How to Scrape Facebook Posts with Ruby

Extract posts data from Facebook

💎 Using Ruby

Overview

Learn how to scrape Facebook posts using Ruby. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from setup to implementation.

What You'll Learn

  • • Setting up your development environment
  • • Installing the required HTTP client
  • • Authenticating with the ScrapeCreators API
  • • Making requests to Facebook
  • • Handling responses and errors
  • • Best practices for production use

What You'll Get

  • • Access to posts data
  • • JSON formatted responses
  • • Real-time data access
  • • Scalable solution
  • • Error handling patterns
  • • Performance optimization tips

Prerequisites

1. API Key

First, you'll need a ScrapeCreators API key to authenticate your requests.

Sign up at app.scrapecreators.com to get your free API key with 100 requests.

2. Development Environment

Make sure you have the following installed:

  • • Ruby and its dependencies
  • • A code editor (VS Code, Sublime, etc.)
  • • Basic understanding of API requests
  • • Command line interface access

Step 1: Install HTTP Client

HTTParty is a Ruby library that makes HTTP requests easy

gem
gem install httparty

Step 2: API Implementation

Now let's make a request to the Facebook API using Ruby. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key.

Ruby
require 'httparty'
require 'json'

API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY'

def scrape
  response = HTTParty.get(
    "https://api.scrapecreators.com/v1/facebook/profile/posts",
    headers: {
      'x-api-key' => API_KEY,
      'Content-Type' => 'application/json'
    },
    query: {
        'url' => 'https://www.facebook.com/pacemorby',
      'pageId' => '100063669491743',
      'cursor' => 'Cg8Ob3JnYW5pY19jdXJzb3IJA...'
    }
  )

  puts 'Response:'
  puts JSON.pretty_generate(response.parsed_response)
  response.parsed_response
rescue => e
  puts "Error: #{e.message}"
  nil
end

# Usage
result = scrape

Step 3: Testing Your Code

API Parameters

This endpoint accepts the following parameters:

urlOptional(string)

Facebook profile URL

Example: https://www.facebook.com/pacemorby

pageIdOptional(string)

Facebook profile page id

Example: 100063669491743

cursorOptional(string)

To paginate through the posts

Example: Cg8Ob3JnYW5pY19jdXJzb3IJA...

Run Your Code

Execute your script to test the API connection. You should see a JSON response with Facebook posts data.

✅ Success: You should receive a structured JSON response containing the requested data.

Expected Response

Here's an example of the JSON response you'll receive:

