# Instagram Reel Transcript API

> Transcribe any public Instagram reel or video post: the full speech transcript, speaker labels, and word-level timestamps, from a reel, /p/, or /tv/ URL or an Instagram CDN media URL you already hold. A video post is transcribed exactly like a reel. A photo post comes back found with its record and an empty transcript, charged the request price only. Transcription runs on MAI-Transcribe-2, chosen for its accuracy and its speaker labels. Turn on hostVideo to also get the MP4 on a hosted link that plays without an Instagram session. If you only want the text, instagram.media_transcript is the cheaper transcript-only option; if you only want the file, instagram.post is where you go.

Source: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/reel-transcript
API reference: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/reel-transcript/docs

## Facts

- Provider: Instagram
- Type: Data API
- Endpoint: `POST https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/reel-transcript`
- Price: From $0.10 per call
- Capabilities: api, instagram, social media
- Billing: pay per use from one SandBase balance; no provider account or subscription needed

## Call it

`POST https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/reel-transcript` with `Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY` and the parameters as a JSON body.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Allowed values |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `url` | string | yes |  |
| `hostVideo` | boolean | no |  |
| `wordTimestamps` | boolean | no |  |

## FAQ

### How do I use the Instagram Reel Transcript API?

Send a POST request to https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/reel-transcript with your SandBase API key in the Authorization header (Bearer) and the parameters as a JSON body. You can also try it in the Playground on this page without writing code.

### How much does the Instagram Reel Transcript API cost?

From $0.10 per call, billed from your SandBase balance. You are only charged for calls you make; there is no subscription.

### What parameters does the Instagram Reel Transcript API accept?

Required: url (string). Optional: hostVideo (boolean) and wordTimestamps (boolean). The Parameters table and the Playground on this page list every field.

### What does the Instagram Reel Transcript API return?

A JSON response returned in the same HTTP request (synchronous).

### Do I need a Instagram developer account or API key?

No. Instagram Reel Transcript runs through SandBase, so one SandBase API key covers this endpoint and every other API and model in the catalog. You do not need to apply for Instagram API access separately.

## README

### Instagram Reel Transcript API

Transcribe any public Instagram reel or video post: the full speech transcript, speaker labels, and word-level timestamps, from a reel, /p/, or /tv/ URL or an Instagram CDN media URL you already hold. A video post is transcribed exactly like a reel. A photo post comes back found with its record and an empty transcript, charged the request price only. Transcription runs on MAI-Transcribe-2, chosen for its accuracy and its speaker labels. Turn on hostVideo to also get the MP4 on a hosted link that plays without an Instagram session. If you only want the text, instagram.media_transcript is the cheaper transcript-only option; if you only want the file, instagram.post is where you go.

#### Request

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/reel-transcript" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfY6jCIgH-P/", "hostVideo": true, "wordTimestamps": false}'
```

The result is returned in `outputs[0].data`. A lookup that finds nothing still succeeds and returns `found: false`.

#### Parameters

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `url` | string | Yes | The URL of a public Instagram reel or video post (e.g. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8yKXdRxKqK/), or an Instagram CDN media URL you already hold. |
| `hostVideo` | boolean | No | Set true to also get the reel's MP4 on a hosted link you can play without an Instagram session. Charged as an extra on top of the transcript (e.g. true). A photo post has no file to host, so a request that sets this on o |
| `wordTimestamps` | boolean | No | Set true to include a precise timestamp for every word in the transcript (e.g. true). Default `false`. |

#### Pricing

Billed at the actual cost of each call, usually $0.095 per request. A call can cost more when the first data source fails and another one answers. Failed calls are not charged. Lookups that find nothing and searches with no results are billed at their actual cost, which is often lower and can be $0.