Instagram Profile Research Tool

This workflow researches Instagram profiles via a webhook, scrapes data using Apify, logs to Google Sheets, and returns formatted results. Key nodes include Research Request (webhook trigger), Input Validation (checks inputs), Sanitize Input (cleans data), Username Validation (verifies username), Rate Limit Check (ensures limits), Get Profile Data (Apify API call), Profile Data Validation (checks data), Format Profile Data (processes results), Calculate Metrics (adds analytics), Save Research Data (logs to Sheets), Research Complete (returns response). It uses Apify and Google Sheets APIs. Setup Requirements Install n8n from n8n.io or sign up at cloud.n8n.io. Import the JSON into n8n’s workflow editor. Get an Apify API token at apify.com (Account > Integrations); configure httpBearerAuth credentials with the token. Create a Google Sheets spreadsheet, note its ID (URL: /spreadsheets/d/SPREADSHEET_ID/), and replace YOUR_RESEARCH_SPREADSHEET_ID in Save Research Data. Set GoogleSheetsOAuth2Api credentials via Google Cloud Console (APIs > Credentials > OAuth 2.0). Copy the webhook URL from Research Request (path: instagram-research) for external POST requests with username and research_purpose. Handle errors such as invalid usernames (400: INVALID_USERNAME) or Apify authentication failures (401: Unauthorized). Secure credentials and avoid public exposure. Testing and Deployment Import the JSON into n8n. Set Apify and Google Sheets credentials, and update the spreadsheet ID. Use Manual Test and Test Data nodes to simulate a POST request with username: cristiano and research_purpose: Market Research. Verify Get Profile Data retrieves profile details, Save Research Data appends to Sheets (check columns: Username, Followers, etc.), and Research Complete returns status: success with profile data. Test with an invalid username (400: INVALID_USERNAME) or a wrong spreadsheet ID (403: Forbidden). Monitor Apify rate limits (429: Too Many Requests). If scraping fails, check the Apify token and username validity. Share the webhook URL with authorized systems, activate the workflow, and deploy for automated Instagram profile research and logging.