How To Build An Instagram Bot Using Python And InstaPy

Introduction

Building an Instagram bot using Python and InstaPy can be a great way to automate tasks on the platform, saving you time and effort. InstaPy is a popular tool for Instagram automation, offering a powerful framework to interact with Instagram programmatically.

So, what is InstaPy? InstaPy is a Python library that lets you automate actions on Instagram, such as liking posts, following users, and leaving comments. It provides an easy-to-use interface for creating scripts that mimic human behavior, helping you grow your Instagram account naturally.

In this guide, we’ll take you step-by-step through setting up and using an Instagram bot with InstaPy. We’ll cover everything from installing the required tools to customizing your bot’s actions. By the end, you’ll know how to use InstaPy effectively and responsibly to manage your Instagram activities and reach your goals more efficiently.

Why Use an Instagram Bot?

Instagram is a powerful platform for businesses, influencers, and content creators. However, growing your following and maintaining an active presence can be time-consuming. Herein lies the value of automation. By automating tasks such as liking posts, following users, and commenting, you can save time and energy while still engaging with your audience effectively.

Prerequisites

Before entering into setting up your Instagram bot with InstaPy, there are a few prerequisites you need to have in place:

Python

First and foremost, ensure that Python is installed on your system. You can download and install Python from the official Python website (https://www.python.org/). Make sure to install a version compatible with InstaPy.

InstaPy

Install InstaPy using pip, which is Python’s package installer. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

pip install instapy
    

WebDriver

InstaPy requires a web driver to interact with Instagram. A web driver acts as a bridge between InstaPy’s Python code and the web browser. Typically, ChromeDriver is used as the web driver for InstaPy. You’ll need to download the appropriate ChromeDriver version for your operating system from the official ChromeDriver website (https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/chromedriver/downloads) and ensure it is installed on your system.

Once downloaded, make sure to add the ChromeDriver executable to your system’s PATH so that InstaPy can locate and use it.

Additionally, ensure that your web browser (such as Google Chrome) is installed and up-to-date, as InstaPy will utilize this browser through the ChromeDriver for its automation tasks.

By fulfilling these prerequisites, you’ll have the necessary foundation to proceed with setting up and using your Instagram bot with InstaPy effectively.

Step 1: Install InstaPy

To start your journey with InstaPy, you’ll first need to install it on your system. Follow these simple steps:

Open your Terminal or Command Prompt

Launch your terminal or command prompt application on your computer. This is where you’ll input commands to install InstaPy.

Run the Installation Command

Type the following command

pip install instapy
    

This command tells pip, Python’s package installer, to download and install InstaPy along with its dependencies. Pip will handle the installation process automatically, fetching the necessary files from the Python Package Index (PyPI).

Verify Installation

Once the installation is finished, you can verify that InstaPy was installed correctly by checking its version. Simply type the following command and press Enter:

instapy --version
    

If InstaPy is installed correctly, you should see its version number displayed in the terminal or command prompt window.

By following these steps, you’ll have successfully installed InstaPy on your system. Now, you’re ready to move on to the next steps and configure your bot to start automating tasks on Instagram.

Step 2: Download WebDriver

As I said earlier, You must Download the ChromeDriver from here and place it in a directory that is included in your system’s PATH, or specify the path to the driver in your script.

Step 3: Create the Bot Script

Here’s a more advanced version of the InstaPy Instagram bot script, offering extra features like engaging with users’ followers, targeting specific users, managing quotas, watching stories, and more. Let’s break down the script step-by-step to understand how our Instagram bot works.

Import InstaPy and Smart Run

The code starts by importing the InstaPy class from the instapy module, as well as the smart_run function from the instapy.util module. This prepares the environment to utilize InstaPy for Instagram automation.

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy.util import smart_run
    

Define Login Credentials

Next, the script defines the Instagram username and password. You need to replace 'your_username' and 'your_password' with your actual Instagram credentials.

username = 'your_username'
password = 'your_password'
    

Create InstaPy Session

The code initializes an instance of the InstaPy class using the given username, password, and the headless_browser=True parameter. By setting headless_browser to True, the automation process operates without displaying the browser window, allowing it to run safely in the background.

session = InstaPy(username=username, password=password, headless_browser=True)
    

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Use Smart Run Context Manager

The “with smart_run(session):” statement indicates the beginning of a context-managed block where InstaPy executes its actions. This context manager handles the session in a smart way, ensuring proper setup, execution, and cleanup.

with smart_run(session):
    

Set General Settings

The function “set_relationship_bounds” establishes parameters for relationships with other users such as follower and following counts.

Similarly, “set_skip_users” specifies conditions to avoid certain types of users, such as private accounts or those without profile pictures.

session.set_relationship_bounds(enabled=True,
                                    delimit_by_numbers=True,
                                    max_followers=7500,
                                    min_followers=50,
                                    min_following=50,
                                    potency_ratio=-1.2,
                                    max_posts=1000)
    session.set_skip_users(skip_private=True,
                           skip_no_profile_pic=True,
                           skip_business=True,
                           skip_business_categories=['Creators & Celebrities', 'Food & Personal Goods'])
    

Set Activity Settings

“set_user_interact” Configures interaction settings with other users, like commenting or following.

