# YouTube Channel API. Send a handle or channel link.

Subscribers, exact view counts and social links. We handle the proxies, blocks and platform changes.

[Get API key](https://socialtap.dev/signup/?next=%2Fplayground%2F%3Fendpoint%3Dyoutube.profile)

## YouTube Channel API at a glance

Returns a public YouTube channel from its handle, link or ID, with its subscriber count, exact video and view counts, and its About panel links. It also has the channel ID, handle, name, description, keywords, avatar, banner, verification badge, country and join date. Accepts a handle with or without the @, any channel link with any tab (@handle, /channel/UC…, the legacy /c/, /user/ and root vanity links), or a bare channel ID.

GET `/v1/youtube/profile`

[Read the API reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/youtube/profile/index.md)

- **1 credit** per request, $0.75–$1.97 per 1,000 requests
- **19 typed fields** null when unknown
- **`handle`** is all it needs, e.g. `@NASA`
- **100 credits** free when you sign up, no card, so you can build before you spend

## Send one request. Get 19 fields back.

Copy the request in your language, or hand it to your agent. Sign up for an API key and your first 100 credits are free.

`$ npm install socialtap`

`handle = @NASA`

[Open in playground](https://socialtap.dev/playground/?endpoint=youtube.profile)

cURL:

```shell
curl -G 'https://socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/profile' \
  --data-urlencode 'handle=@NASA' \
  -H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"
```

TypeScript SDK:

```typescript
import { SocialTap } from "socialtap";

const client = new SocialTap(); // apiKey defaults to process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY

const res = await client.youtube.profile.get({ handle: "@NASA" });
console.log(res.data);
console.log(res.credits.charged, res.meta.request_id);
```

Node.js (fetch):

```javascript
const params = new URLSearchParams({
  handle: "@NASA",
});
const res = await fetch(`https://socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/profile?${params}`, {
  headers: { "x-api-key": process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY ?? "" },
});
const body = await res.json();
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${body.error.code}: ${body.error.message}`);
const { data, meta } = body;
console.log(data, meta.credits_charged);
```

Python (requests):

```python
import os

import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/profile",
    params={"handle": "@NASA"},
    headers={"x-api-key": os.environ["SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"]},
)
body = res.json()
if not res.ok:
    raise RuntimeError(f"{body['error']['code']}: {body['error']['message']}")
data, meta = body["data"], body["meta"]
print(data, meta["credits_charged"])
```

Go (net/http):

```go
package main

import (
	"encoding/json"
	"fmt"
	"log"
	"net/http"
	"net/url"
	"os"
)

func main() {
	q := url.Values{}
	q.Set("handle", "@NASA")
	req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/profile?"+q.Encode(), nil)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatal(err)
	}
	req.Header.Set("x-api-key", os.Getenv("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"))
	res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatal(err)
	}
	defer res.Body.Close()
	var body struct {
		Data  json.RawMessage `json:"data"`
		Meta  map[string]any  `json:"meta"`
		Error *struct {
			Code    string `json:"code"`
			Message string `json:"message"`
		} `json:"error"`
	}
	if err := json.NewDecoder(res.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil {
		log.Fatal(err)
	}
	if body.Error != nil {
		log.Fatalf("%s: %s", body.Error.Code, body.Error.Message)
	}
	fmt.Println(string(body.Data), body.Meta["credits_charged"])
}
```

200 OK:

```json
{
  "data": {
    "approximate_fields": [
      "created_at",
      "metrics.follower_count"
    ],
    "avatar_url": "https://yt3.googleusercontent.com/eIf5fNPcIcj9ig-wZBeq4stFy1lgjWTW1nLT5dYlFkHZprZ03QBiMcbpwNMB6XSBjrSFGtAGQg=s900-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj",
    "banner_url": "https://yt3.googleusercontent.com/y8Srh-oCcilLvBO8jAPI546m1bn0puA5DIvQiBZ1cSxc_rZfKxKSFlTCtoCQCtB6viUf1NGsaQ=w2560-fcrop64=1,00005a57ffffa5a8-k-c0xffffffff-no-nd-rj",
    "bio": "NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.\n\nTo do that, we have worked around the world—and off it—for more than 60 years, searching for answers to fundamental questions about our place in the universe. We're expl…",
    "category": null,
    "country_code": null,
    "created_at": "2008-06-03T07:00:00Z",
    "display_name": "NASA",
    "external_links": [
      {
        "title": "nasa.gov",
        "url": "https://www.nasa.gov"
      },
      {
        "title": "X",
        "url": "https://x.com/nasa"
      },
      {
        "title": "Facebook",
        "url": "https://www.facebook.com/NASA"
      }
    ],
    "id": "UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ",
    "is_private": false,
    "is_verified": true,
    "location": null,
    "metrics": {
      "follower_count": 15100000,
      "following_count": null,
      "post_count": 6194,
      "total_like_count": null,
      "total_view_count": 1132473139
    },
    "platform": "youtube",
    "platform_specific": {
      "youtube": {
        "is_business_email_listed": null,
        "is_official_artist_channel": false,
        "is_subscriber_count_hidden": false,
        "keywords": [
          "nasa",
          "space",
          "iss"
        ]
      }
    },
    "type": "unknown",
    "unknown_fields": [],
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@NASA",
    "username": "NASA"
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f",
    "platform": "youtube",
    "source": "api",
    "is_cached": false,
    "credits_charged": 1,
    "latency_ms": 456,
    "fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z",
    "input": {
      "kind": "profile",
      "id": "UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ",
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@NASA"
    },
    "credits_remaining": 9999,
    "client_request_id": null,
    "warnings": []
  }
}
```

