# YouTube Channel Playlists – Titles, Links & Counts (`scrapingmonkey/youtube-channel-playlists-scraper`) Actor

Collect playlists from YouTube channel handles or IDs. Export playlist links, titles, displayed video counts, thumbnails, owner details, and source-channel context with pagination.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/scrapingmonkey/youtube-channel-playlists-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [ScrapingMonkey](https://apify.com/scrapingmonkey) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.00 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
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.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — 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

Find the playlists a YouTube channel exposes on its Playlists tab. **YouTube Channel Playlists Scraper** turns channel handles or IDs into rows of playlist links, titles, displayed video counts, thumbnails, and available owner details.

Set the number of result pages to collect and keep the source channel attached to each playlist. No YouTube account or cookies are required.

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| 📥 Input | Channel handles or UC IDs |
| 📤 Output | Playlist cards, titles, counts, thumbnails, owner details, and source-channel context |
| 🔐 Login required | No |
| 📄 Collection | Configurable result pages per input |
| 💾 Delivery | One row per playlist result, in one table |

### What the YouTube channel playlists scraper collects 🔎

The Actor follows a channel's Playlists tab and returns the playlist entries YouTube exposes there.

- Playlist ID, URL, title, and listing position
- Displayed video count and its numeric interpretation
- Thumbnail URL and image-size variants
- First-video ID when present on the playlist card
- Available playlist-owner identity and avatar details
- Public source-channel identity, counts, branding, and other exposed profile context

Each playlist stays in one row. Its individual videos are not expanded by this Actor.

### How to scrape YouTube channel playlists 🚀

1. Prepare the channel handles or IDs you want to collect.
2. Add them to `inputList`, one value per item.
3. Set `pagesPerInput` and start the Actor.
4. Check `status` and export the fields needed for your workflow.

```json
{
  "inputList": [
    "NASA"
  ],
  "pagesPerInput": 1
}
```

### YouTube channel playlists data fields and output 📦

| Field group | Included data |
| --- | --- |
| Playlist card | ID, URL, title, type, and position |
| Size and preview | Video count, displayed label, first-video ID, and thumbnails |
| Owner | Available channel identity, link, avatar, and verification |
| Source channel | The channel where the playlist was found and exposed public profile context |

Complete illustrative success item. The fictional values below demonstrate the output and are not a live result:

```json
{
  "input": "TrailJournal",
  "status": "success",
  "id": "PLtrailjournalroutes2026",
  "url": "https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtrailjournalroutes2026",
  "type": "playlist",
  "title": "Weekend Trail Guides",
  "thumbnail_url": "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg",
  "thumbnails.url": [
    "https://example.com/trail-small.jpg",
    "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg"
  ],
  "thumbnails.width": [
    160,
    1280
  ],
  "thumbnails.height": [
    90,
    720
  ],
  "videos_count": 25,
  "videos_count_text": "25 videos",
  "first_video_id": "TrailWalk01",
  "author.id": "UCabcdefghijklmnopqrstuv",
  "author.name": "Trail Journal",
  "author.handle": "@TrailJournal",
  "author.url": "https://www.youtube.com/@TrailJournal",
  "author.avatar_url": "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg",
  "author.avatar_thumbnails.url": [
    "https://example.com/trail-small.jpg",
    "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg"
  ],
  "author.avatar_thumbnails.width": [
    160,
    800
  ],
  "author.avatar_thumbnails.height": [
    160,
    800
  ],
  "author.is_verified": false,
  "source_channel.id": "UCabcdefghijklmnopqrstuv",
  "source_channel.handle": "@TrailJournal",
  "source_channel.name": "Trail Journal",
  "source_channel.url": "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabcdefghijklmnopqrstuv",
  "source_channel.canonical_url": "https://www.youtube.com/@TrailJournal",
  "source_channel.vanity_url": "https://www.youtube.com/@TrailJournal",
  "source_channel.description": "Weekend walks, route guides, and quiet places.",
  "source_channel.avatar_url": "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg",
  "source_channel.avatar_thumbnails.url": [
    "https://example.com/trail-small.jpg",
    "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg"
  ],
  "source_channel.avatar_thumbnails.width": [
    160,
    800
  ],
  "source_channel.avatar_thumbnails.height": [
    160,
    800
  ],
  "source_channel.banner_url": "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg",
  "source_channel.banner_thumbnails.url": [
    "https://example.com/trail-small.jpg",
    "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg"
  ],
  "source_channel.banner_thumbnails.width": [
    1060,
    2120
  ],
  "source_channel.banner_thumbnails.height": [
    175,
    350
  ],
  "source_channel.subscribers": 12000,
  "source_channel.subscribers_text": "12K subscribers",
  "source_channel.videos_count": 25,
  "source_channel.videos_count_text": "25 videos",
  "source_channel.views": 500000,
  "source_channel.views_text": "500K views",
  "source_channel.country": "United States",
  "source_channel.joined_date": "Joined Jan 1, 2020",
  "source_channel.keywords": [
    "hiking",
    "trail guides"
  ],
  "source_channel.keywords_raw": "hiking \"trail guides\"",
  "source_channel.external_links.title": [
    "Website"
  ],
  "source_channel.external_links.url": [
    "https://example.com"
  ],
  "source_channel.external_links.display_url": [
    "example.com"
  ],
  "source_channel.external_links.icon_url": [
    "https://example.com/trail-large.jpg"
  ],
  "source_channel.rss_url": "https://www.youtube.com/feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=UCabcdefghijklmnopqrstuv",
  "source_channel.available_countries": [
    "US",
    "GB"
  ],
  "source_channel.is_verified": false,
  "source_channel.is_family_safe": true,
  "source_channel.is_subscriber_count_hidden": false,
  "position": 1
}
```

The table and JSON use the same flat field names, including literal dotted keys. Playlist thumbnails, owner avatars, and source-channel image or external-link fields use aligned lists. The source\_channel fields describe where the playlist was found; author fields describe the owner information on its card when available.

