# Instagram User Embed API (https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/instagram/user-embed)

> Returns embeddable HTML snippet for an Instagram user profile that can be embedded on external websites.

TL;DR: `GET /v1/instagram/user/embed` costs 1 credit per call and returns SocialCrawl's unified JSON schema. Single x-api-key auth, 100 free credits on signup.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `handle` | yes | Instagram username without the @ symbol |

## Code example

```bash
curl "https://www.socialcrawl.dev/v1/instagram/user/embed?handle=instagram" \
  -H "x-api-key: sc_YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## FAQ

### How do I get Instagram embed data for a user?

Send a GET request to /v1/instagram/user/embed with the handle parameter. SocialCrawl returns a compact JSON object that mirrors Instagram's public embed payload — enough to render a profile preview card without a full scrape.

### What fields does the Instagram Embed API return?

The payload includes the username, full name, profile picture URL, a short bio snippet, a handful of preview posts (where Instagram exposes them), and flags like is_verified and is_private. Enough to build a profile preview.

### When should I use the embed endpoint instead of profile?

Use embed when you only need a lightweight preview — link unfurls, profile cards, mentions in chat UIs, or link-in-bio previews. For follower counts, post history, or analytics use the full profile endpoint instead.

### Is the embed endpoint cheaper than the profile endpoint?

Both the embed and full profile endpoints cost 1 credit on the standard tier. The embed endpoint is valuable because it is lighter to process and returns faster, not because it is priced lower.

### Can I build an Instagram link preview with the embed API?

Yes. The embed response contains the profile image, name, and short bio you need to render a link preview or unfurl card. Cache the response on your side to avoid re-hitting the endpoint for the same user.

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 build an Instagram profile link preview for a chat app
- Lightweight Instagram API for profile card and link unfurl data