apify-trend-analysis

name	apify-trend-analysis
description	ALWAYS use this when the request matches Apify Trend Analysis: Discover and track emerging trends across Google Trends, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to inform content strategy.

Trend Analysis

Selective Reading Rule

Start with:

• references/senior-master-standard.md
• references/usage-routing.md
• references/quality-checklist.md

Then load only the inherited docs, scripts, assets, or examples that match the user's actual task.

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:

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):

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.