Discover and analyze influencers across multiple platforms using Apify Actors.
Prerequisites
(No need to check it upfront)
-
.envfile withAPIFY_TOKEN -
Node.js 20.6+ (for native
--env-filesupport) -
mcpcCLI tool (for fetching Actor schemas)
Workflow
Copy this checklist and track progress:
Task Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Determine discovery source (select Actor)
- [ ] Step 2: Fetch Actor schema via mcpc
- [ ] Step 3: Ask user preferences (format, filename)
- [ ] Step 4: Run the discovery script
- [ ] Step 5: Summarize results
Step 1: Determine Discovery Source
Select the appropriate Actor based on user needs:
| Influencer profiles
| apify/instagram-profile-scraper
| Profile metrics, bio, follower counts
| Find by hashtag
| apify/instagram-hashtag-scraper
| Discover influencers using specific hashtags
| Reel engagement
| apify/instagram-reel-scraper
| Analyze reel performance and engagement
| Discovery by niche
| apify/instagram-search-scraper
| Search for influencers by keyword/niche
| Brand mentions
| apify/instagram-tagged-scraper
| Track who tags brands/products
| Comprehensive data
| apify/instagram-scraper
| Full profile, posts, comments analysis
| API-based discovery
| apify/instagram-api-scraper
| Fast API-based data extraction
| Engagement analysis
| apify/export-instagram-comments-posts
| Export comments for sentiment analysis
| Facebook content
| apify/facebook-posts-scraper
| Analyze Facebook post performance
| Micro-influencers
| apify/facebook-groups-scraper
| Find influencers in niche groups
| Influential pages
| apify/facebook-search-scraper
| Search for influential pages
| YouTube creators
| streamers/youtube-channel-scraper
| Channel metrics and subscriber data
| TikTok influencers
| clockworks/tiktok-scraper
| Comprehensive TikTok data extraction
| TikTok (free)
| clockworks/free-tiktok-scraper
| Free TikTok data extractor
| Live streamers
| clockworks/tiktok-live-scraper
| Discover live streaming influencers
Step 2: Fetch Actor Schema
Fetch the Actor's input schema and details dynamically using mcpc:
export $(grep APIFY_TOKEN .env | xargs) && mcpc --json mcp.apify.com --header "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" tools-call fetch-actor-details actor:="ACTOR_ID" | jq -r ".content"
Replace ACTOR_ID with the selected Actor (e.g., apify/instagram-profile-scraper).
This returns:
-
Actor description and README
-
Required and optional input parameters
-
Output fields (if available)
Step 3: Ask User Preferences
Before running, ask:
- Output format:
Quick answer - Display top few results in chat (no file saved)
-
CSV - Full export with all fields
-
JSON - Full export in JSON format
-
Number of results: Based on character of use case
Step 4: Run the Script
Quick answer (display in chat, no file):
node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
--actor "ACTOR_ID" \
--input 'JSON_INPUT'
CSV:
node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
--actor "ACTOR_ID" \
--input 'JSON_INPUT' \
--output YYYY-MM-DD_OUTPUT_FILE.csv \
--format csv
JSON:
node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
--actor "ACTOR_ID" \
--input 'JSON_INPUT' \
--output YYYY-MM-DD_OUTPUT_FILE.json \
--format json
Step 5: Summarize Results
After completion, report:
-
Number of influencers found
-
File location and name
-
Key metrics available (followers, engagement rate, etc.)
-
Suggested next steps (filtering, outreach, deeper analysis)
Error Handling
APIFY_TOKEN not found - Ask user to create .env with APIFY_TOKEN=your_token
mcpc not found - Ask user to install npm install -g @apify/mcpc
Actor not found - Check Actor ID spelling
Run FAILED - Ask user to check Apify console link in error output
Timeout - Reduce input size or increase --timeout