---
title: "Instagram Transcript API: Reels to Text · SocialToAI"
canonical: https://socialtoai.com/instagram-transcript-api/
updated: 2026-10-30
---

# Instagram transcript API

Turn a public Instagram reel or video post into text by its link or shortcode: everything said in it, as one text, for videos up to two minutes long. It is Instagram's detail call with `include=transcript`, 2 credits a video (≈ $0.004–$0.0067); failed calls are free. Call it over HTTP or let your AI call it over MCP.

- Page: https://socialtoai.com/instagram-transcript-api/
- Last updated: 2026-10-30

## What you get

One object per reel or video post, given by its link or by its shortcode (the part of the link after /p/ or /reel/). It holds what is said in the video as one text; there are no timed segments and no language code. Videos up to two minutes long are read.

| Field | Type | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `fields.text` | string | The full text. |

## The request

**cURL**

```
curl https://api.socialtoai.com/v1/detail \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SOCIALTOAI_API_KEY" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: $(uuidgen)" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "platform": "instagram",
    "id": "DeCPVhERA8e",
    "include": "transcript"
  }'
```

**Python**

```
import os
import uuid
import requests

response = requests.post(
    "https://api.socialtoai.com/v1/detail",
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['SOCIALTOAI_API_KEY']}",
        # A new key for each request; the same one again retries it without paying twice.
        "Idempotency-Key": str(uuid.uuid4()),
    },
    json={
        "platform": "instagram",
        "id": "DeCPVhERA8e",
        "include": "transcript",
    },
)
print(response.json())
```

**A recorded answer (names and text removed)**

```
{
  "request_id": "req_00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000001",
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "fetched_at": "2026-10-12T18:58:05.000Z",
  "action": "detail",
  "platform": "instagram",
  "status": "ok",
  "items": [
    {
      "platform": "instagram",
      "id": "…",
      "ref": "…",
      "approx": [],
      "type": "entry",
      "entry_type": "transcript",
      "title": null,
      "url": null,
      "rank": null,
      "heat": null,
      "fields": {
        "lang": null,
        "text": "…",
        "segments": null
      }
    }
  ],
  "unavailable": ["fields.lang", "fields.segments"],
  "warnings": [],
  "applied_params": {
    "id": "DeCPVhERA8e",
    "include": "transcript"
  },
  "cost_credits": 2,
  "billing": {
    "cost_credits": 2,
    "balance_credits": 98,
    "today_spend_credits": 2,
    "daily_limit_credits": null,
    "daily_remaining_credits": null,
    "display": "This call: 2 credits (≈ $0.0067). Balance: 98 credits (≈ $0.33)."
  },
  "replayed": false
}
```

## What Instagram's own API gives

Instagram's own API works through Business or Creator accounts; what each part of it offers, who can use it and its limits are below, each with its source.

| Official API | Who can use it | Cost | Limits | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Instagram Platform API | Apps working through Business or Creator accounts. | The overview states no price. | Reads the account's own data, basic metadata and media of other professional accounts; serving accounts you don't manage needs App Review and Business Verification. | [developers.facebook.com](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/overview), checked 2026-10-17 |
| Hashtag search | Apps approved in App Review for Instagram Public Content Access. | The page states no price. | At most 30 unique hashtags per account in a rolling 7 days; returns top or recent media for a hashtag. | [developers.facebook.com](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-api-with-facebook-login/hashtag-search), checked 2026-10-29 |

## In your AI client

Connect SocialToAI once over [MCP](https://socialtoai.com/mcp.md), then give your AI the link and ask for the text or a summary. It makes the call and reads what was said.

| Ask | Credits |
| --- | --- |
| Read this Instagram post: DeCPVhERA8e | 2 |

## What it costs

2 credits a video: $0.0067 at the first pack, so a thousand reels are $6.67. A failed call costs nothing; estimate a batch with the [cost estimator](https://socialtoai.com/free-tools/api-cost-estimator.md). 100 free credits on sign-up, no card.

## FAQ

### Can I turn any public Instagram reel into text?

Yes, by its link or shortcode, for reels and video posts up to two minutes long, 2 credits a video (≈ $0.004–$0.0067). A call that fails costs nothing.

### Do I need an Instagram account or a Business account?

No. You need one SocialToAI key, or sign-in from your AI client; no Instagram account of yours is used.

### Does it give timestamps?

No: it returns one text without timed segments. For YouTube videos the [YouTube transcript API](https://socialtoai.com/youtube-transcript-api.md) gives segments with start and end times.

### Can Claude or ChatGPT turn a reel into text?

Yes, once SocialToAI is connected over MCP: give it the link and ask for the text or a summary.

- [Instagram detail API](https://socialtoai.com/instagram-detail-api.md): The whole call, every parameter and field.
- [Instagram API](https://socialtoai.com/platforms/instagram.md): Every call on Instagram and its credits.
- [YouTube transcript API](https://socialtoai.com/youtube-transcript-api.md): The full transcript of any public YouTube video.
- [Instagram MCP server](https://socialtoai.com/mcp/instagram.md): Let your AI read Instagram.