YouTube Developer Documentation

  • YouTube offers APIs and tools to integrate YouTube functionalities, like video playback and channel subscriptions, into your website or app.

  • Developers can utilize YouTube Player APIs for Android, iOS, and web embeds to customize video playback experiences.

  • The YouTube Data API enables access to features like video uploads, playlist management, and data retrieval for analytics and live streaming.

  • Resources like the YouTube Subscribe Button facilitate user engagement and channel growth directly within external platforms.

YouTube has a number of APIs and tools that let you embed YouTube functionality into your own website and applications.

YouTube Player and Widgets

IFrame Player API Reference
Use an embedded player to play videos directly in your app.
iOS Helper Library
Embed a YouTube IFrame Player into an iOS application.
YouTube Player Parameters
Customize the playback experience with a variety of player settings.
YouTube Subscribe Button
Enable users to subscribe to your YouTube channel with one click.

YouTube Data and Resources

Use the following table to find the YouTube API that best fits your needs:

API
Type
Description
Primary Users
Auth
YouTube app features
Public
Add YouTube app features to your application, including the ability to upload videos, create and manage playlists, edit video metadata, and more.
Developers
API Key / OAuth 2.0
Public
Schedule live YouTube broadcasts and manage your broadcast video streams. Technically, this API is part of the YouTube Data API.
Developers
API Key / OAuth 2.0
YouTube analytics and reporting
Public
Real-time Dashboards. Targeted queries for demographics, traffic sources, and engagement.
MCNs & Labels
OAuth 2.0
Public
Big Data. Bulk downloads of large datasets for financial reporting and performance analysis.
Data Analysts
OAuth 2.0
YouTube content ownership and management
Restricted to YouTube Partners
( details )
Rights Management. Bulk asset creation, policy updates, and claims management.
Content Owners
OAuth 2.0

Dimensional Data in YouTube APIs

Type Content ID API Data API Analytics API Reporting API
Revenue Data
Granular
Asset/Ownership Data
ISRC UPC Data
Playlist Data
Granular
Demographic Data
Policy Data
Granular
Caption & Thumbnail Data

Dimension Breakdown

This table provides a granular breakdown of the data available in each API.

Type
Dimension
Content ID API
Data API
Analytics API
Reporting API
DateTime
Time Periods
Entity IDs
Video ID
Channel ID
Asset ID
ISRC
Custom Partner ID
Content Owner ID
UPC
Playback Slices
Traffic Source
Granular
Content Type (UGC / PMV)
Platform
OS
Playlists
Granular
Playback Location
User Slices
Age Group
Gender
Country
Region
Metrics
Views
Engaged Views
Claims
Granular
Watch Time
Granular
Likes / Dislikes
Granular
Audience Retention
Cards Shown/Clicked
End Screens Shown/Clicked
Subscribers
Granular
Shared
Impressions
Revenue
Granular
Ad-Supported Financial Reports
Granular
Subscription Financial Reports
Granular
Annotations
Shorts Metrics
Platform Functions
Activities
Granular
Captions
Channels
Granular
Policies
Granular
Comments
Granular
i18nRegions
i18nLanguages
Members
Playlists
Granular
Search
Subscriptions
Thumbnails
Videos
Granular
Ownership
Granular
References
Granular
Watermarks
Granular
MetaData
Artist
Description
Published Time
Title
Language
Granular
Content Rating
Granular
Content Details
Granular
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