n8n: Pull public Instagram profiles + posts with HTTP Request (no brittle scrapers)

Description and use

A new n8n workflow uses RapidAPI to fetch public Instagram profile data and recent posts, eliminating brittle scraper issues.

Problem

n8n Instagram flows often fail when Instaloader or cookies break, causing unreliable data collection.

Outcome

The new n8n workflow reliably pulls public Instagram profile data and recent posts without brittle scrapers, enabling scalable data collection for 50–200 accounts per week.

Workflow

• Fetch public profile and recent posts as JSON over HTTP using RapidAPI Instagram endpoints
• Transform JSON into canonical row (author, caption, timestamp, permalink, media URL) using Set / Item Lists nodes
• Map transformed fields to database or storage
• Keep OCR/LLM/storage as separate nodes

Evidence

If your n8n Instagram flows keep dying when Instaloader/cookies break, split the problem:

Source

Fetch public profile + recent posts as JSON over HTTP

Source

RapidAPI Instagram endpoints (profile, posts/Reels, comments, post detail)

Source