# YouTube Video Scraper - Search, Views & Metadata (`chrisp1211/youtube-scraper-max`) Actor Scrape YouTube videos by search term or channel. Returns title, views, channel, published date, duration and video URL with pagination. No API key. Pay only per video; empty or failed runs cost nothing. - **URL**: https://apify.com/chrisp1211/youtube-scraper-max.md - **Developed by:** [Christian Pichichero](https://apify.com/chrisp1211) (community) - **Categories:** Videos - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing $1.00 / 1,000 video records This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## YouTube Video Scraper — Search, Views & Metadata **YouTube Video Scraper — Search, Views & Metadata** — a fast, reliable youtube scraper that needs **no API key**. Scrape YouTube videos by search or URL — title, channel, views, duration, published date, description. You pay only for the results you get: failed or empty runs are always free. This youtube scraper runs on the [Apify platform](https://apify.com), so you can call it from the API, run it on a schedule, or export results to JSON, CSV, Excel, or Google Sheets. ### What this scraper does - Extracts structured **youtube** data with no browser or API key required - Returns clean JSON, one record per result — ready for sheets, databases, or apps - Pay-per-result pricing: you are never charged for a run that returns nothing - Runs on demand or on a schedule, and integrates with 5,000+ apps via the Apify API and webhooks ### What data you get Each result record includes fields such as: - **Video Id** (`videoId`) — e.g. `"n61ULEU7CO0"` - **Url** (`url`) — e.g. `"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n61ULEU7CO0"` - **Title** (`title`) — e.g. `"Best of lofi hip hop 2021 \u2728 [beats to relax/study to]"` - **Channel** (`channel`) — e.g. `"Lofi Girl"` - **Channel Id** (`channelId`) — e.g. `"UCSJ4gkVC6NrvII8umztf0Ow"` - **Channel Url** (`channelUrl`) — e.g. `"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJ4gkVC6NrvII8umztf0Ow"` - **View Count Text** (`viewCountText`) — e.g. `"55,840,034 views"` - **View Count** (`viewCount`) — e.g. `55840034` - **Length Text** (`lengthText`) — e.g. `"6:10:58"` - **Duration Seconds** (`durationSeconds`) — e.g. `22258` - **Published Text** (`publishedText`) — e.g. `"4 years ago"` - **Description Snippet** (`descriptionSnippet`) — e.g. `"Listen on Spotify, Apple music and more \u2192 https://f...` - **Thumbnail Url** (`thumbnailUrl`) — e.g. `"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n61ULEU7CO0/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwE...` - **Is Live** (`isLive`) — e.g. `false` ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |---|---|---| | `searchTerms` | array | Keywords to search YouTube for videos. | | `videoUrls` | array | YouTube video URLs or IDs for detailed data (watch?v=..., youtu.be/..., or 11-char ID). | | `maxResults` | integer | Maximum videos to scrape per search term (paginates automatically). | | `minViews` | integer | Skip videos below this view count. Leave empty for no filter. | ### Example output ```json { "type": "video", "videoId": "n61ULEU7CO0", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n61ULEU7CO0", "title": "Best of lofi hip hop 2021 \u2728 [beats to relax/study to]", "channel": "Lofi Girl", "channelId": "UCSJ4gkVC6NrvII8umztf0Ow", "channelUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJ4gkVC6NrvII8umztf0Ow", "viewCountText": "55,840,034 views", "viewCount": 55840034, "lengthText": "6:10:58", "durationSeconds": 22258, "publishedText": "4 years ago", "descriptionSnippet": "Listen on Spotify, Apple music and more \u2192 https://fanlink.tv/BestofLofi2021 The new Lofi Girl compilation \u201cBest of 2021\u201d is out now\u00a0...", "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n61ULEU7CO0/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLAi4TCpAtbxLFIBULRlcZHudl1uFw", "isLive": false, "scrapedAt": "2026-07-10T15:47:31Z", "sourceSurface": "search" } ```` ### Use cases - Research video content and channels - Track views and performance over time - Spot trends and topics - Feed content-strategy dashboards ### Run it as a monitor (alerts on new youtube) Schedule this youtube scraper to run automatically — hourly, daily, or on any cron schedule — with the built-in [Apify Scheduler](https://docs.apify.com/platform/schedules), and have results pushed to you by **webhook, email, Slack, or your own app** the moment they're ready. It's the easiest way to **monitor youtube for changes over time** and get alerted the instant something new appears — no manual runs. Because pricing is per result, a scheduled monitor only ever charges you for the data each run actually returns. ### Pricing This actor uses **pay-per-result** pricing at **$0.001 per record**. There is no monthly fee and no start fee — and **empty or failed runs cost $0**, so you only ever pay for data you actually receive. ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need an API key or account for the source?** No. This youtube scraper works out of the box with no API key required. **What happens if a run returns no results?** You are not charged. Billing is per result, so empty or failed runs are free. **Can I run the youtube scraper on a schedule?** Yes. Use the Apify Scheduler to run it hourly, daily, or on any cron schedule, and get results by webhook or API. **What export formats are supported?** Results can be exported as JSON, CSV, Excel, HTML, or pushed to Google Sheets, a database, or your own app via the Apify API. **Is the data structured?** Yes. Every youtube result is a clean, flat JSON record you can use immediately. # Actor input Schema ## `searchTerms` (type: `array`): Keywords to search YouTube for videos. ## `videoUrls` (type: `array`): YouTube video URLs or IDs for detailed data (watch?v=..., youtu.be/..., or 11-char ID). ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum videos to scrape per search term (paginates automatically). ## `minViews` (type: `integer`): Skip videos below this view count. Leave empty for no filter. ## `maxCostUsd` (type: `integer`): HARD budget cap. The run stops cleanly with partial data before exceeding this. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Residential proxy recommended for reliability at scale. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchTerms": [ "python tutorial" ], "videoUrls": [], "maxResults": 40, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchTerms": [ "python tutorial" ], "videoUrls": [], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("chrisp1211/youtube-scraper-max").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchTerms": ["python tutorial"], "videoUrls": [], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": True, "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"], }, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("chrisp1211/youtube-scraper-max").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchTerms": [ "python tutorial" ], "videoUrls": [], "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } }' | apify call chrisp1211/youtube-scraper-max --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=chrisp1211/youtube-scraper-max", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "YouTube Video Scraper - Search, Views & Metadata", "description": "Scrape YouTube videos by search term or channel. Returns title, views, channel, published date, duration and video URL with pagination. No API key. Pay only per video; empty or failed runs cost nothing.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "ZufYvcUKUV8vKXgNQ" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/chrisp1211~youtube-scraper-max/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-chrisp1211-youtube-scraper-max", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/chrisp1211~youtube-scraper-max/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-chrisp1211-youtube-scraper-max", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/chrisp1211~youtube-scraper-max/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-chrisp1211-youtube-scraper-max", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchTerms": { "title": "Search terms", "type": "array", "description": "Keywords to search YouTube for videos.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "videoUrls": { "title": "Video URLs or IDs", "type": "array", "description": "YouTube video URLs or IDs for detailed data (watch?v=..., youtu.be/..., or 11-char ID).", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max results per search", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 2000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum videos to scrape per search term (paginates automatically).", "default": 40 }, "minViews": { "title": "Minimum views", "type": "integer", "description": "Skip videos below this view count. Leave empty for no filter." }, "maxCostUsd": { "title": "Max cost per run (USD)", "minimum": 1, "type": "integer", "description": "HARD budget cap. The run stops cleanly with partial data before exceeding this." }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy", "type": "object", "description": "Residential proxy recommended for reliability at scale.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": [ "RESIDENTIAL" ] } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```