Detect, validate, sanitize, and parse IDs from social profile URLs: many platforms, no extra dependencies
social-links is a pure Python helper for social URLs: auto-detect platform, check a link against a named platform, normalize to a canonical shape, and extract usernames or IDs. The README ships 65+ predefined platforms (major networks plus developer and creator sites) and allows custom regex-based platforms when you need more.
When it is useful
You ingest profile links from users, build directory or signup flows, or clean UGC before storage. Install from PyPI; docs and a browser demo are linked from the repository.
What you can do
- Call the module-level API for typical cases or the
SocialLinksclass when you need custom lists or regex flags. - Extend or override platform definitions for internal domains or new networks.
- Rely on pattern-based matching; understand that edge-case URLs may still need human review.
Limits
- Validation is regex-driven, not a live probe of whether an account exists or is safe.
- Platforms change URLs over time; pin versions and add tests for links you care about.
- Phishing and lookalike domains are a separate security concern; do not treat “valid shape” as “trusted site.”
