Apify Trend Analysis

Trend Analysis

Discover and track emerging trends using Apify Actors to extract data from multiple platforms.

Prerequisites

(No need to check it upfront)

• .env file with APIFY_TOKEN
• Node.js 20.6+ (for native --env-file support)
• mcpc CLI tool: npm install -g @apify/mcpc

Workflow

Copy this checklist and track progress:

Task Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Identify trend type (select Actor)
- [ ] Step 2: Fetch Actor schema via mcpc
- [ ] Step 3: Ask user preferences (format, filename)
- [ ] Step 4: Run the analysis script
- [ ] Step 5: Summarize findings

Step 1: Identify Trend Type

Select the appropriate Actor based on research needs:

| User Need | Actor ID | Best For |

|-----------|----------|----------|

| Search trends | apify/google-trends-scraper | Google Trends data |

| Hashtag tracking | apify/instagram-hashtag-scraper | Hashtag content |

| Hashtag metrics | apify/instagram-hashtag-stats | Performance stats |

| Visual trends | apify/instagram-post-scraper | Post analysis |

| Trending discovery | apify/instagram-search-scraper | Search trends |

| Comprehensive tracking | apify/instagram-scraper | Full data |

| API-based trends | apify/instagram-api-scraper | API access |

| Engagement trends | apify/export-instagram-comments-posts | Comment tracking |

| Product trends | apify/facebook-marketplace-scraper | Marketplace data |

| Visual analysis | apify/facebook-photos-scraper | Photo trends |

| Community trends | apify/facebook-groups-scraper | Group monitoring |

| YouTube Shorts | streamers/youtube-shorts-scraper | Short-form trends |

| YouTube hashtags | streamers/youtube-video-scraper-by-hashtag | Hashtag videos |

| TikTok hashtags | clockworks/tiktok-hashtag-scraper | Hashtag content |

| Trending sounds | clockworks/tiktok-sound-scraper | Audio trends |

| TikTok ads | clockworks/tiktok-ads-scraper | Ad trends |

| Discover page | clockworks/tiktok-discover-scraper | Discover trends |

| Explore trends | clockworks/tiktok-explore-scraper | Explore content |

| Trending content | clockworks/tiktok-trends-scraper | Viral content |

Step 2: Fetch Actor Schema

Fetch the Actor's input schema and details dynamically using mcpc:

export $(grep APIFY_TOKEN .env | xargs) && mcpc --json mcp.apify.com --header "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN" tools-call fetch-actor-details actor:="ACTOR_ID" | jq -r ".content"

Replace ACTOR_ID with the selected Actor (e.g., apify/google-trends-scraper).

This returns:

• Actor description and README
• Required and optional input parameters
• Output fields (if available)

Step 3: Ask User Preferences

Before running, ask:

• Output format:
• Quick answer - Display top few results in chat (no file saved)
• CSV - Full export with all fields
• JSON - Full export in JSON format
• Number of results: Based on character of use case

Step 4: Run the Script

Quick answer (display in chat, no file):

node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
  --actor "ACTOR_ID" \
  --input 'JSON_INPUT'

CSV:

node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
  --actor "ACTOR_ID" \
  --input 'JSON_INPUT' \
  --output YYYY-MM-DD_OUTPUT_FILE.csv \
  --format csv

JSON:

node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
  --actor "ACTOR_ID" \
  --input 'JSON_INPUT' \
  --output YYYY-MM-DD_OUTPUT_FILE.json \
  --format json

Step 5: Summarize Findings

After completion, report:

• Number of results found
• File location and name
• Key trend insights
• Suggested next steps (deeper analysis, content opportunities)

Error Handling

APIFY_TOKEN not found - Ask user to create .env with APIFY_TOKEN=your_token

mcpc not found - Ask user to install npm install -g @apify/mcpc

Actor not found - Check Actor ID spelling

Run FAILED - Ask user to check Apify console link in error output

Timeout - Reduce input size or increase --timeout

When to Use

Use this skill when tackling tasks related to its primary domain or functionality as described above.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.