Archive Insights
STEP 1
Download Your Data
The first step in preserving your content and generating insights is to properly request your data from social media platforms based on personal specifications for format and time.
Preservr removes the uncertainty from the data retrieval process with its bespoke workflow documentation and flowcharts, which help navigate users toward their download preferences and minimize confusion at each step.
Based on the social media platform you wish to retrieve data from, select the appropriate workflow document for comprehensive instructions on how to make and modify a data download request.
Alternatively, explore Preservr’s flowcharts for a clear visual breakdown of how to download data from various social media platforms. These diagrams simplify complex procedures, highlight key decision points, and help you choose the right path based on your needs and the platform’s available options.
STEP 2
Understand Your Archive
Data is complex, but archiving does not have to be. Beyond Preservr’s offerings, it is imperative to understand how these data packages are structured and what they contain to inform your personal preservation vision.
Currently, Preservr has developed materials to help you gain an understanding of what Instagram’s data packages contain. This feature will be rolled out to other social media platforms in the coming months.
Comments
your_instagram_activity ➡ comments
Followers and Following
connections ➡ followers_and_following
Likes and Messages
- your_instagram_activity ➡ likes
- your_instagram_activity ➡ messages ➡ inbox
Recommended Topics
preferences ➡ your_topics
Time Spent on Instagram
your_instagram_activity ➡ other_activity
Recommended Topics
preferences ➡ your_topics
To support this process, Preservr has also prepared a comprehensive directory document and flowchart. These resources outline the structure of each folder and file, explaining what information is stored where and how to locate it. By demystifying the archive’s layout, the directory helps you make informed decisions about your data in a way that aligns with your personal archiving goals.
STEP 3
Analyze Your Archive
Understanding what your archive says about you is just as important as preserving it. Learn how to navigate, interpret, and evaluate your archive with intention.
Preservr is proud to release its Instagram Insights Tool that allows users to visualize various dimensions of their archive in one GUI-based tool. Follow these steps to launch the tool locally after downloading.
1. Set up your Environment
- Make sure you have Python 3.x installed on your machine. If not, download it from python.org.
2. Locate and launch the script
- Download the scripts from this github repository.
- After locating the downloaded script in your local environment, launch the script using Python IDLE and run the file.
- This will open a windowed interface with the Instagram Insights Tool.
3. Upload Your Data Package
- In the tool’s interface, upload your Instagram data package by selecting the relevant folders.
4. View Your Visualizations
- Toggle visualizations using the button menu at the bottom of the interface to gain insight on what your archive says about you.
Download Preservr scripts today.
- Visualize your Instagram data
- Analyze your engagement demographic
- Regularly archive your social media information.
Preservr 2025