Watcher Mode makes supported PhantomBuster Phantoms collect only new results on each launch, skipping anything already captured in previous runs. Enable it to automatically monitor a target, like a LinkedIn group, search, or Instagram hashtag, and get only fresh leads each time. Not all Phantoms support Watcher Mode; those that don't still pick up where they left off but won't re-scan your target for new additions.
What Watcher Mode does
Watcher Mode is designed to help you collect only new results when a Phantom runs repeatedly.
When Watcher Mode is enabled:
- The Phantom re-launches regularly (based on your schedule).
- It checks for new people or posts added to your target (like a LinkedIn group or Instagram hashtag).
- It only saves new results, anything already captured in past launches is skipped.
Think of it like a radar: each time it scans, it captures new signals without repeating old ones.
Example:
You want to monitor new members in a LinkedIn group.
Watcher Mode will check that group daily and only save new members, skipping anyone already captured in earlier runs.
For some Phantoms, Watcher Mode is automatically enabled by default when your input contains only one profile URL or search link. In these cases, the Phantom quietly activates Watcher Mode behavior: it checks your target regularly and only captures new results, even if you don't see Watcher Mode listed as an option in the interface. This invisible mode helps streamline setup for simple recurring tasks.
Do all Phantoms support Watcher Mode
No. Only certain Phantoms include this feature.
If a Phantom does not support Watcher Mode, It will still process your full input, but it doesn't repeat entries it already handled in previous runs. Instead, it picks up where it left off, processing new lines from your input file in batches.
That means:
- It won't reprocess the same profile or post unless you've reset the input or changed settings.
- It does not automatically scan your target again to find new additions (like new group members or new posts).
- To detect newly added data on a page or search, Watcher Mode is required.
You can use a deduplication setting (if available), or clean your results manually after export.
→ Learn more in our guide: How to avoid and remove duplicates from your Phantom results.
How Watcher Mode behaves
Watcher Mode works differently depending on the Phantom. There are two modes, and PhantomBuster handles this automatically based on the Phantom's structure, you don't need to choose.
- All inputs at once (e.g. LinkedIn Activity Extractor, LinkedIn Post Likers Export, LinkedIn Post Commenters Export): The Phantom re-scans every input in your list on each launch and captures only new results across all of them.
- One input at a time (e.g. LinkedIn Search Export, Sales Navigator Search Export, Sales Navigator List Export): Watcher Mode only works with a single search URL as input, not a spreadsheet containing multiple URLs. It re-runs that same search on each launch and returns only new results since the last run. If you want to monitor multiple searches, you'll need a separate Phantom for each one.
Keep in mind that Phantoms processing one input at a time may take longer to complete large lists.
You can check which mode applies to your Phantom in the list below.
Best practices for using Watcher Mode
- If your target (like a LinkedIn post or group) changes frequently: for example, a viral post receiving hundreds of new likes or comments daily, running your Phantom daily can make sense.
- If your target changes more slowly: for example, regular posts with gradual engagement or small groups, running the Phantom once or twice a week is usually enough.
- For ongoing lead collection or outreach prep, running it two or three times per week strikes a good balance between keeping your data fresh and conserving execution time.
- Avoid combining Watcher Mode with very large data files unless you've tested how the Phantom processes them.
- Periodically check your results file to confirm new entries are being added over time.
Running Watcher Mode too often doesn't improve accuracy, it consumes more execution time. Adjust your schedule based on how dynamic your target is.
Phantoms that support Watcher Mode
Here's the list of Phantoms where Watcher Mode is available, along with how they behave:
- LinkedIn Auto Liker (all)
- LinkedIn Event Guests Export (one at a time)
- LinkedIn Group Members Export (all)
- LinkedIn Post Commenters Export (all)
- LinkedIn Post Likers Export (all)
- LinkedIn Post Commenters to Emails (all)
- LinkedIn Search Export (one at a time)
- Instagram Follower Collector (one at a time)
- Instagram Profile Post Extractor (all)
- Instagram Tagged Post Extractor (all)
Sales Navigator
- Sales Navigator Search Export (one at a time)
- Sales Navigator Account Employees Export (one at a time)
- Sales Navigator List Export (one at a time)
Twitter/X
- Twitter Auto Retweeter (all)
- Twitter Follower Collector (one at a time)
- Twitter Following Collector (one at a time)
- Twitter Tweet Likers Export (all)
GitHub
- GitHub Contributors Export (all)
Frequently asked questions
What is Watcher Mode in PhantomBuster?
Watcher Mode makes a Phantom re-scan your target (like a LinkedIn group or search) on each launch and only save new results, skipping profiles or posts already captured in previous runs.
Do all Phantoms support Watcher Mode?
No. Only certain Phantoms support it. Phantoms without Watcher Mode still pick up where they left off in your input file, but they won't re-scan the target for new additions.
Do I need to turn on Watcher Mode manually?
For some Phantoms, yes. For others, Watcher Mode activates automatically when your input contains only one URL or search link, even if you don't see the option in the interface.
How often should I run a Phantom in Watcher Mode?
It depends on how fast your target changes. For viral posts or fast-growing groups, run daily. For slower targets, once or twice a week is enough. Running too often consumes execution time without improving accuracy.