Long arrays and strings are shortened here. Real responses are complete.

## One schema on 27 platforms.

The [response reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/youtube/profile/index.md#response) lists every field, its type and when it is `null`. [See the full schema](https://socialtap.dev/resources/profile/index.md).

- ### Null means unknown

  A field YouTube doesn't show is null, never zero or an empty string, so a real zero always means zero.
- ### What it accepts

  YouTube channel: a handle with or without the @ (NASA, @NASA), any channel link (youtube.com/@NASA, youtube.com/channel/UC…, the legacy youtube.com/c/\<name>, youtube.com/user/\<name> and youtube.com/\<name> links, with any tab or view after them such as /videos, /playlists, /posts or /about, and m. or music. hosts), a bare UC… channel ID, or c/\<name>, user/\<name> or vanity/\<name>.
- ### Write one parser

  YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and 24 more platforms answer in these fields, so the code that reads one reads them all.

- **`platform`string**: Platform ID (tiktok, youtube, …).
- **`id`string**: Platform-native account ID (string; YouTube UC…, Reddit t2_…).
- **`username`string**: Handle without the @; null when the account has none.
- **`display_name`string**: Display name, channel title or page name; null when empty or not exposed.
- **`url`string**: Canonical profile URL.
- **`type`string**: Coarse account kind, as the platform labels it; unknown when it does not (TikTok labels organizations only). New values may be added; treat unknown values as unknown.
- **`bio`string**: Profile bio, channel description or page about text; null when empty or not exposed.
- **`avatar_url`string**: Profile picture URL (largest available). Platform CDN URLs can expire within hours.

Live data from 33 platforms.

[TikTok](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok/index.md) · [Instagram](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/index.md) · [Facebook](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/index.md) · [YouTube](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/index.md) · [Reddit](https://socialtap.dev/apis/reddit/index.md) · [Threads](https://socialtap.dev/apis/threads/index.md) · [Spotify](https://socialtap.dev/apis/spotify/index.md) · [Amazon](https://socialtap.dev/apis/amazon/index.md) · [Apple Music](https://socialtap.dev/apis/applemusic/index.md) · [Pinterest](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pinterest/index.md) · [Rumble](https://socialtap.dev/apis/rumble/index.md) · [X](https://socialtap.dev/apis/x/index.md) · [Bluesky](https://socialtap.dev/apis/bluesky/index.md) · [Twitch](https://socialtap.dev/apis/twitch/index.md) · [LinkedIn](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkedin/index.md) · [Telegram](https://socialtap.dev/apis/telegram/index.md) · [TikTok Shop](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktokshop/index.md) · [Kwai](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kwai/index.md) · [Snapchat](https://socialtap.dev/apis/snapchat/index.md) · [SoundCloud](https://socialtap.dev/apis/soundcloud/index.md) · [Truth Social](https://socialtap.dev/apis/truthsocial/index.md) · [Kick](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kick/index.md) · [Komi](https://socialtap.dev/apis/komi/index.md) · [Lnk.Bio](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkbio/index.md) · [Linkme](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkme/index.md) · [Linktree](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linktree/index.md) · [Pillar](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pillar/index.md) · [TikTok Ad Library](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok-ad-library/index.md) · [Facebook Ad Library](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook-ad-library/index.md) · [Facebook Events](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook-events/index.md) · [Facebook Marketplace](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook-marketplace/index.md) · [Google Ads Transparency Center](https://socialtap.dev/apis/google-ads-transparency/index.md) · [LinkedIn Ad Library](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkedin-ad-library/index.md)

## What teams build with the YouTube Channel API.

- ### Track subscriber growth over time
- ### Enrich lead lists with creators' social links
- ### Resolve a channel ID to a full profile
- ### Screen creators by country and size

