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.

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.

The request

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"  }'

import osimport uuidimport requestsresponse = 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())

{  "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.

In your AI client

Connect SocialToAI once over MCP, then give your AI the link and ask for the text or a summary. It makes the call and reads what was said.

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. 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 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.

Last updated: 2026-10-30