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Instagram Reels Thumbnail Scraper & Downloader - Advanced Frame Extraction & Analysis Tool

Enterprise-grade solution for extracting, downloading, and performing deep technical analysis on thumbnails from Instagram Reels, complete with comprehensive post metadata.

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Overview

The Instagram Reels Thumbnail Scraper & Downloader is a sophisticated automation tool designed for professionals who require high-fidelity thumbnail images from Instagram Reels alongside detailed engagement metrics and technical image data. This actor extracts multiple frames from provided Reel URLs, delivering direct download links, complete social metadata, and in-depth technical analysis of each image asset.

Core Capabilities

• Multi-frame thumbnail extraction capturing key moments from the Reel
• Comprehensive post metadata including likes, comments, description, and author info
• Deep technical image analysis with full FFprobe metadata output
• High-resolution image downloads with detailed format specifications
• Batch processing for multiple URLs in a single run

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Input Configuration

{
  "reel_urls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKiypWLMTX-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==",
      "method": "GET"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4zKaNdRT5Y/?next=%2F",
      "method": "GET"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOaggJ3jEgM/",
      "method": "GET"
    }
  ]
}

Input Specifications

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
reel_urls	Array	Yes	Array of Instagram Reel URL objects to process
url	String	Yes	Valid Instagram Reel URL. Supports various parameter formats.
method	String	Yes	HTTP method for the request (GET recommended)

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Output Structure

[
{
    "original_url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKiypWLMTX-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==",
    "author_username": "nba",
    "description": "TYRESE STRIKES!!.",
    "likes": "457.0K",
    "comments": "6.3K",
    "upload_date": "June 5, 2025",
    "duration": 12.133,
    "thumbnail_items_metadata": [
      {
        "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/tG4PFoeVXyWBmZc0x/records/thumb_0_930a08c8-3770-4a3c-aa5b-65a512d08d9d.jpg?token=apify_actor_run_api_3TmRZOOyOJJuuDZ1mhKEkVbgL0659v0dV38J",
        "index": 0,
        "metadata": {
          "streams": [
            {
              "index": 0,
              "codec_name": "mjpeg",
              "codec_long_name": "Motion JPEG",
              "profile": "Progressive",
              "codec_type": "video",
              "codec_tag_string": "[0][0][0][0]",
              "codec_tag": "0x0000",
              "width": 640,
              "height": 1136,
              "coded_width": 640,
              "coded_height": 1136,
              "closed_captions": 0,
              "film_grain": 0,
              "has_b_frames": 0,
              "sample_aspect_ratio": "1:1",
              "display_aspect_ratio": "40:71",
              "pix_fmt": "yuvj420p",
              "level": -99,
              "color_range": "pc",
              "color_space": "bt470bg",
              "chroma_location": "center",
              "refs": 1,
              "r_frame_rate": "25/1",
              "avg_frame_rate": "25/1",
              "time_base": "1/25",
              "start_pts": 0,
              "start_time": "0.000000",
              "duration_ts": 1,
              "duration": "0.040000",
              "bits_per_raw_sample": "8",
              "disposition": {
                "default": 0,
                "dub": 0,
                "original": 0,
                "comment": 0,
                "lyrics": 0,
                "karaoke": 0,
                "forced": 0,
                "hearing_impaired": 0,
                "visual_impaired": 0,
                "clean_effects": 0,
                "attached_pic": 0,
                "timed_thumbnails": 0,
                "captions": 0,
                "descriptions": 0,
                "metadata": 0,
                "dependent": 0,
                "still_image": 0
              }
            }
          ],
          "format": {
            "filename": "temp_05e28127-b0b1-4a2b-85fc-9bb6f54b650c.jpg",
            "nb_streams": 1,
            "nb_programs": 0,
            "format_name": "image2",
            "format_long_name": "image2 sequence",
            "start_time": "0.000000",
            "duration": "0.040000",
            "size": "69723",
            "bit_rate": "13944600",
            "probe_score": 50
          }
        }
      },
      {
        "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/tG4PFoeVXyWBmZc0x/records/thumb_0_930a08c8-3770-4a3c-aa5b-65a512d08d9d.jpg?token=apify_actor_run_api_3TmRZOOyOJJuuDZ1mhKEkVbgL0659v0dV38J",
        "index": 1,
        "metadata": {
          "streams": [
            {
              "index": 0,
              "codec_name": "mjpeg",
              "codec_long_name": "Motion JPEG",
              "profile": "Progressive",
              "codec_type": "video",
              "codec_tag_string": "[0][0][0][0]",
              "codec_tag": "0x0000",
              "width": 640,
              "height": 1136,
              "coded_width": 640,
              "coded_height": 1136,
              "closed_captions": 0,
              "film_grain": 0,
              "has_b_frames": 0,
              "sample_aspect_ratio": "1:1",
              "display_aspect_ratio": "40:71",
              "pix_fmt": "yuvj420p",
              "level": -99,
              "color_range": "pc",
              "color_space": "bt470bg",
              "chroma_location": "center",
              "refs": 1,
              "r_frame_rate": "25/1",
              "avg_frame_rate": "25/1",
              "time_base": "1/25",
              "start_pts": 0,
              "start_time": "0.000000",
              "duration_ts": 1,
              "duration": "0.040000",
              "bits_per_raw_sample": "8",
              "disposition": {
                "default": 0,
                "dub": 0,
                "original": 0,
                "comment": 0,
                "lyrics": 0,
                "karaoke": 0,
                "forced": 0,
                "hearing_impaired": 0,
                "visual_impaired": 0,
                "clean_effects": 0,
                "attached_pic": 0,
                "timed_thumbnails": 0,
                "captions": 0,
                "descriptions": 0,
                "metadata": 0,
                "dependent": 0,
                "still_image": 0
              }
            }
          ],
          "format": {
            "filename": "temp_05e28127-b0b1-4a2b-85fc-9bb6f54b650c.jpg",
            "nb_streams": 1,
            "nb_programs": 0,
            "format_name": "image2",
            "format_long_name": "image2 sequence",
            "start_time": "0.000000",
            "duration": "0.040000",
            "size": "69723",
            "bit_rate": "13944600",
            "probe_score": 50
          }
        }
      },
      {
        "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/tG4PFoeVXyWBmZc0x/records/thumb_0_930a08c8-3770-4a3c-aa5b-65a512d08d9d.jpg?token=apify_actor_run_api_3TmRZOOyOJJuuDZ1mhKEkVbgL0659v0dV38J",
        "index": 2,
        "metadata": {
          "streams": [
            {
              "index": 0,
              "codec_name": "mjpeg",
              "codec_long_name": "Motion JPEG",
              "profile": "Progressive",
              "codec_type": "video",
              "codec_tag_string": "[0][0][0][0]",
              "codec_tag": "0x0000",
              "width": 640,
              "height": 1136,
              "coded_width": 640,
              "coded_height": 1136,
              "closed_captions": 0,
              "film_grain": 0,
              "has_b_frames": 0,
              "sample_aspect_ratio": "1:1",
              "display_aspect_ratio": "40:71",
              "pix_fmt": "yuvj420p",
              "level": -99,
              "color_range": "pc",
              "color_space": "bt470bg",
              "chroma_location": "center",
              "refs": 1,
              "r_frame_rate": "25/1",
              "avg_frame_rate": "25/1",
              "time_base": "1/25",
              "start_pts": 0,
              "start_time": "0.000000",
              "duration_ts": 1,
              "duration": "0.040000",
              "bits_per_raw_sample": "8",
              "disposition": {
                "default": 0,
                "dub": 0,
                "original": 0,
                "comment": 0,
                "lyrics": 0,
                "karaoke": 0,
                "forced": 0,
                "hearing_impaired": 0,
                "visual_impaired": 0,
                "clean_effects": 0,
                "attached_pic": 0,
                "timed_thumbnails": 0,
                "captions": 0,
                "descriptions": 0,
                "metadata": 0,
                "dependent": 0,
                "still_image": 0
              }
            }
          ],
          "format": {
            "filename": "temp_05e28127-b0b1-4a2b-85fc-9bb6f54b650c.jpg",
            "nb_streams": 1,
            "nb_programs": 0,
            "format_name": "image2",
            "format_long_name": "image2 sequence",
            "start_time": "0.000000",
            "duration": "0.040000",
            "size": "69723",
            "bit_rate": "13944600",
            "probe_score": 50
          }
        }
      }
    ]
  }
]

