How to Scrape and Capture Social Media with Batch

 

Overview

Page Vault now offers three powerful methods to collect and preserve social media content. This guide outlines how to use:

1. Metadata-Only Scrape

2. Scrape and Capture

3. Bulk URL Capture

Each method is designed for different workflows, depending on the volume of content and whether you need full captures or just metadata.

You can start the captures directly from the Page Vault Portal under Batch > Social Media, or from within the Page Vault Browser by navigating to the Facebook profile, clicking Expand, and then selecting Batch under Capture Type. When using Batch in the Portal, you’ll first choose a platform (Facebook or Instagram) from the drop-down menu.

 

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1. Metadata-Only Scrape

Platforms: Facebook only (public profiles)

Overview:
Collect metadata from up to 20,000 Facebook posts without capturing the actual post content.

Best For:

• Large Facebook profiles (up to 20,000 posts)

• Pre-analysis before choosing which posts to capture

• Exporting data for reports or analytics

Captured Metadata Includes:

• Post URLs

• Post date

• Number of likes, comments, and shares

• Caption text

Steps to Use:

1. Go to Batch > Social Media in the Page Vault Portal.

2. Select Metadata-Only Scrape.

3. Enter the Facebook profile URL.

4. Edit or accept the default Job Name.

5. (Optional) Add a Case Matter ID.

6. (Optional) Select a Date Range

7. Click Start Scrape.

Details:

• No login or Facebook credentials required

• Runs in the background

• Duration: A few minutes to 1–2 hours, depending on profile size

• You can leave and return later

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2. Scrape and Capture

Platforms: Facebook only (public profiles)

Overview:
Scrape metadata and automatically capture up to 250 posts from a Facebook profile.

Best For:

• Small to medium-sized profiles

• Preserving entire profiles without manually selecting posts

• Capturing a specific timeframe

Steps to Use:

1. Go to Batch > Social Media and choose Scrape and Capture.

2. Enter the Facebook profile URL.

3. (Optional) Select a Date Range

4. Install the Page Vault browser extension (if not already installed).

5. Log in to Facebook in Chrome.

6. Authenticate using one of two methods:

   Browser Auth (recommended):

   • Use the browser extension

   • Sign in to Facebook

   • Click Authenticate and Allow

   Enter Cookies Manually:

   • Sign in to the platform using the Page Vault Browser 

   • Click Gear Icon > Copy Cookies

   • Paste cookies into the authentication field in the Portal

7. Click Start Scrape and Capture

What Happens Next:

• Up to 250 posts are scraped and captured automatically

• A live capture table displays:

  • Post URL

  • Date

  • Likes, comments, shares

  • Caption text

• Captures appear in the right-hand panel (tile or table view)

• You can view, download, or export metadata to CSV

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3. Bulk URL Capture

Platforms: Now available for both Facebook and Instagram

Overview:
Already have post URLs? Capture them all at once—up to 250 at a time.

Best For:

• Selectively capturing posts identified in a metadata scrape

• Uploading a curated list of post URLs for capture

Steps to Use:

1. Go to Batch > Social Media and select Bulk URL Capture.

2. Paste your list of Facebook post URLs (maximum: 250).

3. Enter a Job Name.

4. Authenticate using one of two methods:

   Browser Auth (recommended):

   • Install the Page Vault Browser Extension

   • Sign into Facebook in Chrome or Edge

   • Click Authenticate and Allow

   Enter Cookies Manually:

   • Sign in to the platform using the Page Vault Browser 

   • Click Gear Icon > Copy Cookies

   • Paste cookies into the authentication field in the Portal

5. Click Start Capture

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Watch a Quick Demo Here: