Error when I scrape Instagram accounts. Adding `?__a=1` to the URL doesn't work anymore. Any clues?

Question

Until 2 days ago, I was able to scrape Instagram accounts by adding ?__a=1 at the end of the URL.

E.g.: https://www.instagram.com/xavi/?__a=1

Now, when I do the same thing I get this response:

for (;;);
{
  "__ar": 1,
  "error": 1357004,
  "errorSummary": "Sorry, something went wrong",
  "errorDescription": "Please try closing and re-opening your browser window.",
  "payload": null,
  "hsrp": {
    "hblp": {
      "consistency": {
        "rev": 1005632913
      }
    }
  },
  "lid": "7105412861952089317"
}

Maybe Instagram might have done some changes in their API.

Is there any clue on how to scrape user information? Or is there any workaround?

user_9475239 · Answer

You can use

?__a=1&__d=dis

At the end of your URL

E.g.: https://www.instagram.com/instagram/?__a=1&__d=1

user_19288417 · Answer

I tried different ways and did not get the right answer. For now, use this link to find the right way. I can further guide you to get more information about an ID

https://www.instagram.com/web/search/topsearch/?context=user&count=0&query=xavi

user_12676247 · Answer

If you are using cookie then just remove the ds_user_id field from cookie it will work fine

Error when I scrape Instagram accounts. Adding `?__a=1` to the URL doesn't work anymore. Any clues?

3 Answers