How to Use Instamancer: Your Guide to Scraping Instagram with Puppeteer

May 28, 2023 | Data Science

Instamancer is an innovative tool that allows you to scrape Instagram data through its API via Puppeteer, a powerful browser automation library. But how do you navigate this tool to get the data you need? Let’s delve into the steps to get started!

1. Installation

To begin your journey with Instamancer, you’ll first need to install it. Follow these steps:

  • Enable user namespace cloning with the command:
    sysctl -w kernel.unprivileged_userns_clone=1
  • If you prefer to skip downloading Chromium, set the environment variable:
    export PUPPETEER_SKIP_CHROMIUM_DOWNLOAD=true
  • Perform the installation using NPM:
    npm install -g instamancer

2. Usage

Once installed, you can start using Instamancer via the command line. Here’s how:

The commands available are:

  • instamancer hashtag [id] – Scrape a hashtag
  • instamancer user [id] – Scrape a user’s posts
  • instamancer post [ids] – Scrape specific posts by IDs
  • instamancer search [query] – Search for users, hashtags, or locations
  • instamancer batch [batchfile] – Read arguments from a file

3. Understanding the Code through Analogy

Consider Instamancer like a highly skilled chef in a bustling kitchen. Each command is a different recipe that the chef can follow. The ingredients (the data) come from various sources like the pantry (API) and the fridge (user posts). Just as the chef must gather the right tools (like NPM and Puppeteer), you must also prepare your environment to ensure the recipes turn out delicious (i.e., successful data scraping).

In the same way that a chef might choose to create a meal from scratch or use pre-prepared ingredients, you can decide whether to scrape specific pieces (like user posts or hashtags) or batch process large quantities at once.

4. Troubleshooting

Encountering issues while using Instamancer? Here are some troubleshooting ideas:

  • Issue: Cannot access certain data points?
    Solution: Ensure that you are logged in to access hashtag and account endpoints.
  • Issue: Instamancer does not work as intended?
    Solution: Refer to the pinned issue for community support.
  • Issue: Puppeteer fails to run?
    Solution: Check for issues related to the sandbox and follow the instructions on troubleshooting Puppeteer.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

5. Conclusion

With Instamancer, you can actively scrape Instagram data while using the efficient Puppeteer library. Experiment with the different commands to enhance your data gathering strategies!

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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