Apify Market Research

---
name: apify-market-research
description: Analyze market conditions, geographic opportunities, pricing, consumer behavior, and product validation across Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, Booking.com, and TripAdvisor.
risk: critical
source: community
---

# Market Research

Conduct market research using Apify Actors to extract data from multiple platforms.

## When to Use
- You need market sizing, regional demand, pricing, trend, or consumer behavior data.
- The task is to gather research inputs from maps, travel, Facebook, Instagram, or trend sources with Apify.
- You need structured market data plus a synthesized view of opportunities or risks.

## 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 market research 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 Market Research Type

Select the appropriate Actor based on research needs:

| User Need | Actor ID | Best For |
|-----------|----------|----------|
| Market density | `compass/crawler-google-places` | Location analysis |
| Geospatial analysis | `compass/google-maps-extractor` | Business mapping |
| Regional interest | `apify/google-trends-scraper` | Trend data |
| Pricing and demand | `apify/facebook-marketplace-scraper` | Market pricing |
| Event market | `apify/facebook-events-scraper` | Event analysis |
| Consumer needs | `apify/facebook-groups-scraper` | Group research |
| Market landscape | `apify/facebook-pages-scraper` | Business pages |
| Business density | `apify/facebook-page-contact-information` | Contact data |
| Cultural insights | `apify/facebook-photos-scraper` | Visual research |
| Niche targeting | `apify/instagram-hashtag-scraper` | Hashtag research |
| Hashtag stats | `apify/instagram-hashtag-stats` | Market sizing |
| Market activity | `apify/instagram-reel-scraper` | Activity analysis |
| Market intelligence | `apify/instagram-scraper` | Full data |
| Product launch research | `apify/instagram-api-scraper` | API access |
| Hospitality market | `voyager/booking-scraper` | Hotel data |
| Tourism insights | `maxcopell/tripadvisor-reviews` | Review analysis |

### Step 2: Fetch Actor Schema

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

```bash
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., `compass/crawler-google-places`).

This returns:
- Actor description and README
- Required and optional input parameters
- Output fields (if available)

### Step 3: Ask User Preferences

Before running, ask:
1. **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
2. **Number of results**: Based on character of use case

### Step 4: Run the Script

**Quick answer (display in chat, no file):**
```bash
node --env-file=.env ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/scripts/run_actor.js \
  --actor "ACTOR_ID" \
  --input 'JSON_INPUT'
```

**CSV:**
```bash
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:**
```bash
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 market insights
- Suggested next steps (deeper analysis, validation)

## 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`

## 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.