Meanwhile, “like_by_tags” and “like_by_locations” sets up procedures for liking posts associated with particular hashtags or locations.

session.set_user_interact(amount=5, randomize=True, percentage=50, media='Photo')
    session.like_by_tags(['nature', 'travel', 'photography', 'tech', 'fitness'], amount=20, interact=True)
    session.like_by_locations(['213385402', '224442573'], amount=20)  # Example location IDs
    

Perform Specific User Interactions

“interact_user_followers” and “interact_user_likers” engage with followers or individuals who have liked posts from specific users.

session.interact_user_followers(['natgeo', 'nasa'], amount=10, randomize=True)
    session.interact_user_likers(['natgeo', 'nasa'], photos_grab_amount=3, follow_likers_per_photo=2, randomize=True)
        

Advanced Comment Settings

Adjusts settings related to posting comments on content.

session.set_do_comment(enabled=True, percentage=30)
    session.set_comments(['Nice shot!', 'Love this!', 'Amazing!', 'Beautiful picture!', 'Incredible!'])
    

Follow Based on Activity

Defines conditions for following users based on their activity, such as liking posts from specific users.

session.set_do_follow(enabled=True, percentage=50, times=1)
    session.follow_likers(['natgeo', 'nasa'], photos_grab_amount=5, follow_likers_per_photo=3, randomize=True, sleep_delay=600)
    

Unfollow Users

You can sets up unfollowing conditions for non-followers or all followed accounts.

 session.unfollow_users(amount=50, nonFollowers=True, style="RANDOM", unfollow_after=24*60*60, sleep_delay=600)
    session.unfollow_users(amount=50, allFollowing=True, style="FIFO", unfollow_after=72*60*60, sleep_delay=600)
    

Story Watching

Configures actions related to watching stories.

session.story_by_tags(['nature', 'travel'], amount=5)
    session.story_by_users(['natgeo', 'nasa'], amount=3)
    

Direct Messages

Sets up settings for sending direct messages to specific users.

session.set_do_reply_to_dms(enabled=True, percentage=50)
    session.set_do_send_dms(enabled=True)
    session.send_message(['user1', 'user2'], 'Hey! Check out our latest posts and let us know what you think!')
    

Engagement Settings

Configures settings related to engagement with other users’ posts.

session.set_dont_unfollow_active_users(enabled=True, posts=5)
    session.set_mandatory_language(enabled=True, character_set=['LATIN'])
    

Quota Supervisor

Sets limits and rules for the frequency of actions to avoid exceeding Instagram’s usage limits.

session.set_quota_supervisor(enabled=True,
                                 sleep_after=["likes", "comments_d", "follows", "unfollows", "server_calls_h"],
                                 sleepyhead=True,
                                 stochastic_flow=True,
                                 notify_me=True,
                                 peak_likes_hourly=40,
                                 peak_likes_daily=400,
                                 peak_comments_hourly=20,
                                 peak_comments_daily=200,
                                 peak_follows_hourly=30,
                                 peak_follows_daily=300,
                                 peak_unfollows_hourly=30,
                                 peak_unfollows_daily=300,
                                 peak_server_calls_hourly=200,
                                 peak_server_calls_daily=2000)

    

Specific User Blacklist

Specifies a blacklist of users to avoid interacting with.

 session.set_blacklist(enabled=True, campaign='general')
    

Advanced Settings

Configures additional delays and randomization for actions.

session.set_action_delays(enabled=True, like=5, comment=10, follow=5, unfollow=8, story=3, randomize=True, random_range_from=70, random_range_to=140)
    

Restrict Activity

Further restricts activity based on user profiles.

session.set_skip_users(skip_private=True, skip_no_profile_pic=True, skip_business=True)

    # End Session
    # Terminates the InstaPy session.
    session.end()
    

This integration provides a detailed explanation of each step in the code, making it easier to understand what each part does and how it contributes to the overall functionality of the Instagram bot.

Running Your Bot

After you’ve written your automation script, you can run it using Python.

python your_script.py

    

Your bot will then start interacting with Instagram according to the actions you specified in your script. You can run your bot on a schedule using cron jobs or a similar task scheduler to automate the process even further.

Security Note

Keep Credentials Safe: Avoid embedding your credentials directly within the script. Instead, Consider using environment variables or a configuration file to store sensitive information.

Advanced Configuration

InstaPy offers many more features and configurations. Refer to the InstaPy documentation for more advanced usage and customization.

By following these steps, you can set up a basic Instagram bot that likes, comments, follows, and unfollows users based on your specified criteria. Always use automation tools responsibly to avoid violating Instagram’s terms of service.

