Instagram · Guide

How to get Instagram trending reels

TL;DR

To get Instagram trending reels, sign up for a free Captapi key, then send one GET request to /v1/instagram/trending-reels with your input. You get clean JSON back in seconds for ~28 credits (1.4/result) per call — no OAuth, scraping or platform SDKs. Get the Reels currently trending on Instagram's Explore feed for a chosen country — video URL, caption, author, views, likes, and comments for each one.

Get your free API key API reference

How to get Instagram trending reels (step by step)

1
Get a free API key
Create a free Captapi account (100 credits, no card) and generate an API key from the dashboard.
2
Call the Instagram Trending Reels API
Send an authenticated GET request to /v1/instagram/trending-reels with your input. No OAuth, no scraping setup.
3
Read the JSON response
Parse the clean JSON response. Pass cache=true for a free 24h cache hit; default is always fresh.

Code example

curl "https://api.captapi.com/v1/instagram/trending-reels?country=US" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer capt_live_..."
# or: -H "x-api-key: capt_live_..."

What the response looks like

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "platform": "instagram",
    "country": "United States",
    "totalReturned": 10,
    "reels": [
      {
        "platform": "instagram",
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/BoxY6YYlS1S/",
        "id": "1887399283873099090_7177109026",
        "postType": "Image",
        "productType": "feed",
        "section": "TV & Movies",
        "topic": "Animation TV & Movies",
        "caption": "I'm waiting for the TV movies of these to come out eventually. #Nickelodeon #RockosModernLife #InvaderZim #Zim #Rocko #Nicktoons #Nick #Rugrats #Doug #RenAndStimpy #CatDog #AngryBeavers #SpongeBob #SpongeBobSquarePants #Crossovers #Animation",
        "description": "I'm waiting for the TV movies of these to come out eventually. #Nickelodeon #RockosModernLife #InvaderZim #Zim #Rocko #Nicktoons #Nick #Rugrats #Doug #RenAndStimpy #CatDog #AngryBeavers #SpongeBob #SpongeBobSquarePants #Crossovers #Animation",
        "publishedAt": "2018-10-10T23:52:29Z",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-ord5-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/627049398_18424896241140014_1140887231559893359_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ig_cache_key=MTg4NzM5OTI4Mzg3MzA5OTA5MA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTA4MC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=mT6JzBxDRcAQ7kNvwECAulT&_nc_oc=AdpFpkRJ4pBbFN-p12YQj5BYoHrN0L5aDhr--gPGWsFCVN66zN-Mv6vHD-Zxjk78kCGwr_RE_Nij3nmZZYi4f9Ji&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=4bDSULEL-LvNhOk3CA-9OA&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_AQA3xQbt773NEe8FcM80_BUQVyUGBL4yiuST7ucyzojn3g&oe=6A613358",
        "author": {
          "username": "_funtastic.tendo_",
          "url": "https://instagram.com/_funtastic.tendo_"
        },
        "engagement": {
          "likes": 38,
          "comments": 2
        },
        "hashtags": [
          "Nickelodeon",
          "RockosModernLife",
          "InvaderZim",
          "Zim",
          "Rocko"
        ],
        "mentions": []
      },
      {
        "platform": "instagram",
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DY_mecpsUxU/",
        "id": "3909012219696860244_440457624",
        "postType": "Image",
        "productType": "feed",
        "section": "TV & Movies",
        "topic": "Bollywood TV & Movies",
        "caption": "From the loyal Circuit to the intense Kabir Singh, there’s a Bollywood character that matches your vibe 🎬✨ Share this and ask your friends who you remind them of 🔥\n\n#IIFA #Bollywood #BollywoodCharacters\n\n[IIFA, Bollywood, Bollywood Characters, Bollywood Movies, Relatable, viral]",
        "description": "From the loyal Circuit to the intense Kabir Singh, there’s a Bollywood character that matches your vibe 🎬✨ Share this and ask your friends who you remind them of 🔥\n\n#IIFA #Bollywood #BollywoodCharacters\n\n[IIFA, Bollywood, Bollywood Characters, Bollywood Movies, Relatable, viral]",
        "publishedAt": "2026-05-31T06:56:47Z",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-ord5-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/711945594_18590721541009625_3749056379524063368_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ig_cache_key=MzkwOTAxMjIxOTY5Njg2MDI0NA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMzI3NC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMiJ9&_nc_ohc=bmLjV_IVKcIQ7kNvwE81_lu&_nc_oc=AdoDsXc_j6tr4RrgaGfk3IEB4HLTcUh_Xk9IHN3epo3XbZKkb1DDVrPJ8CJIzIakCtwNJFl_aWwaHHObtYMBdo35&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=4bDSULEL-LvNhOk3CA-9OA&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_AQCOudtazz9ddyuXi6Lc0_dK-h7K52jzbWgxA_8071_sRQ&oe=6A613EEF",
        "author": {
          "username": "iifa",
          "url": "https://instagram.com/iifa"
        },
        "engagement": {
          "likes": 139313,
          "comments": 1620
        },
        "hashtags": [
          "IIFA",
          "Bollywood",
          "BollywoodCharacters"
        ],
        "mentions": []
      },
      {
        "platform": "instagram",
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DYH6umnjyK8/",
        "id": "3893338692144538300_41765305898",
