YouTube

API

Integrate YouTube video functionality into your apps and sites

Overview

The YouTube Data API enables developers to embed and interact with YouTube's ecosystem. It provides RESTful endpoints for accessing video metadata, channel stats, playlists, comments, and analytics. Responses are JSON-formatted. Use cases include embedding videos, displaying channel insights, managing playlists, searching content, and fetching comment threads. It supports OAuth 2.0 for authenticated actions (uploading videos, modifying playlists) and requires an API key for public data access. Ideal for building video aggregators, marketing tools, or educational platforms.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://developers.google.com/youtube/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful
JSON responses
OAuth 2.0 authentication
Video/channel/playlist access
Content search
Analytics integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is YouTube API free to use?

Yes, it offers a free tier with quota limits; paid plans are available for exceeding quota.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes—most public data endpoints need an API key, while authenticated actions (like uploading videos) require OAuth 2.0.

? What is the response format?

All endpoints return data in JSON format.

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Tool Info

Pricing Freemium

Category Video

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Well-documented
⊕ Comprehensive feature set
⊕ Google-backed reliability
⊕ Supports public and user-specific actions

Cons

⊖ Quota limits on free tier
⊖ Requires API key/OAuth
⊖ Complex rate limiting
⊖ Advanced features need paid plans