How to Use the Instagram Story Auto Watcher

Before you start

To use this Phantom, you’ll need:

• An Instagram account connected to PhantomBuster. The easiest way is with our PhantomBuster browser extension. Install it in just two clicks for Chrome or Firefox.
• Decide how you want the Phantom to watch stories: from your feed or from a list of Instagram profile URLs.
• Awareness of usage best practices:
  • Watching too many stories at once can put your account at risk.
  • We recommend a maximum of 50 profiles per launch.

Step 1: Connect your Instagram account

To let the Phantom act on your behalf:

1. Install the PhantomBuster browser extension and connect your Instagram session in one click.
2. If you’re not using Chrome or Firefox, you can retrieve your session cookie manually (see our cookie guide).

Step 2: Choose how to watch stories

By default, the Phantom will watch stories directly from your Instagram feed, in the order they appear at the top.

If you want to watch stories from specific profiles instead, tick the option Use Instagram profile URLs to watch specific stories instead of watching directly from your feed and complete the setup with one of the following:

1. Paste a single Instagram profile URL.
2. Provide a Google Sheet with a list of Instagram profile URLs (make sure it’s shared with “Anyone with the link”).
3. Upload a CSV file with a list of Instagram profile URLs (make sure it’s publicly accessible, and note that CSV upload is only available on paid plans).

→ If you’re using a spreadsheet, the Phantom defaults to the first column (A). To use a different column, enter the column’s header name in the field “Name of column containing profile URLs.”

Step 3: Configure story-watching behavior

1. Number of profiles to watch stories from per launch (optional):
   • Default = 10, recommended to keep your account safe.
   • Maximum = 50.
   • If left empty, the Phantom will process 10 profiles per launch.
2. Delay before skipping to next story, in seconds (optional):
   • Default = 2.
   • If left empty, the Phantom will watch the full duration of the story.

Result file settings (dropdown in setup)

1. Name your results file (optional)

   • You can customize the file name.

     If you rename the file between launches, the Phantom will create a new results file and start processing inputs from scratch.

2. Fields to keep (optional)
   • Export only the fields you care about by listing them (comma-separated).
     Example: profileUrl, storyUrl, photoUrl.
   • This generates a second CSV file with just those fields.
   • Learn more in our guide: Customize how your Phantom results files are saved.

Step 4: Select launch frequency

Choose how often the Phantom should run:

1. Launch manually: Start the Phantom yourself whenever you need.
2. Launch once at a specific time: schedule a one-time run at a set date and time.
3. Launch repeatedly: schedule regular runs (e.g. once per day, several times during working hours).
4. Launch after another Phantom: chain automations together so this Phantom starts right after another finishes.
5. Advanced scheduling: customize the exact minutes, hours, days, or months when the Phantom should run.

→ For a complete walkthrough of scheduling options, see our guide to scheduling Phantoms automatically.

Step 5 (Optional): Advanced settings

Advanced settings are available if you want to fine-tune how your Phantom runs, but by default they’re already optimized for most use cases.

We recommend leaving them as they are unless a guide specifically instructs you to change something.

→ For a detailed overview of all advanced options (like execution limits, retries, email notifications, proxies, webhooks, and file management), see our Advanced settings guide.

Launch and results

When you’re ready:

1. Click Launch to start your Phantom.
2. Once it finishes, open the Results tab in the Phantom console to see the data collected.
3. Download your results as a CSV or JSON file.

→ To learn how to export your data to Google Sheets, integrate with other tools, or reuse it in more automations, check our Access and Export your Phantom Results guide.

Export and input limits on the Free plan
If you’re on the Free plan or Free trial, some features are limited:
- CSV exports include only the first 10 rows of results.
- CSV download links (for dynamic viewing in Google Sheets or integrations) are not available.
- JSON exports are not available.
- CSV upload as an input method is not supported.
To unlock all features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

What you give (Input) and What you get (Output)

This section gives you a detailed breakdown of everything you need to provide to run this Phantom, and everything you’ll receive once it completes.

What you give (Input)

What you get (Output)

Tips and troubleshooting

Common pitfalls

• Using a private spreadsheet (make sure it’s set to “Anyone with the link”).
• Instagram enforces strict automation limits: Don’t set the Phantom to process more than 50 profiles per launch, and always space launches during daytime hours to mimic natural behavior.

If you run into errors or account issues

• Check how to troubleshoot your phantom using Logs.
• Browse the Fix Issues & Troubleshoot Errors section for solutions to common problems.
• Review our Automation Rate Limits by Platform guide.
• Check our Best Practices for Social Media Automation guide.

Suggested automations

• Instagram Profile Scraper → collect emails, bios, and follower counts of people whose stories you’ve watched.
• Instagram Auto Follow → follow those profiles automatically to build engagement.
• Instagram Auto Commenter → leave comments on their posts for stronger visibility.