## Good to know before you build.

- metrics.follower_count is the subscriber count YouTube shows, rounded for display (listed in approximate_fields), and null when the channel hides it. Video and view counts are exact, and both are null for a channel without public videos.
- created_at is the start of the US Pacific day YouTube shows as the join date, in UTC, so the channel was created within the following day (listed in approximate_fields).
- location is the country the owner set, as YouTube names it, and country_code its ISO code.
- is_verified is true for the check mark and for an Official Artist Channel's note badge. YouTube's built-in channels (Music, Sports, Gaming, News, Learning, Live, Fashion & Beauty, Shopping) have no badge or banner (null), and all but Music have no About panel, so they return what their header shows.
- A bare string is a handle, even one shaped like a video ID. Send a channel link or the UC… ID to be unambiguous. Links to youtube.com pages that are not channels return not_found or invalid_input.
- metrics.following_count and metrics.total_like_count are always null and type is unknown, because YouTube does not show them. Business email addresses are behind a sign-in and are not returned.
- Terminated and unknown channels return not_found.

## 1 credit per request. Failed requests are free.

Buy credits once and spend them on any endpoint, on any platform.

[Plans and packs](https://socialtap.dev/pricing/index.md) · [How this endpoint is priced](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/youtube/profile/index.md#pricing) · [How credits work](https://socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md)

| Source | Price per successful request | Per 1,000 requests |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Any source | 1 credit | $0.75–$1.97 |

- Cache hits are free.
- Credits from packs and top-ups never expire.
- A monthly plan's credits are spent first, and what is left of them ends at each renewal.
- Prices exclude tax: sales tax is added at checkout where it applies.
- Outside the US, plans and packs are sold to businesses: checkout asks for your VAT, GST or other business tax ID.

## Questions about the YouTube Channel API.

More in the [API reference](https://socialtap.dev/docs/reference/youtube/profile/index.md).

**How much does the YouTube Channel API cost?**

A request costs 1 credit. SocialTap credits cost $0.75–$1.97 per 1,000, depending on the plan or pack.

Other platforms

## Profiles on 26 more platforms.

- [TikTok Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/tiktok/profile`)
- [Instagram Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/profile`)
- [Facebook Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/facebook/profile`)
- [Reddit Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/reddit/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/reddit/profile`)
- [Threads Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/threads/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/threads/profile`)
- [Spotify Artist API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/spotify/artist/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/spotify/artist`)
- [Amazon Shop API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/amazon/shop/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/amazon/shop`)
- [Apple Music Artist API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/applemusic/artist/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/applemusic/artist`)
- [Pinterest Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pinterest/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/pinterest/profile`)
- [Rumble Channel API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/rumble/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/rumble/profile`)
- [X (Twitter) Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/x/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/x/profile`)
- [Bluesky Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/bluesky/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/bluesky/profile`)
- [Twitch Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/twitch/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/twitch/profile`)
- [LinkedIn Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkedin/profile/index.md) (From 1 credit · `GET /v1/linkedin/profile`)
- [Telegram Channel API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/telegram/channel/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/telegram/channel`)
- [Kwai Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/kwai/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/kwai/profile`)
- [Snapchat Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/snapchat/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/snapchat/profile`)
- [SoundCloud Artist API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/soundcloud/artist/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/soundcloud/artist`)
- [Truth Social Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/truthsocial/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/truthsocial/profile`)
- [Komi Page API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/komi/page/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/komi/page`)
- [Lnk.Bio Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkbio/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/linkbio/profile`)
- [Linkme Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linkme/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/linkme/profile`)
- [Linktree Profile API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/linktree/profile/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/linktree/profile`)
- [Pillar Page API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/pillar/page/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/pillar/page`)
- [Facebook Ad Library Advertiser Search API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/search_advertisers/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/facebook/search_advertisers`)
- [Google Ads Transparency Center Advertiser API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/google/advertiser/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/google/advertiser`)

More YouTube

## YouTube API. 6 endpoints, one key.

- [YouTube Video API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/post/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/youtube/post`)
- [YouTube Channel Videos API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/posts/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/youtube/posts`)
- [YouTube Comments API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/comments/index.md) (1 credit / page · `GET /v1/youtube/comments`)
- [YouTube Transcript API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/transcript/index.md) (From 1 credit · `GET /v1/youtube/transcript`)
- [YouTube Engagement API](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/engagement/index.md) (1 credit · `GET /v1/youtube/engagement`)

## Try it on an account you know.

Paste its handle or link in the playground, or copy the request into your code.

100free credits

- No credit card
- Failed requests are free
- Works on all 218 endpoints

[Start for free](https://socialtap.dev/signup/) [Read the docs](https://socialtap.dev/docs/index.md)

---

[HTML version](https://socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/profile/) · [Docs index for AI agents](https://socialtap.dev/llms.txt) · [All docs in one file](https://socialtap.dev/llms-full.txt)