Sample Response
{
  "success": true,
  "posts": [
    {
      "id": "1204545088344463",
      "text": "I've had such a blast doing the No One Left Behind Challenge this year! Join me this Friday Dec 20 @ 5PM MST to learn about next month's challenge! https://subto.sjv.io/3Jk9Py",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/486651220706068/",
      "permalink": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/486651220706068/",
      "author": {
        "__typename": "User",
        "name": "Pace Morby",
        "short_name": "Pace Morby",
        "id": "100063669491743"
      },
      "videoDetails": {
        "sdUrl": "https://video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQM-5pP3onM9DT-mhIF1lsU_5QIoHD3ezSh_534fSvquBk1J89JZc5j6cQzDP7ksAp5LQGEiJSVYnPWJVYmbgj42.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=8bf8fe&_nc_ht=video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=myLadhBf0ekQ7kNvgH7M8Js&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzNlLjM2MC5zdmVfc2QiLCJ4cHZfYXNzZXRfaWQiOjExMjIwMjE0NDI4NDEyMTYsInZpX3VzZWNhc2VfaWQiOjEwMTIwLCJkdXJhdGlvbl9zIjo0MSwidXJsZ2VuX3NvdXJjZSI6Ind3dyJ9&ccb=17-1&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AYEC_emahkqbCvG8fdT8745B6NgR005IOXFslY3cbX8vVQ&oe=67DBF193",
        "hdUrl": "https://video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQPpb__shxY1O25oSbb2cYJJZdDS1uvPXNvL_wuUl3A5X4oczA14gCptufMdZIQ44Fa1nPHR7BJne11vQR0-kjxg.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=5e9851&_nc_ht=video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=A8zHzpvkW7gQ7kNvgH7rC10&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzNlLjcxOC5kYXNoX2gyNjQtYmFzaWMtZ2VuMl83MjBwIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjoxMTIyMDIxNDQyODQxMjE2LCJ2aV91c2VjYXNlX2lkIjoxMDEyMCwiZHVyYXRpb25fcyI6NDEsInVybGdlbl9zb3VyY2UiOiJ3d3cifQ%3D%3D&ccb=17-1&vs=55aa7ea7f63fa16a&_nc_vs=HBksFQIYOnBhc3N0aHJvdWdoX2V2ZXJzdG9yZS9HQ0RxRHh4LTh0cUt3UFlEQUw2b0RSdTQ0dXQyYm1kakFBQUYVAALIAQAVAhg6cGFzc3Rocm91Z2hfZXZlcnN0b3JlL0dKbUREeHpUY0l2OUotMERBRGd5RVFhbXo2OWZickZxQUFBRhUCAsgBACgAGAAbAogHdXNlX29pbAExEnByb2dyZXNzaXZlX3JlY2lwZQExFQAAJoCqv5ifnv4DFQIoA0MzZSwXQETe2RaHKwIYGWRhc2hfaDI2NC1iYXNpYy1nZW4yXzcyMHARAHUCAA&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AYHZ0-S4uD1baiPZOqxXl42i74UuWxjyYp-k5Dr7yuQs8w&oe=67DBE6E0",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/470601406_1890766051448666_5960639905933280594_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=be8305&_nc_ohc=J2akzbIcN6YQ7kNvgG1IA8_&_nc_oc=AdjagDgUUwSzsa_e8vqInwXyyB57thjMdZ0w4daZ0kLaM1g4xZsv56Q-2REAPzOzDdesjbOxpKtxdUYKNQetO-u3&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&_nc_gid=1q0R8aSRmKitPpFFDxvSfQ&oh=00_AYGj7VpqDzBwgIcAEKdSnqMq2IuwKqbNtTrpNKE6y5EsCQ&oe=67DBEC4D"
      },
      "reactionCount": 133,
      "commentCount": 12,
      "videoViewCount": null,
      "publishTime": 1734553170,
      "topComments": [
        {
          "id": "Y29tbWVudDoxMjA0NTQ1MDg4MzQ0NDYzXzEzMDU4NDQ3ODM3NjA1ODk=",
          "text": "How can I sign up?",
          "publishTime": 1734569761,
          "author": {
            "id": "pfbid02uDNsa8qhySfhQJ83VUcVD5mmVShgxNrtepNZ2TwCsg22xMN3NhdNBQbxPjj2dyr9l",
            "name": "BeezMo Jenkins",
            "gender": "MALE",
            "url": null
          }
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "1177973017668337",
      "text": "Getting into real estate isn't easy. But you know what makes it easier? \n\nHaving a team of people working TOGETHER to get their deals!\n\nJoin the NOLB Challenge - Nov 17th-19th to see a full walkthrough on how to get your first deal!\n\nReserve your spot here: NOLBChallenge.com",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/1548769829113168/",
