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: unknown 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 APIFYTOKEN=yourtoken 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.