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Generate qualified Instagram leads from hashtags with Apify and Google Sheets

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Generate qualified Instagram leads from hashtags with Apify and Google Sheets preview
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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

Instagram Hashtag Lead Generation Automate the process of finding and qualifying Instagram leads based on hashtags. This workflow reads hashtags from Google Sheets, scrapes Instagram for posts usin...

Best for

  • Lead Generation automation workflows
  • Multimodal AI automation workflows
  • advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

n8n-nodes-base.manualtrigger, n8n-nodes-base.code, n8n-nodes-base.httprequest, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.aggregate, n8n-nodes-base.removeduplicates, n8n-nodes-base.googlesheets, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Matthew.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Generate qualified Instagram leads from hashtags with Apify and Google Sheets
Workflow name
Generate qualified Instagram leads from hashtags with Apify and Google Sheets

Instagram Hashtag Lead Generation

Automate the process of finding and qualifying Instagram leads based on hashtags. This workflow reads hashtags from Google Sheets, scrapes Instagram for posts using Apify, analyzes caption content and language, compiles unique usernames, gathers detailed user info, and filters leads based on follower count.


How It Works

  1. Fetch Hashtags
    The workflow starts and pulls a list of hashtags from a Google Sheet.

  2. Scrape Instagram Posts For each hashtag, it builds Instagram explore URLs and scrapes posts using Apify.

  3. Analyze Captions Each caption is cleaned, hashtags and links are removed, and language/content is analyzed (English/French/Spanish).

  4. Extract & Filter Usernames Usernames are combined and deduplicated, their Instagram profiles scraped for follower counts and other details.

  5. Qualified Leads Only users with followers in your target range are kept as qualified leads for outreach or analysis.


Requirements

  • An n8n instance.
  • Apify API key.
  • Google account with a Sheet containing hashtags.
  • Apify Instagram Scraper actor access.
  • The Google Sheet should have a column with hashtags.

Setup Instructions

  1. Add Credentials
    In n8n, add your Apify API key and Google Sheets credentials.

  2. Configure Google Sheets Nodes
    Choose your credentials, spreadsheet, and sheet name in the “Get list of Hashtags” node.

  3. Configure Apify Request Nodes
    Enter your Apify API key and select the Instagram scraper actors.

  4. Adjust Filtering
    Edit the min/max follower count in the relevant filter node to match your needs.

  5. Test & Run
    Manually execute the workflow or add a trigger to run on a schedule.


Customization Options 💡

  • Trigger: Add a schedule or webhook to automate execution.
  • Language Filtering: Modify keyword lists or add language detection logic.
  • Lead Output: Extend the workflow to save leads to a CRM or send notifications.

Details

Nodes used in workflow:

  • Manual Trigger
  • Google Sheets
  • Code
  • HTTP Request (Apify)
  • IF (Conditional)
  • Aggregate
  • Remove Duplicates
  • Sticky Note

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - When clicking ‘Execute workflow’

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger - manualTrigger
Config choices
Version 1

Block 2 - make hashtag links

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 3 - Scrape instagram hashtag posts

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 4 - IF — Hashtags Only

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2

Block 5 - IF — English Only

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2

Block 6 - Aggregate Hashtags

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.aggregate - aggregate
Config choices
Version 1

Block 7 - Format captions, usernames and data

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.code - code
Config choices
Version 2

Block 8 - Combine all usernames

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.aggregate - aggregate
Config choices
Version 1

Block 9 - Remove Duplicate Usernames

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.removeDuplicates - removeDuplicates
Config choices
Version 2

Block 10 - Scrape instagram Profiles

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.httpRequest - httpRequest
Config choices
Version 4.2

Block 11 - If followers are in a certain range continue

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.if - if
Config choices
Version 2.2

Block 12 - Get list of Hashtags

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
Config choices
Version 4.6

Block 13 - Sticky Note

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 14 - Sticky Note1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 15 - Sticky Note2

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 16 - Sticky Note3

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

3. Summary Table

Workflow Generate qualified Instagram leads from hashtags with Apify and Google Sheets
Complexity advanced
Nodes 16
Categories Lead Generation, Multimodal AI
Author Matthew
Published 14 Aug 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/7373/7373.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Generate qualified Instagram leads from hashtags with Apify and Google Sheets do?

Instagram Hashtag Lead Generation Automate the process of finding and qualifying Instagram leads based on hashtags. This workflow reads hashtags from Google Sheets, scrapes Instagram for posts usin...

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Lead Generation, Multimodal AI use case.