      "permalink": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/1548769829113168/",
      "author": {
        "__typename": "User",
        "name": "Pace Morby",
        "short_name": "Pace Morby",
        "id": "100063669491743"
      },
      "reactionCount": 138,
      "commentCount": 26,
      "videoViewCount": null,
      "publishTime": 1731616669,
      "videoDetails": {
        "sdUrl": "https://video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQMFIW3e9oV2zs9L0t7voV8Ki3fR8hTq-aaIH-l38BklHr5OnluDrnN5WZLk4szbPk-URXtJTQSCd8muXdfo0Zj0.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8bf8fe&_nc_ht=video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=BbdgXqRXB-MQ7kNvgFiNHS6&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzNlLjM2MC5zdmVfc2QiLCJ4cHZfYXNzZXRfaWQiOjE0NzA5ODkwMzA0MzA3NjksInZpX3VzZWNhc2VfaWQiOjEwMTIwLCJkdXJhdGlvbl9zIjo0NSwidXJsZ2VuX3NvdXJjZSI6Ind3dyJ9&ccb=17-1&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AYEa1o37H0d2uYdaAtnlEVQD3wyIvQf3-L9AlCM7LsTVwA&oe=67DBE711",
        "hdUrl": "https://video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQO8YLkiCOyEYG0QEfHaxH2Ir1SwDgiSIn0DaNeo9FgWXucOCd795Hzvq2bVo4ZG0yxL5l0NNuzQTfJAT1uBfczY.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=5e9851&_nc_ht=video-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=56Pz5OYiUTYQ7kNvgFAqLpy&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzNlLjcyMC5kYXNoX2gyNjQtYmFzaWMtZ2VuMl83MjBwIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjoxNDcwOTg5MDMwNDMwNzY5LCJ2aV91c2VjYXNlX2lkIjoxMDEyMCwiZHVyYXRpb25fcyI6NDUsInVybGdlbl9zb3VyY2UiOiJ3d3cifQ%3D%3D&ccb=17-1&vs=60f8b36f7319b883&_nc_vs=HBksFQIYOnBhc3N0aHJvdWdoX2V2ZXJzdG9yZS9HQUxrYXh5aEsxOHlxTUVFQU1yZUhROGFHLThQYm1kakFBQUYVAALIAQAVAhg6cGFzc3Rocm91Z2hfZXZlcnN0b3JlL0dKOXcxQnNIQjRKdWozOEVBSGRHbVVxNVVaUWpidjRHQUFBRhUCAsgBACgAGAAbAogHdXNlX29pbAExEnByb2dyZXNzaXZlX3JlY2lwZQExFQAAJuLghKrq9pwFFQIoA0MzZSwXQEaSj1wo9cMYGWRhc2hfaDI2NC1iYXNpYy1nZW4yXzcyMHARAHUCAA&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AYHkBwqncbOAkzlqRtuZ0eQ8QHog1WAQg3R82Q4drDl1Mg&oe=67DBDF5B",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/466866876_1271142887643537_2312089751444611039_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=be8305&_nc_ohc=JbZ1MpDcaTMQ7kNvgGZJGtJ&_nc_oc=AdguYBOJ5RZQRq5_rQzInbYxAjpzdP-_Qo-yTRIJBabw-26kNKGCII6-bChYEA__EMKp-hO9k216n7PmviYZfEM5&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&_nc_gid=1q0R8aSRmKitPpFFDxvSfQ&oh=00_AYFT7RLoadj2r2vEgFDNURnmKe6MyX8WHO6PIpQ731AwNA&oe=67DBF3C6"
      },
      "topComments": [
        {
          "id": "Y29tbWVudDoxMTc3OTczMDE3NjY4MzM3Xzk3MDAzMjYwNDk1NTg0Ng==",
          "text": "I'm in",
          "publishTime": 1732158216,
          "author": {
            "id": "pfbid0VvEMYiX5n4A4SpFMHp7yMAdtMRPV6vXZ9MtWY1Dsz4q8EPZdSrcB8JPiUEeUsZZtl",
            "name": "Ray Bales",
            "gender": "MALE",
            "url": "https://www.facebook.com/people/Ray-Bales/pfbid0VvEMYiX5n4A4SpFMHp7yMAdtMRPV6vXZ9MtWY1Dsz4q8EPZdSrcB8JPiUEeUsZZtl/"
          }
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "1866425187502168",
      "text": "Pace Morby is joined Jared Morrison on this episode of Get Creative, a young entrepreneur in the SubTo community who has been learning the ropes from Pace and recently decided to make the leap into Real Estate full time.",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/pacemorby/videos/1866425187502168/",
