# Instagram Following API (https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/instagram/following)

> Returns a paginated list of the accounts an Instagram user follows. Each account includes username, display name, avatar URL, verification status, and profile URL. Pass either `handle` or `user_id`, and page through with `cursor`.

TL;DR: `GET /v1/instagram/following` costs 5 credits per call and returns SocialCrawl's unified JSON schema. Single x-api-key auth, 100 free credits on signup.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `handle` | no | Instagram username without the @ symbol. |
| `user_id` | no | Instagram numeric user ID. Use this for faster responses. |
| `cursor` | no | Pagination cursor. Use the `next_cursor` from the previous response to fetch the next page. |

## Code example

```bash
curl "https://www.socialcrawl.dev/v1/instagram/following" \
  -H "x-api-key: sc_YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## FAQ

### How do I get the accounts an Instagram user follows via API?

Send a GET request to /v1/instagram/following with a handle or user_id. SocialCrawl returns a JSON array of the accounts that user follows, each with username, display name, avatar URL, verified status, and profile URL.

### Can I query the following list by user ID?

Yes. Pass user_id instead of handle. user_id is faster because SocialCrawl does not need to resolve the username to an ID before pulling the following list.

### How do I paginate the full following list?

The response returns a cursor. Send it back as the cursor parameter on your next call to get the next page, and repeat until the cursor is empty.

### How much does the Instagram Following API cost?

Each request costs 5 credits on the advanced tier for one page of accounts. New accounts start with 100 free credits and no credit card is required to try it.

### What is the following list useful for?

The following graph reveals interests and affinities: see which brands or creators a prospect follows for lead scoring, competitor research, or influencer-fit checks.

See the full Instagram API: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/instagram

## Pricing

- Standard endpoints: 1 credit per call
- Advanced endpoints: 5 credits per call
- Premium endpoints: 10 credits per call
- 100 free credits on signup, no credit card required. Cached responses cost 0 credits. Credit packs never expire.
- Full pricing: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/pricing

## Explore with AI

Questions this API answers, phrased for an AI assistant:

- How to fetch the accounts an Instagram profile follows with an API
- API to see which brands an Instagram user follows for lead scoring