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Use Python’s requests library to send a GET request to Microlink with the page URL and screenshot=true. Microlink returns JSON containing screenshot details and a hosted image URL.
Take a screenshot with Microlink in Python
Install the only dependency if you do not already have it:
python -m pip install requestsThen request a screenshot and read its hosted URL from the JSON response:
import requests
api_url = "https://api.microlink.io/"
params = {
"url": "https://www.netflix.com/title/80057281",
"screenshot": "true",
}
try:
response = requests.get(api_url, params=params, timeout=60)
response.raise_for_status()
result = response.json()
except requests.RequestException as exc:
raise SystemExit(f"Microlink request failed: {exc}")
except ValueError as exc:
raise SystemExit(f"Microlink returned invalid JSON: {exc}")
if result.get("status") != "success":
raise SystemExit(f"Microlink API error: {result}")
screenshot = result["data"]["screenshot"]
print("Image URL:", screenshot["url"])
print("Dimensions:", screenshot.get("width"), "x", screenshot.get("height"))
print("Format:", screenshot.get("type"))The URL in the example is illustrative; the target page must be publicly reachable. Microlink’s documented response places screenshot information under data.screenshot, including the asset URL and potentially width, height, type, and size. See Microlink’s screenshot parameter documentation.
#1 Best Overall
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Download the image file instead of printing its URL
The default response is JSON with metadata and a hosted screenshot URL. To save the actual image locally, make a second request to that URL:
image_response = requests.get(screenshot["url"], timeout=60)
image_response.raise_for_status()
with open("page-screenshot.png", "wb") as image_file:
image_file.write(image_response.content)The filename extension should match the returned image format. Check screenshot["type"] or the asset response’s content type rather than assuming every capture is PNG.
Choose the capture and response options you need
Capture one element
Add an element parameter with a CSS selector to capture a specific part of the page instead of the page generally:
Rank #2
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- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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params["element"] = "#section-hero"Replace the selector with an element that actually exists on the target page. Microlink documents this option in its screenshot examples.
Capture the full page or set the viewport
Microlink supports full-page screenshots and viewport controls, including width, height, and device scale factor. Use the current screenshot parameter reference for exact parameter names and accepted values; its current reference does not establish the full-page parameter spelling.
Skip metadata extraction
If you need only the screenshot and not the page’s other metadata, add meta=false:
Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
params["meta"] = "false"Microlink says disabling metadata extraction is usually the biggest speedup when the image is the only needed result.
Return the image directly
If the caller needs image bytes rather than JSON metadata and a hosted URL, use embed=screenshot.url. This makes the response serve the image asset directly. See Microlink’s embed parameter reference for the current behavior and syntax.
The Tool Desk
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- Use an absolute URL: Microlink requires
urland the target must start withhttp://orhttps://. - Make the destination publicly reachable: a URL requiring a private network or unavailable to Microlink may not capture successfully. A valid API request does not guarantee that every destination will render.
- Encode destination query strings: passing parameters through the
paramsdictionary lets Requests encode them. Avoid manually concatenating a target URL with its own query string into the Microlink request URL, where parameters could be misinterpreted. - Check both HTTP and API status:
raise_for_status()catches HTTP errors; Microlink’s JSON response also has a top-level status such assuccess,fail, orerror. - Handle quota responses: the API documents HTTP 429 and error code
ERATEwhen quota is exceeded. Response headers includex-rate-limit-limit,x-rate-limit-remaining, andx-rate-limit-reset.
Authentication, quota, and operational considerations
Microlink’s screenshot guide says the API can be tried without an API key and currently allows 25 free requests per day; this is a vendor allowance that may change. Check the current screenshot guide for applicable plan terms. The API overview describes x-api-key authentication for pro.microlink.io and states a 99.9% uptime SLA on paid plans; both are vendor-published terms, not independent performance measurements. See the Microlink API overview.
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
For private pages, Microlink says forwarding cookies or tokens requires Pro. Its documented approach uses x-api-header-* request headers to pro.microlink.io. Keep credentials on a backend, never in query strings or public frontend code, and capture only pages and session data you are authorized to access. Review Microlink’s use-case documentation before handling authenticated pages.
For repeated captures, Microlink documents configurable TTL, stale-while-revalidate caching, custom filenames, custom headers, and proxy as plan features. Those options can affect freshness, access, and cost; confirm current plan availability before relying on them.
Common problems and fixes
- Missing or malformed URL: include the full scheme, such as
https://example.com, and ensure the destination is publicly reachable. - Cannot find
data.screenshot.url: inspect the full JSON response and confirm its top-level status issuccessbefore indexing into the screenshot object. Failures may not include screenshot data. - HTTP 429 or
ERATE: inspect the rate-limit headers, wait until reset, or review the current plan allowance. - Image request fails after the API succeeds: check that the URL was extracted from the successful response and request it with a separate HTTP GET; check the returned status before writing bytes.
- Private page is blank or inaccessible: public access is not enough for pages behind login. Use the documented Pro authentication approach from a trusted backend and verify that the session is authorized.
- Capture is slower than expected: when you only need an image, try
meta=falseto avoid metadata extraction.
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a screenshot API with a one-request Python option, plus an MCP server for AI agents using Claude, Cursor, or other MCP clients. It accepts cookie banners like a visitor and removes 60+ known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; those steps can be switched off. Bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are not billed, and responses identify page verdict and billing status. It includes 1,000 screenshots a month free with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
Python example:
import requests
r = requests.get(
"https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot",
params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"},
timeout=90,
)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for setup and options. Sign up free for 1,000 screenshots a month with no card.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microlink capture a page that is not public?
Microlink documents forwarding cookies or tokens for private pages on Pro through request headers to pro.microlink.io; keep those credentials server-side.
Does the Microlink screenshot request return image bytes by default?
No. The default response is JSON containing screenshot metadata and a hosted asset URL; Microlink documents embed=screenshot.url for a direct image response.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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