Scraping Twitter profiles can feel like a moving target. Maybe you want to build a lead list, research competitors, or just automate some tedious data collection. Whatever the reason, doing this manually is a slog. Tools like Texau promise to make the process easier—even if you’re not a coder. But there are some pitfalls, and it’s not as “push-button” simple as the marketing says.
This guide walks you through scraping Twitter profiles with Texau, step by step. I’ll cover what actually works, where you’ll likely hit friction, and how to avoid getting your Twitter account in hot water.
What You Can (and Can’t) Get from Twitter Scraping
Before we dive in, let’s set expectations. Twitter has gotten more aggressive about blocking bots and automation. The days of scraping unlimited data are over. Texau gets you most public profile info—username, bio, location, follower counts, and so on—but anything behind a login or marked private is off-limits.
What you can usually scrape: - Display name - Username / handle - Bio - Location (if set) - Website link - Follower/following counts - Tweets count - Profile image URL
What you can’t reliably scrape: - Email addresses (unless in bio, which is rare) - Private accounts or hidden info - DMs or anything not public
Pro tip: If you’re after emails, Texau won’t magically produce them. There are separate email-finding tools for that, with mixed results.
Step 1: Get Your Texau Account Set Up
First, you’ll need a Texau account. They have a free trial, but serious scraping means you’ll probably outgrow it fast.
How to get started: 1. Go to Texau and sign up. 2. Log in to the dashboard. 3. Pick a plan if you need more runs or credits.
Things to know: - Texau works via “recipes” (automations), which you can chain together. - You’ll need credits for every run—each profile scraped costs something. - Don’t expect unlimited, no-strings-attached scraping. There are rate limits.
Step 2: Connect Your Twitter Account (Carefully)
To scrape Twitter, Texau needs to act as if it’s you. That means connecting your Twitter account.
How to connect: 1. Go to “Connections” in Texau. 2. Find Twitter and click “Add Connection.” 3. You’ll get instructions to use a Chrome extension to pull your Twitter “session cookie.”
Here’s the honest part:
- You’re sharing access with Texau. Don’t use your main Twitter account, especially if your account matters to you.
- Consider making a burner account for scraping. If Twitter flags or bans it, you’re not losing sleep.
- Texau’s instructions for getting the cookie are straightforward, but if you’re not comfortable with browser extensions or copying cookies, this might feel sketchy.
Step 3: Gather Your List of Twitter Profiles
Texau works best when you already know which profiles you want to scrape. You’ll need a list of Twitter usernames or profile URLs.
How to build your list: - Use Twitter search, advanced search, or third-party tools to find usernames. - Save them in a plain text file or spreadsheet—one per line. - For bulk work, always clean your list. Remove duplicates and obvious spam.
Pro tip:
Texau can automate finding usernames (like scraping followers of a specific account), but start small. Once you see how results look, you can get fancier.
Step 4: Pick the Right Texau Recipe
Texau calls its automations “recipes.” For scraping Twitter profiles, start with the “Twitter Profile Scraper.”
How to find it: 1. In Texau, search for “Twitter Profile Scraper.” 2. Click into the recipe for details.
What this recipe does:
Given a list of usernames or profile URLs, it scrapes public profile info and exports it as a CSV or Google Sheet.
Ignore the hype:
- The data you get is only as good as what’s public on Twitter.
- Don’t expect magic enrichment (like emails or deep analytics).
- “AI-powered” features are mostly just marketing fluff.
Step 5: Configure and Run the Scraper
Now it’s time to actually run the process.
Set up your recipe: 1. Upload your list of usernames or profile URLs. 2. Choose your output format (CSV is simplest). 3. Set throttling or delays (Texau defaults are usually safe). 4. Double-check you’re using your burner Twitter account’s cookie.
Run it: - Hit “Run” and watch the progress bar. - For big lists, Texau will process a batch at a time. Don’t expect instant results for thousands of profiles.
Common issues: - If you see lots of errors, your Twitter session cookie may have expired. Reconnect. - If you get “rate limit” warnings, slow things down or wait a few hours. - Twitter changes things often, so some fields might come back blank or inconsistent.
Pro tip:
Start with a small test run (10-20 profiles) to iron out issues before scaling up.
Step 6: Download and Use Your Data
When the run finishes, you’ll get a downloadable CSV. Open it up in Excel, Google Sheets, or your database tool of choice.
Typical columns you’ll see: - Username - Name - Bio - Location - Website - Followers / Following / Tweets count - Profile image URL
What to do next: - Clean up the data (remove blanks, fix weird characters). - Combine with other data sources if needed. - Use it for outreach, research, or whatever your project calls for.
What to Watch Out For
Scraping Twitter isn’t risk-free or always reliable. Here’s the real scoop:
- Accounts can get flagged. Even with throttling, Twitter sometimes blocks accounts that look automated. That’s why you use a burner.
- Data quality isn’t perfect. Expect typos, missing fields, and odd formatting.
- Texau’s reliability varies. Recipes can break if Twitter changes its site. If something suddenly stops working, check Texau’s changelog or help docs.
- Scraping is a legal gray area. If you’re using scraped data for anything sensitive or commercial, read up on the risks and terms of service.
Ignore:
- Any tool that promises “hidden” data from Twitter is probably full of it.
- Claims of “undetectable” scraping aren’t realistic, especially at scale.
- Don’t expect Texau to replace a real CRM or research tool—it’s a scraper, not a magic bullet.
Troubleshooting: Common Headaches and Fixes
Problem: Texau can’t connect to Twitter or says your session expired.
Fix: Re-copy your session cookie using the Chrome extension. If Twitter forced you to log in again, you’ll need a fresh cookie.
Problem: Lots of errors or empty rows in your output.
Fix: Twitter may have changed its layout. Try again later, check for Texau updates, or reach out to their support.
Problem: You’re getting blocked fast, even with delays.
Fix: Slow down your runs, use a different burner account, or spread activity across multiple accounts.
Quick FAQs
Can I scrape profile emails?
Only if they’re publicly listed in the bio, which is rare.
Will my real Twitter account get banned?
If you use your main account, maybe. That’s why you use a burner.
Can I scrape private profiles?
Nope. Only public info is accessible.
What if I need more data per profile?
Combine Texau’s output with other enrichment tools, but expect diminishing returns.
Keep It Simple—Iterate As You Go
Scraping Twitter profiles with Texau works, but it’s not magic. Start small, use a burner account, and expect to tweak things as Twitter changes. Don’t fall for big promises—get the data you need, clean it up, and move on. If something breaks, don’t panic—it’s just part of the game.
Remember: The goal isn’t to build a perfect, all-knowing database. It’s to save yourself time and get what you need without headaches. Start simple, iterate, and don’t overthink it.