How to run a Threads search users
GET request to /v1/threads/search-users with your input. You get clean JSON back in seconds for 1 credit per call — no OAuth, scraping or platform SDKs. Threads user discovery from keyword search — id, handle, avatar, verified. Flat 1 credit.How to run a Threads search users (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 Threads Search Users API
Send an authenticated GET request to /v1/threads/search-users 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/threads/search-users?q=tech" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer capt_live_..."
# or: -H "x-api-key: capt_live_..."What the response looks like
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"query": "tech",
"totalReturned": 5,
"users": [
{
"id": "63419899106",
"username": "3dfreelancing",
"displayName": "DesignX3D",
"url": "https://www.threads.net/@3dfreelancing",
"verified": false,
"profileImage": "https://scontent-fml20-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/358048371_611813460748673_7424252667534087950_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InByb2ZpbGVfcGljLmRqYW5nby4xMDgwLmMyIn0&_nc_ht=scontent-fml20-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=Q6cZ2gEuCNzOQBL3WLzHjDVRIUD7nfx3k_HdX2EBkqaiTQ4PmTXyR_B_-1b8j4rN_XouC9U&_nc_ohc=ClRgc8VdrWUQ7kNvwGYy0bX&_nc_gid=BMY7SQQ5QtTZglymKPVK5A&edm=APs17CUBAAAA&ccb=7-5&oh=00_AQFt9IQAYLyjaUWIxFVZ1Soax9syl38lEYeCSesfZ69jGQ&oe=6A77DF17&_nc_sid=10d13b",
"followers": null
},
{
"id": "69067321051",
"username": "sgt.edsmia",
"displayName": "Eds Mia",
"url": "https://www.threads.net/@sgt.edsmia",
"verified": false,
"profileImage": "https://scontent-fml20-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/616077711_17908752390297052_8918972735608639981_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s150x150_tt6&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InByb2ZpbGVfcGljLmRqYW5nby4xMDIyLmMyIn0&_nc_ht=scontent-fml20-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=Q6cZ2gEuCNzOQBL3WLzHjDVRIUD7nfx3k_HdX2EBkqaiTQ4PmTXyR_B_-1b8j4rN_XouC9U&_nc_ohc=PVTn-IDWAVsQ7kNvwFHmDGu&_nc_gid=BMY7SQQ5QtTZglymKPVK5A&edm=APs17CUBAAAA&ccb=7-5&oh=00_AQFFSvfmo4CklK7KwP_B_B-6LlLzoy9Vf5bVT9IRy_MtTQ&oe=6A77D171&_nc_sid=10d13b",
"followers": null
}
]
}
}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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| q | string | Yes | Keyword to find Threads users / creators (min 2 characters). |
| limit | integer | No | Max items to return (default 20, max 100). Flat 1 credit per call. |
| cache | boolean | No | Set true to serve from the 24h response cache (0 credits on hit). Default false — always fetch fresh. Envelope includes cached + cachedAt on hits. |
Frequently asked questions
What does the Threads Search Users API do?
The Threads Search Users API lets you search and return matching results from a public Threads query using one GET request to /v1/threads/search-users. It returns clean JSON — no OAuth or infrastructure setup required.
How many credits does the Threads Search Users API cost?
Each successful call costs 1 credit. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Hits include cached + cachedAt. Selected profile endpoints also accept cacheMaxAge=1d|3d|7d|14d|30d. Failed or empty results are never charged.
Do I need a Threads 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.
Why is this 1 credit when older docs said ~14?
Flat 1 credit — parity with TikTok search-users and ScrapeCreators Threads search/users. The old ~14 figure was a per-result extended-path rate at default limit 20; success is always billed at the published flat price now.
Why don't the usernames match my query?
This is not a semantic people-search. Users are distinct authors of posts that matched the keyword on Meta's Top SERP — the handle or bio may not contain the query. For follower counts and bio, call Threads Profile with the returned url.
Why is followers null?
Search post authors rarely embed follower_count. The key stays present as null for a stable parser — use /v1/threads/profile for counts.
Is the Threads Search Users 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 cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Hits include cached + cachedAt. Selected profile endpoints also accept cacheMaxAge=1d|3d|7d|14d|30d. Use it for analytics, monitoring, and content automation.
Ready to run a Threads search users?
Start free with 100 credits — no credit card required.
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