresh within ~1 hour).
instagram_reels_search via @captapi/mcp. Set it up →How it works
- 1. Sign up — get 100 free credits, no card required.
- 2. Create a key from your dashboard.
- 3. Send one request to
/v1/instagram/reels-searchand parse the JSON response.
Use cases
Trend Discovery
Find trending content by keyword or hashtag.
Content Sourcing
Build feeds and playlists programmatically.
Monitoring
Track topics, brands, and competitors.
Research
Sample large sets of content for analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Instagram Reels Search API do?+
The Instagram Reels Search API lets you search and return matching results from a public Instagram query using one GET request to /v1/instagram/reels-search. It returns clean JSON — no OAuth or scraping setup required.
How many credits does the Instagram Reels Search API cost?+
Each successful call costs 12 credits. Responses are cached for 24 hours, and cached results cost 0 credits. Failed or empty results are never charged.
Do I need a Instagram API key or OAuth?+
No. A single Captapi key works across every platform Captapi supports — YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Reddit, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Rumble. We handle proxies, rate limits, retries, and authentication for you.
Is the Instagram Reels Search API suitable for production use?+
Yes. It is a stable REST endpoint with predictable JSON, automatic retries, and a shared 24-hour cache. Use it for RAG pipelines, analytics, monitoring, and content automation.
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