# Instagram General Search (V3) API

> Returns search results across media grids based on a keyword query. Supports pagination tokens and optional metadata flags.

Source: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/v3/general-search
API reference: https://www.sandbase.ai/apis/instagram/v3/general-search/docs

## Facts

- Provider: Instagram
- Type: Data API
- Endpoint: `POST https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v3/general-search`
- Price: $0.01 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/v3/general-search` with `Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY` and the parameters as a JSON body.

| Parameter | Type | Required | Allowed values |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `query` | string | yes |  |
| `enable_metadata` | boolean | no |  |
| `next_max_id` | string | no |  |
| `rank_token` | string | no |  |

## FAQ

### How do I use the Instagram General Search (V3) API?

Send a POST request to https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v3/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 (V3) API cost?

$0.01 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 (V3) API accept?

Required: query (string). Optional: enable_metadata (boolean), next_max_id (string) and rank_token (string). The Parameters table and the Playground on this page list every field.

### What does the Instagram General Search (V3) 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 (V3) 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 (V3) API

Search Instagram content using a target keyword via `query`. Retrieve subsequent pages using `next_max_id` and `rank_token`.

#### Use cases

- Discover Instagram posts and media matching specific topic keywords.
- Collect media grid feeds for topic-based content analysis.
- Track brand or keyword presence across indexed platform posts.

#### Request

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.sandbase.ai/v1/api/instagram/v3/general-search" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SANDBASE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query": "openai"}'
```

#### Parameters

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `query` | string | Yes | Search keyword |
| `rank_token` | string | No | Rank token, omit for first request, get from previous response `data.rank_token` |
| `next_max_id` | string | No | Pagination ID, omit for first request, get from previous response `data.next_max_id` |
| `enable_metadata` | boolean | No | Enable metadata |

#### Example response

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

```json
{
  "media_grid": {
    "sections": [
      {
        "feed_type": "media",
        "layout_type": "media_grid"
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

#### Notes

- For subsequent pages, pass `next_max_id` from the previous response.
- Provide `rank_token` from `data.rank_token` of earlier calls to maintain search ranking.
- Set `enable_metadata` to include additional search metadata.

#### Related APIs

- [Instagram Comment Bulk Translation](/model/instagram/v3/bulk-translate-comments): Returns bulk translations for multiple Instagram comments using a list of comment identifiers.
- [Instagram Comment Replies (V3)](/model/instagram/v3/comment-replies): Returns child comment replies for a specific Instagram comment using the post media ID and parent comment ID.
- [Instagram Explore Feed](/model/instagram/v3/explore): Returns curated sectional items from the Instagram explore feed, including layout formats and feed types.