# Instagram Similar API (https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/instagram/similar)

> Returns a list of Instagram accounts similar to a given user — the related accounts Instagram surfaces as suggestions. Each account includes username, display name, avatar URL, verification status, and profile URL. Pass either `handle` or `user_id`. Passing `user_id` is faster because no username lookup is needed.

TL;DR: `GET /v1/instagram/similar` 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. |

## Code example

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

## FAQ

### How do I get Instagram's suggested similar accounts via API?

Send a GET request to /v1/instagram/similar with a handle or user_id. SocialCrawl returns the related accounts Instagram surfaces for that user as a JSON array with username, display name, avatar URL, verified status, and profile URL.

### Where do the similar accounts come from?

They are the related or suggested profiles Instagram itself associates with the target account, the same set shown in the app's suggested-for-you panel, normalized into the unified schema.

### Can I use user_id for the similar accounts lookup?

Yes. Pass user_id instead of handle. Using user_id is faster because no username-to-ID resolution step is needed before the request runs.

### How much does the similar accounts API cost?

Each request costs 5 credits on the advanced tier. New accounts get 100 free credits with no credit card, so you can map account clusters before paying.

### What is this endpoint good for?

Similar accounts map competitive sets and niches: expand an influencer shortlist, discover competitors near a brand, or build lookalike audiences for outreach.

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 get Instagram's related or suggested accounts through an API
- API to find accounts similar to a given Instagram profile