How to Scrape Instagram Reels with Ruby
Extract reels data from Instagram
Overview
Learn how to scrape Instagram reels 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 Instagram
- • Handling responses and errors
What You'll Get
- • Access to reels data
- • JSON formatted responses
- • Real-time data access
- • Scalable solution
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
Implementation
1. Install HTTP Client
HTTParty is a Ruby library that makes HTTP requests easy
gem install httparty2. Make API Request
Now let's make a request to the Instagram API using Ruby. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key.
Best Practices
Always handle rate limits gracefully. The API allows up to 100 requests per minute for free accounts.
Implement error handling and retry logic for failed requests.
Cache responses when possible to reduce API calls and improve performance.
Use webhooks for real-time updates instead of polling when possible.
Troubleshooting
Common Errors
401 Unauthorized
Check your API key is correct and properly formatted in the Authorization header.
429 Too Many Requests
You've hit the rate limit. Wait a moment before making more requests.
404 Not Found
Check the handle parameter - the profile might not exist or be private.
Need Help?
Join our Discord community or check the documentation for more examples and support.
Ready to Start Scraping?
Get started with 100 free API calls. No credit card required.