Output Field Documentation

Post Metadata Section

Field	Description
original_url	The exact URL that was processed
author_username	Instagram handle of the content creator
description	Full caption/description text of the Reel
likes	Formatted count of likes (e.g., "456.0K", "8.9M")
comments	Formatted count of comments
upload_date	Human-readable publication date
duration	Total duration of the Reel in seconds (decimal precision)

Thumbnail Assets & Analysis The thumbnail_items_metadata array contains multiple frame captures from throughout the Reel.

Field	Description
url	Direct download URL for the thumbnail image (hosted on Apify)
index	Sequential index of the thumbnail (0, 1, 2...)
metadata	In-depth technical analysis of the image file via FFprobe

Technical Metadata (metadata object)

Field	Description
streams	Array containing technical details of the image stream
format	Object containing container format information

Key Technical Data Extracted (from streams and format):

• codec_name: Image codec (e.g., mjpeg - Motion JPEG)
• width & height: Pixel dimensions of the extracted thumbnail (e.g., 640x1136)
• pix_fmt: Pixel format (e.g., yuvj420p)
• size: File size in bytes
• bit_rate: Data bit rate
• color_space: Color space information (e.g., bt470bg)
• display_aspect_ratio: Calculated aspect ratio
• probe_score: Confidence score of the format detection

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Technical Features

Advanced Frame Extraction

• Multiple frame capture from different timestamps within each Reel
• High-resolution preservation maintaining original image quality
• Automatic format detection ensuring compatibility
• Sequential indexing for easy reference and sorting

Comprehensive Metadata Harvesting

• Social engagement metrics (likes, comments) for performance analysis
• Creator attribution with accurate username handling
• Temporal data including precise upload dates
• Content context with full description text extraction

Deep Technical Analysis

• FFprobe integration for professional-grade media analysis
• Codec and format specification for technical workflows
• Pixel-level data including dimensions, color space, and aspect ratio
• File integrity information including size and bit rate

Reliability & Performance

• Batch processing support for high-volume operations
• Robust error handling for problematic URLs
• Direct download links for reliable asset access
• Normalized output format for easy integration

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Enterprise Applications

Social Media Monitoring & Analytics

• Track visual trends and content performance through thumbnails
• Analyze engagement metrics (likes/comments) alongside visual content
• Conduct competitive analysis based on thumbnail strategies

Content Analysis & Research

• Academic research on visual social media trends
• Image analysis for machine learning and AI training datasets
• Study composition and aesthetic patterns in viral content

Media & Publishing Agencies

• Quickly source visual assets for news articles and social posts
• Generate previews and cover images for content aggregation platforms
• Archive visual content for compliance and rights management

Development & Integration

• Build custom dashboards that display post performance and thumbnails
• Integrate visual content into third-party applications and workflows
• Develop automated content moderation systems using image analysis