      "permalink": "https://www.facebook.com/pacemorby/videos/1866425187502168/",
      "author": {
        "__typename": "User",
        "name": "Pace Morby",
        "short_name": "Pace Morby",
        "id": "100063669491743"
      },
      "reactionCount": 124,
      "commentCount": 51,
      "videoViewCount": 3209,
      "publishTime": 1727319674,
      "videoDetails": {
        "sdUrl": "https://video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQOzqRyree2mh4It52sA1YxVXzQqne_rX6qGJi4uojEmYneuKthdglmy8cuhg1iAuSbDIhUwHobq_CYVBPuzz1cA.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=5e9851&_nc_ht=video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=UQ6UrNgEADUQ7kNvgFaZacJ&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzNlLjY0MC5kYXNoX2xpdmVfbWRfZnJhZ18yX3ZpZGVvIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjo1MTIwNDMyMjQ3NzM2MTcsInZpX3VzZWNhc2VfaWQiOjEwMTI1LCJkdXJhdGlvbl9zIjoyMDM2LCJ1cmxnZW5fc291cmNlIjoid3d3In0%3D&ccb=17-1&vs=6712e7739b2a8e04&_nc_vs=HBksFQIYOnBhc3N0aHJvdWdoX2V2ZXJzdG9yZS9HSUNXbUFDcXVnQnI3cnNkQUVjaGdIVUlSelpBYnY0R0FBQUYVAALIAQAVAhg6cGFzc3Rocm91Z2hfZXZlcnN0b3JlL0dQejlmaHZzdGpsTnlTZ0RBTUpzYUZwQVRUQnRidjRHQUFBRhUCAsgBACgAGAAbAogHdXNlX29pbAExEnByb2dyZXNzaXZlX3JlY2lwZQExFQAAJuLPrajr7OgBFQIoA0MzZSwXQJ_Td87ZFocYGWRhc2hfbGl2ZV9tZF9mcmFnXzJfdmlkZW8RAHUCAA&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AYEuJStxX0QCSzj-UDimfF_YUKDSL2JnzRsxHGqlOmWPnQ&oe=67DBE308",
        "hdUrl": "https://video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m69/AQOzqRyree2mh4It52sA1YxVXzQqne_rX6qGJi4uojEmYneuKthdglmy8cuhg1iAuSbDIhUwHobq_CYVBPuzz1cA.mp4?strext=1&_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=5e9851&_nc_ht=video-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=UQ6UrNgEADUQ7kNvgFaZacJ&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzNlLjY0MC5kYXNoX2xpdmVfbWRfZnJhZ18yX3ZpZGVvIiwieHB2X2Fzc2V0X2lkIjo1MTIwNDMyMjQ3NzM2MTcsInZpX3VzZWNhc2VfaWQiOjEwMTI1LCJkdXJhdGlvbl9zIjoyMDM2LCJ1cmxnZW5fc291cmNlIjoid3d3In0%3D&ccb=17-1&vs=6712e7739b2a8e04&_nc_vs=HBksFQIYOnBhc3N0aHJvdWdoX2V2ZXJzdG9yZS9HSUNXbUFDcXVnQnI3cnNkQUVjaGdIVUlSelpBYnY0R0FBQUYVAALIAQAVAhg6cGFzc3Rocm91Z2hfZXZlcnN0b3JlL0dQejlmaHZzdGpsTnlTZ0RBTUpzYUZwQVRUQnRidjRHQUFBRhUCAsgBACgAGAAbAogHdXNlX29pbAExEnByb2dyZXNzaXZlX3JlY2lwZQExFQAAJuLPrajr7OgBFQIoA0MzZSwXQJ_Td87ZFocYGWRhc2hfbGl2ZV9tZF9mcmFnXzJfdmlkZW8RAHUCAA&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AYEuJStxX0QCSzj-UDimfF_YUKDSL2JnzRsxHGqlOmWPnQ&oe=67DBE308",
        "thumbnailUrl": "https://scontent-atl3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/461312532_1733514994134084_3133899825757197059_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=50ce42&_nc_ohc=xKIMJ6frN9kQ7kNvgHK8vTF&_nc_oc=AdhRFzUKkuQ0qae1BFbvvmYGaJ_plQD4RFn3z0xxfoFtc-ds-cxZwEN7dSj0Y4SR3lWORs-Gf8qv5TZQnFqVK4GM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-3.xx&_nc_gid=1q0R8aSRmKitPpFFDxvSfQ&oh=00_AYGYyhxcf7jzJS-G8ptyiPCJP9Usw2jD7tGK7Xqrfnl3WA&oe=67DBCD47"
      },
      "topComments": [
        {
          "id": "Y29tbWVudDoxODY2NDI1MTg3NTAyMTY4XzM4NzQxNDAzNjI4MDUzNDA=",
          "text": "YO EVERYONE!!!! Drop your Q's and we will try to get to them when we can",
          "publishTime": 1727319870,
          "author": {
            "id": "100063669491743",
            "name": "Pace Morby",
            "gender": "NEUTER",
            "url": "https://www.facebook.com/pacemorby"
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "cursor": "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"
}

