# YouTube Shorts Comments Scraper (`maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper`) Actor

Extract public comments from the YouTube Shorts URLs you provide. Get comment text, author details, publication time, likes, and Short context in structured dataset rows.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Maxime Dupré](https://apify.com/maximedupre) (community)
- **Categories:** Social media, Marketing, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

$0.45 / 1,000 short comments

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/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
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.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## 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.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

### 💬 Read public YouTube Shorts comments

For creators, marketers, researchers, and developers who already have public YouTube Shorts URLs, this Actor collects public comment rows. Each row keeps the comment text, author, publication time, likes, and source Short context so you can review audience feedback or use the data in another workflow.

- Collect public comment text with **[YouTube Shorts Comments Extractor](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper/examples/youtube-shorts-comments-extractor)**.
- Review comment authors and likes with **[YouTube Shorts Comment Extractor](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper/examples/youtube-shorts-comment-extractor)**.
- Save Short comment rows for analysis with **[Scrape YouTube Shorts Comments](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper/examples/scrape-youtube-shorts-comments)**.
- Inspect comments attached to one Short with **[YouTube Short Comments Scraper](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper/examples/youtube-short-comments-scraper)**.
- Build a structured comment list with **[YouTube Shorts Comment Scraper](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper/examples/youtube-shorts-comment-scraper)**.

#### 📦 Comment rows with Short context

**What you receive**

The Actor saves flat dataset rows for public comments found on the submitted Shorts. Rows can include the Short URL, title, channel, publication and engagement counts, thumbnail, music or audio details, tags, comment text, author, publication time, likes, reply count, and creator-heart status when YouTube provides them. Use the rows for audience review, content research, or your own analysis.

The Actor does not search YouTube by keyword, hashtag, channel, or playlist. It works from the public Shorts URLs you submit. Private, removed, or unavailable comments are not part of the public source data. It returns reply counts when available, not full reply threads, and it does not create a sentiment summary or monitor changes between runs.

When the same source comment appears more than once, the first eligible occurrence is saved. Later matches are ignored, so the saved row describes the first match only.

#### ▶️ Check comments from known Shorts

1. **Add targets.** Enter public YouTube Shorts URLs in `shortsUrls`.
2. **Choose an order.** Set `commentOrder` to `top` or `newest`.
3. **Set the work limit.** Enter `maxComments` to cap comments for each Short, or leave it empty to return all available comments until the source is exhausted.
4. **Start the run.** Open the dataset link in the run output when it finishes.

The Actor reads public source data and does not ask for a YouTube login, cookies, or an API key.

#### ⚙️ Input

**Input fields**

| Field | Type | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `shortsUrls` | array of objects | Lists one or more public YouTube Shorts URL entries to use as targets. |
| `shortsUrls[].url` | string | Identifies the public YouTube Short to read. |
| `commentOrder` | string | Chooses the requested comment order: `top` or `newest`. |
| `maxComments` | integer | Sets a positive cap for comments from each Short. Leave it empty to return all available public comments until the source is exhausted. The schema does not set an upper bound. |

Use the public Shorts URL format shown in the example. Optional fields in the output can be absent when YouTube does not expose them.

**Default input**

This is the public input from a successful current-beta default-input run:

```json
{
  "shortsUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/se50viFJ0AQ"
    }
  ],
  "commentOrder": "top",
  "maxComments": 100
}
```

#### 🧾 Output

**Run output link**

| Field | Type | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `datasetUrl` | URL string | Opens the default dataset view with the saved YouTube Shorts comment rows. |

**Saved comment row**

Each saved row uses the same flat field set. Fields described as available are included when the public source provides them.

| Field | Type | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `shortUrl` | URL string | URL of the YouTube Short that contains the comment. |
| `shortTitle` | string | Title of the YouTube Short. |
| `channelName` | string | Name of the channel that published the Short. |
| `channelUrl` | URL string | URL of the publishing channel, when available. |
| `shortPublishedAt` | date-time string | Publication date and time of the Short, when available. |
| `shortViewCount` | integer | Public view count for the Short, when available. |
| `shortLikeCount` | integer | Public like count for the Short, when available. |
| `shortCommentCount` | integer | Total public comment count for the Short, when available. |
| `thumbnailUrl` | URL string | URL of the Short thumbnail, when available. |
| `music` | object | Music or audio details for the Short, when available. |
| `music.title` | string | Title of the music or audio, when available. |
| `music.artist` | string | Artist credited for the music or audio, when available. |
| `music.url` | URL string | URL for the music or audio attribution, when available. |
| `shortTags` | array of strings | Hashtags or keywords associated with the Short, when available. |
| `commentId` | string | Stable source identifier for the comment. |
| `commentText` | string | Text of the public comment. |
| `commentAuthor` | string | Display name of the comment author. |
| `commentAuthorUrl` | URL string | URL of the comment author's channel, when available. |
| `commentPublishedAt` | string | Publication time text shown for the comment, including relative time when provided by the source. |
| `commentLikeCount` | integer | Number of likes for the comment. |
| `commentReplyCount` | integer | Number of replies to the comment, when available. |
| `creatorHearted` | boolean | Whether the Short creator hearted the comment, when available. |

