How to Scrape Facebook Reels with Kotlin

Extract reels data from Facebook

📱 Using Kotlin

Overview

Learn how to scrape Facebook reels using Kotlin. 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 reels 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:

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

Step 1: Install HTTP Client

OkHttp is an HTTP client for Kotlin/Java

gradle
implementation "com.squareup.okhttp3:okhttp:4.9.3"

Step 2: API Implementation

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

Kotlin
import java.net.http.HttpClient
import java.net.http.HttpRequest
import java.net.http.HttpResponse
import java.net.URI
import java.net.URLEncoder
import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets

class Scraper {
    companion object {
        private const val API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY"
        private const val BASE_URL = "https://api.scrapecreators.com"
        private const val ENDPOINT_PATH = "/v1/facebook/profile/reels"
        
        @JvmStatic
        fun main(args: Array<String>) {
            try {
                val result = scrape()
                println("Response: $result")
            } catch (e: Exception) {
                println("Error: ${e.message}")
            }
        }
        
        fun scrape(): String {
            val client = HttpClient.newHttpClient()
            
            // Build query parameters
            val params = mapOf(
                "url" to "https://www.facebook.com/pacemorby",
                "next_page_id" to "YXBwX2NvbGxlY3Rpb2......",
                "cursor" to "AQHSFZtzkBauSDHgy8y......"
            )
            
            val queryString = params.entries.joinToString("&") { (key, value) ->
                "${key}=${URLEncoder.encode(value, StandardCharsets.UTF_8)}"
            }
            
            val url = "${BASE_URL}${ENDPOINT_PATH}?${queryString}"
            
            val request = HttpRequest.newBuilder()
                .uri(URI.create(url))
                .header("x-api-key", API_KEY)
                .header("Accept", "application/json")
                .GET()
                .build()
            
            val response = client.send(request, HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.ofString())
            
            if (response.statusCode() == 200) {
                return response.body()
            } else {
                throw RuntimeException("HTTP ${response.statusCode()}: ${response.body()}")
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 3: Testing Your Code

API Parameters

This endpoint accepts the following parameters:

urlRequired(string)

Facebook page URL

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

next_page_idOptional(string)

To paginate through to the next page

Example: YXBwX2NvbGxlY3Rpb2......

cursorOptional(string)

To paginate through to the next page

Example: AQHSFZtzkBauSDHgy8y......