        "postType": "Sidecar",
        "productType": "carousel_container",
        "section": "TV & Movies",
        "topic": "Anime TV & Movies",
        "caption": "5 anime movies that will stay with you forever.\nYour Name — two souls connected across time who spend their whole lives searching for each other without knowing why.\nSpirited Away — a young girl who enters a world beyond imagination and discovers who she truly is.\nGrave of the Fireflies — a brother who gave everything to protect his little sister during the darkest chapter of history.\nA Silent Voice — a story about the weight of words and the courage to face what you've done\nPrincess Mononoke — a battle between humanity and nature told through some of the most breathtaking animation ever created.\n\nFollow @senpai_clipz for more recommendations \n\n#animerecommendation #anime #movies #animemovie",
        "description": "5 anime movies that will stay with you forever.\nYour Name — two souls connected across time who spend their whole lives searching for each other without knowing why.\nSpirited Away — a young girl who enters a world beyond imagination and discovers who she truly is.\nGrave of the Fireflies — a brother who gave everything to protect his little sister during the darkest chapter of history.\nA Silent Voice — a story about the weight of words and the courage to face what you've done\nPrincess Mononoke — a battle between humanity and nature told through some of the most breathtaking animation ever created.\n\nFollow @senpai_clipz for more recommendations \n\n#animerecommendation #anime #movies #animemovie",
        "publishedAt": "2026-05-09T15:56:01Z",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/686428821_18073015601393899_5431269596460602743_n.webp?_nc_cat=105&ig_cache_key=Mzg5MzMzODI0ODU5Njg4MjE5OA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkNBUk9VU0VMX0lURU0ueHBpZHMuMTA4MC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=fd3xTiid5wcQ7kNvwE-zAT7&_nc_oc=AdobOxcN80wcgSVp1ePF6zH-b0nR5kqTFUTtKEkU2Xq24aytFCdeFh7PjdanH7Aj9oKVwOA6R4YJPWgpBoOpTMqk&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=4bDSULEL-LvNhOk3CA-9OA&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_AQDRgHfGawEVfATVtpEHs6QEicT5jpsRZ23biK3xCDSxcg&oe=6A613151",
        "author": {
          "username": "senpai_clipz",
          "url": "https://instagram.com/senpai_clipz"
        },
        "engagement": {
          "likes": 34934,
          "comments": 214
        },
        "hashtags": [
          "animerecommendation",
          "anime",
          "movies",
          "animemovie"
        ],
        "mentions": [
          "senpai_clipz"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "instagram",
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/BufGB13BaY4/",
        "id": "1990336075151025720_6128399130",
        "postType": "Image",
        "productType": "feed",
        "section": "TV & Movies",
        "topic": "Romance TV & Movies",
        "caption": "This weekend’s TV movies! Hallmark brings back cutie Luke McFarlan & Lifetime has killers and teachers.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n#weekend #tvmovies #hallmarkchannel #lifetimemovies #justaddromance #thekillerdownstairs #thewrongteacher #teacher #killer #romance #movies #mystery",
        "description": "This weekend’s TV movies! Hallmark brings back cutie Luke McFarlan & Lifetime has killers and teachers.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n.\n#weekend #tvmovies #hallmarkchannel #lifetimemovies #justaddromance #thekillerdownstairs #thewrongteacher #teacher #killer #romance #movies #mystery",
        "publishedAt": "2019-03-02T00:29:31Z",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/618817691_18189430942353747_6483105427935217514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ig_cache_key=MTk5MDMzNjA3NTE1MTAyNTcyMA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMTA4MC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=6FbxOe55vUoQ7kNvwGwA_GC&_nc_oc=AdpafbyW-IFKVBG27wxa2tGDH7My9oGmV8HpjUz7MbfHIFVSlU2Sg71UfkF3FggNLwJIPhFT5ipTpBI1LnUfGbiR&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=4bDSULEL-LvNhOk3CA-9OA&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_AQBDlUe_2KbxMLZRCveHQjblo0k9cBVyxwsaRJ6VlQaANA&oe=6A612C9F",
        "author": {
          "username": "lifetimeuncorked",
          "url": "https://instagram.com/lifetimeuncorked"
        },
        "engagement": {
          "likes": 25,
          "comments": 0
        },
        "hashtags": [
          "weekend",
          "tvmovies",
          "hallmarkchannel",
          "lifetimemovies",
          "justaddromance"
        ],
        "mentions": []
      },
      {
        "platform": "instagram",
        "url": "https://www.instagram.com/p/DYZxoehoSko/",
        "id": "3898365238300453160_46977791697",
        "postType": "Image",
        "productType": "feed",
        "section": "TV & Movies",
        "topic": "TV & Movies Celebrities",
