> **For coding agents and LLMs:** This is one Social Fetch marketing page (markdown export). For API orientation start with [`/llms.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms.txt); for auth and crawl rules use [`/agents.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/agents.txt); for every operation use [`/llms-endpoints.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms-endpoints.txt).

## This page

- **On-site (HTML):** <https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/youtube/channel>
- **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** <https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/youtube/channel.mdx>

---

# YouTube Channel API

Resolve a public YouTube channel by handle, channel ID, or URL — subscriber metrics and identity fields in the same envelope as TikTok and Instagram profiles.

`GET /v1/youtube/channel` accepts `handle`, `channelId`, or `url` as query params. Pass one identifier per request. The response uses the shared Social Fetch envelope — branch on `data.lookupStatus` before you write rows, keep `meta.requestId` for support, and bill from `meta.creditsCharged`. Subscriber counts land in the same metrics object shape as follower totals on other platforms, so cross-network creator scores do not fork on field names.

This route is a single-channel get. For upload lists use `GET /v1/youtube/channels/videos` or `GET /v1/youtube/channels/shorts`. For spoken text on a video, use the transcript route. All of them share one API key with the rest of the YouTube tag.

## Request

- **Endpoint:** `GET /v1/youtube/channel`
- **Credits:** 1 credit
Failed requests are free
- **Input:** by channel id, handle, or URL
- **Full reference:** [docs](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api/v1/youtube/channel/get)
- **Platform page:** [/platforms/youtube](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/youtube)

## FAQ

### How do I look up a YouTube channel via API?

Call GET /v1/youtube/channel with your Social Fetch API key (x-api-key) and one of handle, channelId, or url. Read data.lookupStatus before writing rows. See the API docs for parameters and examples.

### What identifiers does the YouTube Channel API accept?

A @handle, a channel ID (UC… style), or a public channel URL. Pass one per request — do not combine conflicting identifiers on the same call.

### How much does YouTube channel lookup cost?

Pricing is documented on the operation in the API registry (shown on this page). Confirm on every response with meta.creditsCharged — that field is the billing source of truth.

### How is this different from the YouTube Data API?

YouTube Data API is Google's official product with its own auth, quotas, and scopes. Social Fetch is a third-party public-data API with credit metering and a unified response shape across platforms. Prefer Google when you need official quotas, uploads, or partner features.

### Does a completed lookup always mean the channel was found?

No. HTTP 200 means the request finished. Check data.lookupStatus: found means you got a channel card; not_found means the identifier did not resolve. Persist meta.requestId when you need to debug a miss.

### Can I list videos from the same channel on this route?

No. This endpoint returns channel details only. Use GET /v1/youtube/channels/videos for long-form uploads and GET /v1/youtube/channels/shorts for Shorts. Both take handle or channelId.

### Do I need a Google Cloud project for this endpoint?

No. You authenticate to Social Fetch with an API key. The route reads public channel data; it does not act on behalf of a logged-in YouTube user.