Source guide
Use Instagram video URLs with the Fast Transcriber API
Transcribe public Instagram Reels and single-video posts through the shared source_url workflow.
Build Instagram-to-text without a separate result model
Reels and supported public video posts enter the same asynchronous pipeline as every other source, allowing one job table and one transcript schema across your integration.
Public Reels
Use instagram.com/reel/{shortcode} or /reels/ links.
Video posts
A public /p/{shortcode} works when the post contains one video.
Legacy IGTV
Public /tv/{shortcode} media can be submitted while available.
Shared output
Results match the standard transcription job schema.
From request to transcript
A predictable sequence you can reuse in server applications, automations, and internal tools.
- 01
Submit one public URL
Send the media URL as source_url with a server-side bearer key.
- 02
Store the job location
Read the job ID and Location header from the 202 Accepted response.
- 03
Retrieve the result
Poll with bounded backoff until the status is completed or failed.
Make the request
Examples use the production API origin and an environment variable for the secret key.
curl --include --request POST https://fast-transcriber.com/api/v1/transcriptions \
--header "Authorization: Bearer $FAST_TRANSCRIBER_API_TOKEN" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data '{
"source_url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Example123/",
"speaker_diarization": false
}'Requirements and boundaries
- The Reel or video post must open without an Instagram sign-in.
- Image-only and carousel posts without one resolvable video have no supported speech source.
- Stories and other temporary or login-gated media are not advertised as supported.
- Handle a later failed job when Instagram access controls prevent media resolution.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit an Instagram profile?+
No. Submit the URL for one public Reel or supported video post.
Are private Reels supported?+
No. Public-link workers cannot use your Instagram login session.
What should I do when a permitted source is private?+
Retrieve the media through an authorized workflow and use the direct-upload API.