Run Your Code

Execute your script to test the API connection. You should see a JSON response with Facebook reels 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,
  "credits_remaining": 3393,
  "reels": [
    {
      "id": "UzpfSTEwMDA2NDAyNzI0Mjg0OTpWSzoxMTE0MjM1OTIwNjY0NDA4",
      "post_id": "1203161005161463",
      "creation_time": "2025-09-13T20:51:28.000Z",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/1114235920664408",
      "view_count": 900,
      "feedback_id": "ZmVlZGJhY2s6MTIwMzE2MTAwNTE2MTQ2Mw==",
      "description": "#globetheatreregina #GrandOpeningGlobeTheatre #yqrfood",
      "video_id": "1114235920664408",
      "thumbnail": "https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/548161090_781902490913426_4425148471361535737_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=b5ba86&_nc_ohc=OSOOGTqjWBUQ7kNvwEELU_j&_nc_oc=AdlV3gLGZQ7yP7WZ71P40YFpkKZzQKTsoOwpia78XWC-552nlv0PaCzqp4JEN_eM8nw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fsjc1-3.fna&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&oh=00_Afmww8iYxDtSamLiv7CnMMk5qN54iKlWRh3KGaQ9raX8sg&oe=6958CB0A",
      "play_time_in_ms": 22035,
      "video_url": "https://video.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m366/AQOiS3S8KcKF2LNoPO0zOfAI3fDrZ4uUOgoNDGn6c7r8ABcujOm_egeBIp1UGt2C3T7bjmweRUAe6zZv183Qj3dpOTyUglIVsXGSEDb37A.mp4?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AdlNlblWiTsxDyG87HyqrOExbMhSN5lMWCw0IbpBOlJvrHUyYOW84jgZapFBnh9ErN8&_nc_sid=8bf8fe&_nc_ht=video.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=o6c-GAEZqSAQ7kNvwEDTAM6&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzMuMzYwLnN2ZV9zZCIsInhwdl9hc3NldF9pZCI6MTE3MDg1MjU4ODIxOTYzMywiYXNzZXRfYWdlX2RheXMiOjEwNywidmlfdXNlY2FzZV9pZCI6MTAxMjAsImR1cmF0aW9uX3MiOjIyLCJ1cmxnZW5fc291cmNlIjoid3d3In0%3D&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AfnqnDcmg0X9m2W775vmpbH2-IrJvzz6gKDg-nHx1bUNwA&oe=6958DB58&bitrate=379965&tag=sve_sd",
      "music": {
        "id": "1491450028648565",
        "track_title": "The Copper Kettle Restaurant · Original audio"
      },
      "author": {
        "id": "100064027242849",
        "name": "The Copper Kettle Restaurant",
        "is_verified": false,
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/copperkettleyqr",
        "image": "https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-1/298528699_436705561807015_4191178501684731329_n.jpg?stp=cp0_dst-jpg_s40x40_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=2d3e12&_nc_ohc=GrqhlAtcX98Q7kNvwFcfQYJ&_nc_oc=AdkVhSbfC7VUfqrXTTBHm1mAzqonpy9gE0aRcOV9-ddVxPsL4Nm-fnzbu7pTwhxuCuQ&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent.fsjc1-3.fna&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&oh=00_Aflr4kBQgljqP3wqJypUlzhoGQVCx4OyyBZW28kx1UDabw&oe=6958E99C"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "UzpfSTEwMDA2NDAyNzI0Mjg0OTpWSzoxMzM0ODczOTA4MjU2Nzgz",
      "post_id": "1201508031993427",
      "creation_time": "2025-09-11T21:21:58.000Z",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/1334873908256783",
      "view_count": 576,
      "feedback_id": "ZmVlZGJhY2s6MTIwMTUwODAzMTk5MzQyNw==",
      "video_id": "1334873908256783",
      "thumbnail": "https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/545577573_1526393572051504_6624822632487689661_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=b5ba86&_nc_ohc=u0irauX9fhUQ7kNvwG1AX56&_nc_oc=AdkfJ3nQbAk4i0VxKXMU07hCnX3__pCp9aELNkECOkA1Jt3a22O3rFye13jVl4bTXUo&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fsjc1-3.fna&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&oh=00_AfklLOZnLEo6vB61DfUH7zQC8ad2mg15TYQ3oeacloEJCQ&oe=6958F3E8",
      "play_time_in_ms": 16192,
      "video_url": "https://video.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m366/AQOIf3b_2lwmNH0ux86fwOwQylIb3rPGoK_V5y7o96tAW-vmkssKj8oQ6NTAixJNdIq52fb0xwteK4uxSYTzziTzHKnGpi0I6GLA8CP9ig.mp4?_nc_cat=104&_nc_oc=Adm1wTNlSojXi2vHkATKJ8r-e_3zqb0C5weKGoJHycTXUG_vNbABV6UQcmxnPy8TW4c&_nc_sid=8bf8fe&_nc_ht=video.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=UTmdgjAoXTgQ7kNvwFUCY8I&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzMuMzYwLnN2ZV9zZCIsInhwdl9hc3NldF9pZCI6MTA0MDU3MDg4ODAxNzIxMywiYXNzZXRfYWdlX2RheXMiOjEwOSwidmlfdXNlY2FzZV9pZCI6MTAxMjAsImR1cmF0aW9uX3MiOjE2LCJ1cmxnZW5fc291cmNlIjoid3d3In0%3D&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AfnrvUgRtJBxE8by28ebU7eEVJU7H089nxT0KvP0iEwtzw&oe=6958C3DA&bitrate=743839&tag=sve_sd",
      "music": {
        "id": "1370343134704314",
