# Instagram Stories (basic) API

> Fetch a public Instagram account's currently live stories - media URL, owner, and posting time - by username. Lightweight projection; for media type, dimensions, and the 24h expiry time use instagram.stories_full.

Source: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/stories-thin
API reference: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/stories-thin/docs

## Facts

- Provider: Instagram
- Type: Data API
- Endpoint: `POST https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/stories-thin`
- Price: From $0.0019 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/stories-thin` with `Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY` and the parameters as a JSON body.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Allowed values |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `username` | string | yes |  |
| `requireFields` | array | no |  |

## FAQ

### How do I use the Instagram Stories (basic) API?

Send a POST request to https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/stories-thin 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 Stories (basic) API cost?

From $0.0019 per call, billed from your SandBase balance. You are only charged for calls you make; there is no subscription.

### What parameters does the Instagram Stories (basic) API accept?

Required: username (string). Optional: requireFields (array). The Parameters table and the Playground on this page list every field.

### What does the Instagram Stories (basic) API return?

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

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

No. Instagram Stories (basic) 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 Stories (basic) API

Fetch a public Instagram account's currently live stories - media URL, owner, and posting time - by username. Lightweight projection; for media type, dimensions, and the 24h expiry time use instagram.stories_full.

#### Request

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/stories-thin" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"username": "nba"}'
```

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

#### Parameters

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `username` | string | Yes | Instagram username/handle to fetch currently live stories for (without the @). |
| `requireFields` | array | No | Optional; omit it and routing is unchanged, with the cheapest source serving. Name the output fields this request must be able to return, for example `durationSeconds`, and it is served only by a source that returns ever |

#### Pricing

Billed at the actual cost of each call, usually $0.00188 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.