Conclusion

Building an Instagram bot using Python and InstaPy is a powerful way to automate repetitive tasks and grow your Instagram account organically. With InstaPy’s simple interface and powerful features, you can create complex automation scripts that mimic human behavior and engage with your audience effectively. So why spend hours manually managing your Instagram account when you can let a bot do it for you? Give InstaPy a try and watch your Instagram presence!.

Source Code for Instagram bot

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy.util import smart_run

# Login credentials
username = 'your_username'
password = 'your_password'

# Create an InstaPy session
session = InstaPy(username=username, password=password, headless_browser=True)

with smart_run(session):
    # General settings
    session.set_relationship_bounds(enabled=True,
                                    delimit_by_numbers=True,
                                    max_followers=7500,
                                    min_followers=50,
                                    min_following=50,
                                    potency_ratio=-1.2,
                                    max_posts=1000)
    session.set_skip_users(skip_private=True,
                           skip_no_profile_pic=True,
                           skip_business=True,
                           skip_business_categories=['Creators & Celebrities', 'Food & Personal Goods'])

    # Activity settings
    session.set_user_interact(amount=5, randomize=True, percentage=50, media='Photo')
    
    # Liking based on tags
    session.like_by_tags(['nature', 'travel', 'photography', 'tech', 'fitness'], amount=20, interact=True)

    # Liking based on location
    session.like_by_locations(['213385402', '224442573'], amount=20)  # Example location IDs

    # Specific user interactions
    session.interact_user_followers(['natgeo', 'nasa'], amount=10, randomize=True)
    session.interact_user_likers(['natgeo', 'nasa'], photos_grab_amount=3, follow_likers_per_photo=2, randomize=True)
    
    # Advanced comment settings
    session.set_do_comment(enabled=True, percentage=30)
    session.set_comments(['Nice shot!', 'Love this!', 'Amazing!', 'Beautiful picture!', 'Incredible!'])

    # Follow based on activity
    session.set_do_follow(enabled=True, percentage=50, times=1)
    session.follow_likers(['natgeo', 'nasa'], photos_grab_amount=5, follow_likers_per_photo=3, randomize=True, sleep_delay=600)

    # Unfollow users
    session.unfollow_users(amount=50, nonFollowers=True, style="RANDOM", unfollow_after=24*60*60, sleep_delay=600)
    session.unfollow_users(amount=50, allFollowing=True, style="FIFO", unfollow_after=72*60*60, sleep_delay=600)

    # Story watching
    session.story_by_tags(['nature', 'travel'], amount=5)
    session.story_by_users(['natgeo', 'nasa'], amount=3)

    # Direct messages
    session.set_do_reply_to_dms(enabled=True, percentage=50)
    session.set_do_send_dms(enabled=True)
    session.send_message(['user1', 'user2'], 'Hey! Check out our latest posts and let us know what you think!')

    # Engagement settings
    session.set_dont_unfollow_active_users(enabled=True, posts=5)
    session.set_mandatory_language(enabled=True, character_set=['LATIN'])

    # Quota supervisor
    session.set_quota_supervisor(enabled=True,
                                 sleep_after=["likes", "comments_d", "follows", "unfollows", "server_calls_h"],
                                 sleepyhead=True,
                                 stochastic_flow=True,
                                 notify_me=True,
                                 peak_likes_hourly=40,
                                 peak_likes_daily=400,
                                 peak_comments_hourly=20,
                                 peak_comments_daily=200,
                                 peak_follows_hourly=30,
                                 peak_follows_daily=300,
                                 peak_unfollows_hourly=30,
                                 peak_unfollows_daily=300,
                                 peak_server_calls_hourly=200,
                                 peak_server_calls_daily=2000)

    # Specific user blacklist
    session.set_blacklist(enabled=True, campaign='general')

    # Advanced settings
    session.set_action_delays(enabled=True, like=5, comment=10, follow=5, unfollow=8, story=3, randomize=True, random_range_from=70, random_range_to=140)

    # Restrict activity
    session.set_skip_users(skip_private=True, skip_no_profile_pic=True, skip_business=True)

    # End session
    session.end()

    

External Resources

External Resources for Building an Instagram Bot Using Python and InstaPy:

1. InstaPy Documentation: The official documentation for InstaPy is a comprehensive resource that provides detailed information about installation, usage, and advanced features. You can find it here.
2. InstaPy GitHub Repository: The GitHub repository for InstaPy contains the source code, issue tracker, and discussions related to the project. You can explore it here.
3. InstaPy Wiki: The InstaPy Wiki on GitHub offers additional guides, tips, and troubleshooting advice for using InstaPy effectively. You can access it here.
4. Python.org: The official website for the Python programming language is a valuable resource for learning Python syntax, best practices, and libraries. You can find tutorials, documentation, and community forums here.
5. Online Forums and Communities: Websites like Reddit, Discord, and specialized forums dedicated to Python and Instagram automation are excellent places to connect with like-minded individuals, ask questions, and share your experiences.

By leveraging these external resources, you can enhance your understanding of Python programming, InstaPy, and Instagram automation, enabling you to build more sophisticated and effective bots for growing your Instagram presence.

Frequently Asked Questions