These FAQs provide guidance on accessing and using Meta Content Library. SOMAR is actively updating this page as needed. In the meantime, please email somar-help@umich.edu if you have any questions not answered on this page.
There are two methods of accessing Meta Content Library: a web-based user interface (UI) and an API.
Content Library UI
Meta Content Library has a web-based user interface in which to explore data, test out search parameters, and assess whether the resulting data is appropriate for your planned research. No knowledge of query or programming languages is needed.
Content Library API
Content Library API is a complementary API product that allows researchers to programmatically pull data from the same public content library. This API is accessed within SOMAR’s secure Virtual Data Enclave. Researchers will use SOMAR's secure environment to query and analyze data from the API.
Yes, Meta Content Library is free to access. There are no fees associated with access or computation.
It's important to note that while Meta Content Library offers valuable data resources, it is not a direct replacement for CrowdTangle. More information will be added to this FAQ section as soon as possible; please stay tuned.
Users from for-profit or commercial organizations are NOT eligible to apply.
Anyone affiliated with non-academic organizations (e.g., nonprofits, fact-checking organizations, civil societies, etc.) that are not commercial or for-profit entities is eligible. SOMAR and partners continue to update the language in the application form and associated documentation as needed to help clarify this.
The application can be accessed through this form on SOMAR's InfoReady application portal.
Yes. You only need one application to apply for both the User Interface and the API. The application form lets applicants choose to apply for one or both methods of access.
The application form is the same for both methods of access, however, Meta Content Library API requires researchers to have IRB or ethics board approval or exemption, and requires a Restricted Data Use Agreement (RDUA) signed by the researchers’ institution. An IRB determination and RDUA are requirements of accessing any data in SOMAR’s Virtual Data Enclave.
Meta Content Library User Interface does not require IRB determination or the RDUA signed by a researchers’ institution. If you choose the dataset “Meta Content Library UI” only at the top of your application, the IRB and RDUA requirements will disappear from the application form.
For Meta Content Library, PhD status or terminal degrees, such as MD, JD, or EdD, are not required for applicants to obtain the role of the Lead Researcher. However, in the case of obtaining access to Meta Content Library API, researchers’ institutions may require applicants without terminal degrees to have a sponsor with a PhD to sign Restricted Data Use Agreements as the Principal Investigator.
No, programming or coding experience is not required. MCL UI is designed for researchers to search and view data without writing any code. Coding experience is recommended for using MCL API, to be able to query the API and analyze the data that is returned. SOMAR's Virtual Data Enclave environment where the API is accessed currently supports Python, R and Stata (Stata upon request).
If the Lead Researcher’s institutional signatory cannot accept responsibility for collaborators from different institutions, each collaborator from a different institution must obtain a separate data use agreement to be filled out and signed for each institution that will have representatives on the project. Each agreement should be signed by the collaborator from their institution and an administrator or executive staff with institutional signatory.
All public data available in Meta Content Library (view-only)
Data includes the following publicly accessible content:
Downloadable public data (from widely-known individuals and organizations)
Data includes the following publicly accessible content:
To be included in the downloadable public dataset, profiles must not be locked and must be set to public with a verified badge or 25,000 or more followers. A verified badge in this context refers to accounts confirmed as authentic and not those with a paid Meta Verified subscription.
All public data available in Meta Content Library (view-only)
Data includes the following publicly accessible content:
Downloadable public data (from widely-known individuals and organizations)
Data includes the following publicly accessible content:
Public Instagram accounts include professional accounts for businesses and creators. They also include a subset of personal accounts that meet qualification criteria, including account privacy set to public and either a verified badge or 25,000 or more followers. A verified badge in this context refers to accounts confirmed as authentic and not those with a paid Meta Verified subscription.
Meta Content Library UI users can download data from widely-known individuals and organizations. See above for which data are included in the downloadable dataset.
Meta Content Library API users may export aggregate data and supporting materials such as charts, figures, or graphs following ICPSR’s disclosure risk review process.
Any Meta Content Library API output you would like released from the SOMAR VDE for publication, teaching, or other needs must be self-vetted for disclosure risk and then reviewed by SOMAR or ICPSR staff for approval. Requests for syntax, output, notes, or similar work file releases can be processed. Raw data files, data extracts, and codebooks will NOT be released. Output is limited to results needed for presentations and papers. After completing the onboarding steps for VDE access, approved Meta Content Library API data users will receive instructions on submitting requests for output or file reviews.
Researchers approved for access to Meta Content Library API in the VDE are strongly encouraged to contact SOMAR via somar-help@umich.edu to inquire about data uploads into the VDE. Tentatively, requests to upload data or code from other sources in the VDE may be approved if they successfully pass a disclosure risk review done by SOMAR or ICPSR staff.
Lead Researcher
The Lead Researcher must either close out their project and data use agreement or reassign someone else on their team as the new Lead Researcher. Please notify SOMAR via somar-help@umich.edu at least six weeks before the last day of employment with the institution to obtain the appropriate next steps.
Collaborator
The Lead Researcher needs to notify SOMAR via somar-help@umich.edu as soon as reasonably possible about a collaborator's institution changes. SOMAR can help with recommendations for the next steps or removal of collaborators as needed.
If a Lead Researcher is no longer using the data, please notify SOMAR via somar-help@umich.edu for project closeout steps.
If a collaborator is no longer using the data, please notify SOMAR via somar-help@umich.edu so SOMAR staff can update the records and complete the required technical protocols to reflect the change.