Verify Response Structure

Check that your response includes the expected fields:

  • ✓success(boolean)
  • ✓posts(object)
  • ✓cursor(string)

Best Practices

1

Error Handling

Implement comprehensive error handling and retry logic for failed requests. Log errors properly for debugging.

2

Caching

Cache responses when possible to reduce API calls and improve performance. Consider data freshness requirements.

3

Security

Never expose your API key in client-side code. Use environment variables and secure key management practices.

Performance Tips

Batch Requests

When scraping multiple posts, consider batching requests to maximize throughput while staying within rate limits.

Async Processing

Use asynchronous processing in Ruby to handle multiple requests concurrently and improve overall performance.

Common Use Cases

Market Research

Analyze Facebook posts to understand market trends, competitor analysis, and audience insights.

Content Analytics

Track performance metrics, engagement rates, and content trends across Facebook posts.

Lead Generation

Identify potential customers and business opportunities throughFacebook data analysis.

Troubleshooting

Common Errors

401 Unauthorized

Check your API key is correct and properly formatted in the x-api-key header.

402 Payment Required

You ran out of credits and need to buy more.

404 Not Found

The resource might not exist or be private.

500 Server Error

Temporary server issue. Implement retry logic with exponential backoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to scrape Facebook posts?

ScrapeCreators offers 100 free API calls to get started. After that, pricing starts at $10 for 5k requests with volume discounts available.

Is it legal to scrape Facebook data?

Scraping publicly available data is fair game, and we only collect public data. So anything that you can see in an incognito browser is what we collect.

How fast can I scrape Facebook posts?

There is no rate limit! So you can scrape as fast as you want!

What data format does the API return?

All API responses are returned in JSON format, making it easy to integrate with any programming language or application.

Can I use this with other Ruby frameworks?

Yes! This tutorial focuses on core Ruby HTTP concepts that work with any framework. The API calls remain the same regardless of your specific Ruby setup.

How do I handle large datasets?

For large datasets, implement pagination, use streaming responses where available, and consider storing data in a database for efficient querying.

Related Tutorials

All Tutorials

Browse all available scraping tutorials for different platforms and languages.

Free Tools

Try our free online tools to test scraping without writing any code.

Ready to Start Scraping?

Get started with 100 free API calls. No credit card required.

Start Scraping ⚡️ View Documentation