        "caption": "𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐎𝐓𝐓 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 - Streaming Now 🤩🍿\n\n𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥 \n#MrX (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) - JioHotstar & SimplySouth\n\n#Kaalidas2 (Tamil) - PrimeVideo, Sunnxt, ShortFlix, SimplySouth, AhaTamil, Tentkotta & LionsGatePlay\n\n𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐠𝐮\n#Anaganaga (Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi) - ETvWin \n\n#ThimmarajupalliTV (Telugu, Tamil) - AhaVideo\n\n𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦\n#OruDuroohaSaahacharyathil (Malayalam) - Netflix\n\nDerby (Malayalam) - PrimeVideo, SimplySouth\n\n𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢\nD-h-u-r-a-n-d-h-a-r : The Revenge (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) - Netflix (Outside India)\n\nKartavya (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English) - Netflix\n\n𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢\nTighee (Marathi) - Zee5\n\n𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡\nMartySupreme (English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi) - PrimeVideo\n\nOffCampus 🥵 (English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi) [Series] - PrimeVideo\n\nThePunisher: One Last Kill (English) - JioHotstar",
        "description": "𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐎𝐓𝐓 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 - Streaming Now 🤩🍿\n\n𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥 \n#MrX (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) - JioHotstar & SimplySouth\n\n#Kaalidas2 (Tamil) - PrimeVideo, Sunnxt, ShortFlix, SimplySouth, AhaTamil, Tentkotta & LionsGatePlay\n\n𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐠𝐮\n#Anaganaga (Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi) - ETvWin \n\n#ThimmarajupalliTV (Telugu, Tamil) - AhaVideo\n\n𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦\n#OruDuroohaSaahacharyathil (Malayalam) - Netflix\n\nDerby (Malayalam) - PrimeVideo, SimplySouth\n\n𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢\nD-h-u-r-a-n-d-h-a-r : The Revenge (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) - Netflix (Outside India)\n\nKartavya (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English) - Netflix\n\n𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢\nTighee (Marathi) - Zee5\n\n𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡\nMartySupreme (English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi) - PrimeVideo\n\nOffCampus 🥵 (English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi) [Series] - PrimeVideo\n\nThePunisher: One Last Kill (English) - JioHotstar",
        "publishedAt": "2026-05-16T14:23:40Z",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-ord5-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/700658142_18081480737567698_3872474111160457300_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ig_cache_key=Mzg5ODM2NTIzODMwMDQ1MzE2MA%3D%3D.3-ccb7-5&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=58cdad&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6IkZFRUQueHBpZHMuMzIwMC5zZHIucmVndWxhcl9waG90by5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=P7hDocBNdmwQ7kNvwHZRpyP&_nc_oc=AdoNQ5EHi60OD4yvx3IrrmrYRH0SSMJAxmDVAEq9E0Fr59zGKaVfxeKprLuXjrIr9gNoOIH6V6LxKahY29Zg3bMe&_nc_ad=z-m&_nc_cid=0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-3.cdninstagram.com&_nc_gid=4bDSULEL-LvNhOk3CA-9OA&_nc_ss=7a22e&oh=00_AQBzl7J3U-v9s_Sd458kqi2vFpjWtUj536RFjPdww0Dp8A&oe=6A611EE8",
        "author": {
          "username": "boxofficesouthindian",
          "url": "https://instagram.com/boxofficesouthindian"
        },
        "engagement": {
          "likes": 2094,
          "comments": 6
        },
        "hashtags": [
          "MrX",
          "Kaalidas2",
          "Anaganaga",
          "ThimmarajupalliTV",
          "OruDuroohaSaahacharyathil"
        ],
        "mentions": []
      }
    ]
  }
}

Billing metadata (credits charged, cache hit/miss) is returned in the X-Captapi-Credits and X-Captapi-Cache response headers.

Request parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
country	string	No	Country for Explore localization — full name or ISO code (e.g. 'United States', 'US', 'Turkey', 'TR'). Default United States. 35 countries supported.
limit	integer	No	Max items to return (default 20, max 200). Billed per result.
cache	boolean	No	Set true to serve from the 24h response cache. Default false — always fetch fresh data.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Instagram Trending Reels API do?

The Instagram Trending Reels API lets you list items in bulk with metadata from a public Instagram trending reels using one GET request to /v1/instagram/trending-reels. It returns clean JSON — no OAuth or infrastructure setup required.

How many credits does the Instagram Trending Reels API cost?

At the default limit this endpoint costs 28 credits (1.4 per result). Billing scales with how many results you request. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h shared cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. 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, Rumble, Spotify, Kwai, and more. We handle proxies, rate limits, retries, and authentication for you.

Is the Instagram Trending Reels API suitable for production use?

Yes. It is a stable REST endpoint with predictable JSON and automatic retries. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h shared cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Use it for analytics, monitoring, and content automation.

Ready to get Instagram trending reels?

Start free with 100 credits — no credit card required.

Get your free API key