        "track_title": "The Copper Kettle Restaurant · Original audio"
      },
      "author": {
        "id": "100064027242849",
        "name": "The Copper Kettle Restaurant",
        "is_verified": false,
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/copperkettleyqr",
        "image": "https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-1/298528699_436705561807015_4191178501684731329_n.jpg?stp=cp0_dst-jpg_s40x40_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=2d3e12&_nc_ohc=GrqhlAtcX98Q7kNvwFcfQYJ&_nc_oc=AdkVhSbfC7VUfqrXTTBHm1mAzqonpy9gE0aRcOV9-ddVxPsL4Nm-fnzbu7pTwhxuCuQ&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent.fsjc1-3.fna&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&oh=00_Aflr4kBQgljqP3wqJypUlzhoGQVCx4OyyBZW28kx1UDabw&oe=6958E99C"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "UzpfSTEwMDA2NDAyNzI0Mjg0OTpWSzoxMTU4OTM1MzAyODY3ODc0",
      "post_id": "1201500718660825",
      "creation_time": "2025-09-11T21:07:08.000Z",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/reel/1158935302867874",
      "view_count": 326,
      "feedback_id": "ZmVlZGJhY2s6MTIwMTUwMDcxODY2MDgyNQ==",
      "description": "Colliers Cup 2025 Semi final Casino Regina vs MNP great vibes for great cause - Cdn Mental Health Assoc 3rd year running!",
      "video_id": "1158935302867874",
      "thumbnail": "https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t15.5256-10/546107371_24533898936221206_3050564936251167933_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=b5ba86&_nc_ohc=5Dclq4Fi-HwQ7kNvwE1Kb2o&_nc_oc=AdnAh-kIIYpxAvJldrDyjik5HSZq_T2JmPRQ9vxqJJqHNa7TQamH2QNlT5YKUkgqDP0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fsjc1-3.fna&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&oh=00_AflkZ4g75Sm5NMvnmoWz36XzKw6UO0ZIargojhKS3fTo3Q&oe=6958D020",
      "play_time_in_ms": 42376,
      "video_url": "https://video.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m366/AQP5D5iRB9aucItkvlB05pJWrshvxg9BBPYKH9HbKFQ658Kt-_kUJkFwHmLRLzdF5OKf4H29Hsp7x_Ypb2eArEycBIJjoJyplYFXKoBPeQ.mp4?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AdkCyxKtEpQUovYLGQ5Unu_wc4zIua94ywKyfEhIVdz3dKvlC4wpxkvWsOSq63lumVU&_nc_sid=8bf8fe&_nc_ht=video.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net&_nc_ohc=xtHEL6UJChoQ7kNvwHSN4VB&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6Inhwdl9wcm9ncmVzc2l2ZS5GQUNFQk9PSy4uQzMuMzYwLnN2ZV9zZCIsInhwdl9hc3NldF9pZCI6ODAxNTY1MDEyMzI0NDE5LCJhc3NldF9hZ2VfZGF5cyI6MTA5LCJ2aV91c2VjYXNlX2lkIjoxMDEyMCwiZHVyYXRpb25fcyI6NDIsInVybGdlbl9zb3VyY2UiOiJ3d3cifQ%3D%3D&ccb=17-1&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&_nc_zt=28&oh=00_AfkoBV9g0y_caZUPPX_w2qduZ69ujbT7DbZ4o4DG9pt2sA&oe=6958EC2D&bitrate=745265&tag=sve_sd",
      "music": {
        "id": "1106073647808749",
        "track_title": "The Copper Kettle Restaurant · Original audio"
      },
      "author": {
        "id": "100064027242849",
        "name": "The Copper Kettle Restaurant",
        "is_verified": false,
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/copperkettleyqr",
        "image": "https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-1/298528699_436705561807015_4191178501684731329_n.jpg?stp=cp0_dst-jpg_s40x40_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=2d3e12&_nc_ohc=GrqhlAtcX98Q7kNvwFcfQYJ&_nc_oc=AdkVhSbfC7VUfqrXTTBHm1mAzqonpy9gE0aRcOV9-ddVxPsL4Nm-fnzbu7pTwhxuCuQ&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent.fsjc1-3.fna&_nc_gid=RAC9UOMHIFPQvFPA49SzFw&oh=00_Aflr4kBQgljqP3wqJypUlzhoGQVCx4OyyBZW28kx1UDabw&oe=6958E99C"
      }
    }
  ],
  "cursor": "AQHSiBn76EsmuU....",
  "next_page_id": "YXBwX2NvbGxlY...."
}

Verify Response Structure

Check that your response includes the expected fields:

  • ✓success(boolean)
  • ✓credits_remaining(number)
  • ✓reels(object)
  • ✓cursor(string)
  • ✓next_page_id(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 reels, consider batching requests to maximize throughput while staying within rate limits.

Async Processing

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

Common Use Cases

Market Research

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

Content Analytics

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

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 reels?

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 reels?

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 Kotlin frameworks?

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

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