Organize downloaded Instagram and TikTok videos around stable post identifiers and a small manifest, rather than relying on captions as filenames. Keep the source URL, creator, collection date, and reason for saving each file. This lets you find a reference after captions change and prevents duplicate downloads from becoming separate research findings.
Try the workflow in Chrome
Use FeedRama on a supported Instagram or TikTok page, and check the available range and actions in your account.
Add FeedRama to ChromeUse a simple folder structure
Start with a project folder, then separate original production assets from platform references. Within references, use the platform and creator if that makes retrieval easier. Avoid nesting so deeply that every review becomes a search through many folders.
| Folder | Purpose |
|---|---|
| originals | Your camera files and editing projects |
| references/instagram | Permitted Instagram media |
| references/tiktok | Permitted TikTok media |
| exports | Dated CSV or JSON snapshots |
| briefs | Your interpretation and creative decisions |
Keep identifiers when renaming files
FeedRama filenames can contain creator and post information, with dates or captions when available. Preserve the post identifier when adding a project label. A caption is a description, not a stable key: two posts can use the same caption, and a caption can change.
For carousels, retain slide sequence numbers after extracting the archive. Sorting loose files by name should not scramble the original narrative. See carousel downloads for the output structure.
Maintain one manifest row per source post
Use columns for platform, source URL, creator, publication date if known, collection date, local path, media type, and reason saved. A carousel can point to a folder rather than trying to fit every slide into a separate post row.
Use FeedRama and the TikTok downloader for accessible references. A post-data export can provide part of the manifest, but local paths and research notes are fields you add yourself.
Separate duplicates from new observations
Two downloads of the same post are not two different content examples. If you collected the same post at different times to inspect changing metrics, keep both snapshots in the data folder and one clearly labeled media reference unless the media itself changed.
At the end of a project, keep the references cited in the final brief and archive the rest according to your own retention needs. Test a few links and local paths before handing the folder to someone else; moving a folder can break paths even when the files still exist.
Frequently asked questions
Should I name files only by caption?
No. Captions can repeat or change. Keep the source identifier and add a readable label if useful.
How should I organize carousel slides?
Keep one folder per source post and preserve numbered slide filenames so their order remains clear.
Should duplicate posts have duplicate research rows?
Use one post identity, with separate dated observations when metrics were collected at different times. Do not count repeated downloads as new posts.
Does FeedRama fill in local file paths in my sheet?
The suggested manifest includes fields you maintain yourself. Post exports do not automatically create your complete project filing system.
What is the minimum useful manifest?
Source URL, platform, creator, collection date, local filename or folder, and a reason for saving the reference.