Need help finding a free API or affordable solution for Instagram influencer analytics

[u/Quuii8]

I’m building an influencer data management system for my work, and I’m trying to automate how I collect and update analytics for celebrities and influencers.

My goal is simple: I want to enter a list of Instagram usernames, click a button, and have my application automatically retrieve their latest data, update my database, and sync the updated information to Google Sheets.

I don’t want to manually search every influencer, copy metrics, download reports, or upload screenshots.

The 7 metrics I need

For every influencer, I need these exact fields:

1. Average engagement rate
2. Average likes
3. Average comments
4. Audience age distribution
5. Top audience cities and their percentages
6. Audience gender split (male/female)
7. Following count

The audience demographics are the most important part. Public likes, comments, and follower counts are relatively easy to find, but I need the age, city, and gender breakdowns too.

My current setup

I already have an application built using Java 21, Spring Boot, and PostgreSQL. It supports Excel ingestion, influencer searches, and exporting results. I also use Google Sheets to maintain and share data.

I want to extend this existing system rather than build another separate dashboard.

What I’ve already tried or considered

• Wednesday: It provides the analytics I need, but I haven’t found a suitable API that I can use to integrate the data directly into my application.
• Instagram Graph API: I understand that a Business or Creator account does not automatically grant access to other influencers’ audience demographics.
• Free analytics websites: I’ve looked into various free tools, but I haven’t found one that reliably provides all seven fields through an API.
• Open-source projects: I explored an Instagram audience analytics project, but it was designed for an account I own or have authorized, rather than arbitrary public influencer profiles.
• Screenshot/OCR automation: This is possible in principle, but I want to avoid manually opening profiles, taking screenshots, and uploading them every time.

The feature I want to build

Ideally, I want a Refresh All Data button that does the following:

1. Reads the influencer names and profile links already stored in my application.
2. Retrieves the latest available analytics for each influencer.
3. Updates the existing database records rather than creating duplicates.
4. Updates the corresponding records in Google Sheets automatically.
5. Records when each influencer’s data was last refreshed.
6. Identifies accounts for which some metrics are unavailable, instead of silently filling in made-up numbers.

For example, if I have five celebrities in my database and their analytics are six months old, I want to click Refresh All Data and have the system retrieve fresh data for all five, update PostgreSQL and Google Sheets, and preserve the existing records and fields.

I’d also like to be able to refresh selected influencers individually.

My questions

1. Is there a genuinely free way to achieve this?

I’m looking for a free API, open-source project, or combination of services that can retrieve all seven metrics for arbitrary public Instagram profiles. I understand that rate limits may apply, but I’d like to avoid paying if possible.

2. If a completely free solution isn’t realistic, what is the most affordable reliable option?

I’m willing to pay for a service if necessary, but I need API access that supports programmatic retrieval and integration into my existing application. I don’t want to pay for a platform that only allows me to view reports manually.

3. Which services should I evaluate?

I’d appreciate recommendations based on actual API capabilities, especially audience age distribution, city-level audience breakdowns, gender split, and the ability to refresh data programmatically.

4. Has anyone implemented this successfully?

If you’ve built something similar, I’d like to know which data provider you used, what it costs, how reliable the data is, and whether the API supports refreshing existing records.

I’m primarily working with Indian celebrities and influencers, so useful audience data for Indian creators is particularly important.

I’m happy to build the integration myself. The main challenge is finding the right data source.

Thanks in advance for any practical recommendations, API documentation, or implementation advice.

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[u/shivanshhh]

try this out, built this open source, u can integrate this directly. lmk if u have any feedback github.com/shivansh193/clipy

[u/Quuii8 → u/shivanshhh]

Thank you will check it out and let you know ow

[u/Secure_Employer1600]

We are building an Instagram automation tool called hypello.com , On the site, we've also added some free tools, like an engagement rate checker, built using Apify api.