Optional values can be `null`, empty strings, `false`, or empty lists. Missing counts are normally `null`; numeric values parsed from abbreviated labels remain approximate. Failed rows preserve `input` and `status` and set the result-data fields to `null`. `position` is the running order of saved results for that input, not a global ranking.

### Input requirements and coverage ⚙️

| Parameter | Type | Default | Rules |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `inputList` | array of strings | Required | One or more channel handles, with or without @, or UC channel IDs. Full channel URLs are not accepted. No fixed batch-size maximum. |
| `pagesPerInput` | integer | `1` | At least 1; no fixed upper bound. Limits result pages for each input. |

Handles allow 1–100 Unicode word characters, periods, hyphens, or middle dots after an optional @. A channel ID must be UC followed by 22 letters, digits, underscores, or hyphens. Other valid values are treated as handles. Leading and trailing spaces are removed.

YouTube controls page size. Collection stops at the requested page limit or when the list ends, whichever comes first. The initial result page counts as page 1; each continuation uses another page. Repeated items within an input are skipped, but repeating the input itself starts a separate collection.

### YouTube channel playlists use cases 🎯

#### Channel content mapping

Group a creator's public playlists by title, size, and topic to understand how the channel organizes its catalogue.

#### Playlist discovery

Collect playlist URLs from known channels, then pass selected links to the Playlist Details or Playlist Videos Actor.

#### Curation inventories

Build an inventory of series and learning collections exposed on a channel's Playlists tab.

#### Recurring catalogue checks

Compare successive exports to identify newly listed playlists or changes in displayed playlist sizes.

### Pricing and billable playlist rows 💰

Check the Actor's **Pricing** tab for the current pricing model and rate.

Under dataset-item pricing, each saved success or failed row can be billable. Automatic retry attempts do not independently add rows. The number of billable items follows saved results, not requested pages. A collection that ends without results or a failed request can produce a failed row; if a later page fails, earlier saved results remain.

Image variants and other list fields remain in their parent row and do not create separate dataset items.

### YouTube Channel Playlists Scraper API and integrations 🔌

Use the Actor ID from the **API** tab as $ACTOR\_ID and your Apify token as $APIFY\_TOKEN.

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/$ACTOR_ID/runs?token=$APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"inputList":["NASA"],"pagesPerInput":1}'
```

The request starts a run. Retrieve the dataset when it finishes, or use a completion webhook to send results to your application. Apify schedules can repeat collection; exports and integrations support JSON, CSV, Excel, Google Sheets, Make, and Zapier workflows.

### Reliability and limits ⚠️

Up to five requests run concurrently, with automatic retries for temporary failures. Invalid, unavailable, or unresolved inputs are visible as failed rows. YouTube can restrict public access or omit fields.

Only playlists exposed on the channel's Playlists tab are collected. A missing tab or empty accessible list produces a failed row when no results were saved. The tab is not a guarantee of every playlist associated with the owner. Card-level owner details and video counts may be omitted, and source-channel context can be less detailed than a dedicated channel lookup.

Pagination preserves results already saved, but a page limit, inaccessible continuation, or changing source list can leave a partial collection. A completed run does not prove that every historical item was available.

### Frequently asked questions ❓

#### Does it return videos inside each playlist?

No. It returns one playlist card per row. Pass the collected URLs to YouTube Playlist Videos Scraper for entries.

#### How many playlists does one page contain?

YouTube controls page size. pagesPerInput limits result pages, not a fixed number of playlists.

#### Are the source channel and playlist owner always identical?

Do not assume so. source\_channel identifies the channel being browsed, while author reflects the owner details exposed on the playlist card.

#### Will it find private or unlisted playlists?

It collects what the public Playlists tab exposes and does not discover hidden playlists.

#### What happens if a later page fails?

Previously saved playlists remain in the dataset, and the failed request can add a failed row for that input.

### Support, responsible use, and related actors 🛟

For support, share the run ID and a safe public example input through the Actor's support channel. Keep tokens and credentials out of messages.

Use public data and media within the privacy, copyright, and other obligations that apply to your project.

# Actor input Schema

## `inputList` (type: `array`):

Add channel handles or UC channel IDs, one per item. You may include @ before a handle. Do not enter channel links.

## `pagesPerInput` (type: `integer`):

Number of result pages to collect for each input. YouTube controls the page size. Results are saved after each page; collection stops when the list ends. Bootstrap requests do not count as result pages.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "inputList": [
    "NASA"
  ],
  "pagesPerInput": 1
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

Success and failed rows. Check the status column.

# 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 = {
    "inputList": [
        "NASA"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("scrapingmonkey/youtube-channel-playlists-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 = { "inputList": ["NASA"] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("scrapingmonkey/youtube-channel-playlists-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 '{
  "inputList": [
    "NASA"
  ]
}' |
apify call scrapingmonkey/youtube-channel-playlists-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,scrapingmonkey/youtube-channel-playlists-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/gCWLM6rarOciN03qJ/builds/VJrSfYNi0rF0PEW8x/openapi.json