# Instagram General Search (V2) API

> Returns Instagram search results matching a specified keyword, including media items, user profiles, and engagement statistics.

Source: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/v2/general-search
API reference: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/v2/general-search/docs

## Facts

- Provider: Instagram
- Type: Data API
- Endpoint: `POST https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v2/general-search`
- Price: $0.003 per call
- Free allowance: 100 calls per organization per UTC day, shared across eligible APIs
- Capabilities: api, instagram
- Billing: pay per use from one SandBase balance; no provider account or subscription needed

## Call it

`POST https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v2/general-search` with `Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY` and the parameters as a JSON body.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Allowed values |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `keyword` | string | yes |  |
| `pagination_token` | string | no |  |

## FAQ

### How do I use the Instagram General Search (V2) API?

Send a POST request to https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v2/general-search 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 General Search (V2) API cost?

$0.003 per call. Every organization gets 100 free calls per UTC day, shared across eligible SandBase APIs including this one; after that each call is billed at this price from your SandBase balance. There is no subscription.

### What parameters does the Instagram General Search (V2) API accept?

Required: keyword (string). Optional: pagination_token (string). The Parameters table and the Playground on this page list every field.

### What does the Instagram General Search (V2) API return?

A JSON response returned in the same HTTP request (synchronous). The README on this page includes a sample response.

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

No. Instagram General Search (V2) 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 General Search (V2) API

Query Instagram posts and related media content by specifying a `keyword`. Use `pagination_token` to retrieve subsequent pages of results.

#### Use cases

- Discover trending media posts and reels related to specific topics.
- Monitor engagement metrics and captions across keyword-specific posts.
- Identify active creators producing content around target search terms.

#### Request

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v2/general-search" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"keyword": "cat"}'
```

#### Parameters

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `keyword` | string | Yes | Search keyword |
| `pagination_token` | string | No | Pagination token from previous response |

#### Example response

Real response for the request above, trimmed to the main fields. User names and long IDs are masked.

```json
{
  "data": {
    "items": [
      {
        "caption_is_edited": false,
        "coauthor_producer_can_see_organic_insights": false,
        "comment_count": 1150,
        "device_timestamp": 908953868710284,
        "filter_type": 0,
        "id": "3773673916037486064",
        "like_and_view_counts_disabled": false,
        "like_count": 54439,
        "media_name": "reel",
        "media_type": 2,
        "caption": {
          "content_type": "comment",
          "id": "3773673916037486064",
          "private_reply_status": 0,
          "status": "Active",
          "text": "#catsoftheday #cat #cutecats #catlovers❤️",
          "type": 1
        },
        "clips_metadata": {
          "audio_canonical_id": "18438577903101394",
          "audio_type": "original_sounds",
          "professional_clips_upsell_type": 0
        },
        "user": {
          "follower_count": 240938,
          "full_name": "𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇",
          "id": "47539634885",
          "profile_pic_id": "3737640702256854188",
          "profile_pic_url": "https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-19/562433378_18068299718586…",
          "type": "XDTUserDict"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

#### Notes

- Pass `pagination_token` from a previous response to paginate through search results.

#### Related APIs

- [Instagram Comment Replies (V2)](/model/instagram/v2/comment-replies): Retrieves a paginated list of replies to an Instagram comment using the post URL or shortcode and the target comment ID.
- [Instagram Hashtag Posts (V2)](/model/instagram/v2/hashtag-posts): Returns posts associated with a specific hashtag.
- [Instagram Highlight Stories](/model/instagram/v2/highlight-stories): Returns all stories contained within a specific Instagram highlight using its unique identifier.