Influencer Discovery
Discover and analyze influencers across multiple platforms using Apify Actors.
Prerequisites
(No need to check it upfront)
-
.env file with APIFY_TOKEN
-
Node.js 20.6+ (for native --env-file support)
-
mcpc CLI tool: npm install -g @apify/mcpc
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:
User Need Actor ID Best For
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