**Example row**

This genuine row came from a successful current-beta run. It is shown as returned.

```json
{
  "shortUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kWfk0EtwNog",
  "shortTitle": "DID YOU LAUGH?🤣#shorts #viralvideo #trendingstatus",
  "channelName": "ROCK SQUAD",
  "channelUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/@THEROCKSQUAD",
  "shortPublishedAt": "2023-02-01T16:59:39.000Z",
  "shortViewCount": 170423819,
  "shortLikeCount": 2305931,
  "shortCommentCount": 11000,
  "thumbnailUrl": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kWfk0EtwNog/maxres2.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEoCIAKENAF8quKqQMcGADwAQH4Ac4FgAKACooCDAgAEAEYMiBQKHIwDw==&rs=AOn4CLDKF5SWwKyTpRc_akNaernW6MMvzg",
  "shortTags": [
    "tiktok",
    "trending",
    "viral",
    "short",
    "shortsfeed",
    "trend",
    "newvideo",
    "barbie"
  ],
  "music": {
    "title": "Barbie Girl",
    "artist": "Aqua - Topic",
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77zog6Up_Yg"
  },
  "commentId": "UgxI8m1C1MS4GIXwP_N4AaABAg",
  "commentText": "CONTEST! Go CMT  “I came from shorts” on our recent long form video where Ryder takes Wednesday on a Date! We will pick 3 winners for Rock Merch and to FaceTime with the squad Oct 10 when we are in Texas! ❤️ PS: make sure you watch the video and comment your favorite part for a bonus entry!",
  "commentAuthor": "@THEROCKSQUAD",
  "commentPublishedAt": "2 years ago",
  "commentLikeCount": 1200,
  "commentAuthorUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/@THEROCKSQUAD",
  "commentReplyCount": 224,
  "creatorHearted": true
}
```

#### 💳 Pricing

This Actor uses pay-per-event pricing. The primary event is one `short-comment-extracted` charge for each public comment saved. The current event price is `$0.00045` per saved comment. See the Pricing tab for the current price before you run it.

#### 🔌 Integrations

Use the dataset link in the run output, the Apify API, or standard dataset exports to move the saved rows into your workflow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNACk1\_S\_6w\&list=PLObrtcm1Kw6MUrlLNDbK9QRg8VDJg0gOW\&index=4

#### ❓ FAQ

##### What does `maxComments` control?

It sets the positive number of comments requested for each Short. The schema does not set an upper bound.

##### What happens when `maxComments` is empty?

The Actor returns all available public comments until the source is exhausted.

##### Can I choose top or newest comments?

Yes. Set `commentOrder` to `top` or `newest` in the input.

##### What if YouTube does not provide a field?

Fields marked as available can be absent from a row when the public source does not expose them. The Actor does not invent missing values.

##### What happens if the same comment is found more than once?

The first eligible occurrence is saved. Later matches for that source comment are ignored, and the saved row describes the first match only.

##### Does the Actor collect reply text?

No. It can return a reply count when available, but full reply text and reply threads are outside this Actor's scope.

##### Does it search YouTube for Shorts?

No. Add the public Shorts URLs you want to read. Keyword, hashtag, channel, and playlist discovery are outside this Actor's scope.

##### Do I need a YouTube login or API key?

No. The Actor reads publicly available Shorts and comments without customer-supplied YouTube credentials.

### 📝 Changelog

**v0.0** (16-09-2026)

- Initial release.

### 🆘 Support

For issues, questions, or feature requests, [file a ticket](https://console.apify.com/actors/maximedupre~youtube-shorts-comments-scraper/issues) and I'll fix or implement it in less than 24h 🫡

### 🔗 Related Actors

- [YouTube Shorts Downloader](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-shorts-downloader): Get source media links and metadata for the same known Shorts.
- [YouTube Description Extractor](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-description-extractor): Review descriptions and links from the same public Shorts URLs.
- [YouTube Tags Extractor](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-tags-extractor): Compare hidden tags and titles for the same public video targets.
- [YouTube Thumbnails](https://apify.com/maximedupre/youtube-thumbnails): Collect thumbnail links and dimensions for visual review.
- [Instagram Reels Comments Scraper](https://apify.com/maximedupre/instagram-reels-comments-scraper): Collect top-level comments from public Instagram Reels when your research spans another short-video source.

**Made with ❤️ by Maxime Dupré**

# Actor input Schema

## `shortsUrls` (type: `array`):

Add one or more YouTube Shorts URLs. Each URL is processed as a separate Short.

## `commentOrder` (type: `string`):

Choose how comments are ordered for each Short.

## `maxComments` (type: `integer`):

Set a positive number to cap comments from each Short. Leave this empty to collect all available public comments until the source is exhausted. The schema does not set an upper bound.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "shortsUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/se50viFJ0AQ"
    }
  ],
  "commentOrder": "top",
  "maxComments": 100
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `datasetUrl` (type: `string`):

Open the dataset with one row for each extracted public comment and its Short context.

# 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 '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "shortsUrls": [
        {
            "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/se50viFJ0AQ"
        }
    ],
    "maxComments": 100
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper").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 '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "shortsUrls": [{ "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/se50viFJ0AQ" }],
    "maxComments": 100,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "shortsUrls": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/shorts/se50viFJ0AQ"
    }
  ],
  "maxComments": 100
}' |
apify call maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,maximedupre/youtube-shorts-comments-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/8p6M4Rup15O1u77wm/builds/vmnfu4kdWO632nAMK/openapi.json