# 📈 YouTube Channel Analytics Scraper (`taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics`) Actor

Scrape YouTube profiles to track subscriber metrics, total views, recent uploads, and Shorts for competitor benchmarking and content research.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics.md
- **Developed by:** [naoki anzai](https://apify.com/taroyamada) (community)
- **Categories:** Videos, SEO tools, Marketing
- **Stats:** 7 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $8.00 / 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.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#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

## YouTube Channel Analytics API | Channel Metadata, Uploads & Shorts

### Run the next report

Turn this Actor's output into a capped paid report with [YouTube Channel Transcript RAG Intelligence](https://apify.com/taroyamada/youtube-channel-transcript-rag-intelligence?utm_source=apify_internal\&utm_medium=readme_after_run\&utm_campaign=v37_internal_flow\&utm_content=youtube-channel-analytics__youtube-channel-transcript-rag-intelligence).
Use it when AI builders, content teams, and knowledge-base owners need to decide whether a YouTube corpus is clean enough for RAG before building embeddings or a chatbot.

- First report: $9 / `corpus_snapshot_report`; set `maxChargeUsd` to $9.
- Deeper report: $29 / `rag_readiness_report`; use only when the first result needs competitor or action-depth.
- This is an internal Apify flow aid. It is not revenue proof until accounted paid usage appears.

Automate video content research and competitor tracking with a YouTube channel analytics scraper for public channel surfaces. Content strategists, SEO professionals, and digital marketers can use it to collect public metrics without OAuth tokens or YouTube Data API keys.

Skip the manual process of browsing individual YouTube pages to check publishing frequency. You can schedule this tool to pull fresh data from a list of target channel URLs, including public subscriber counts, lifetime views, channel descriptions, and recent long-form uploads or Shorts when YouTube exposes them.

For market research or competitor performance reviews, this tool returns structured public channel data, outbound links exposed on about pages, follower-growth snapshots, and recent upload metadata for downstream dashboards.

### Store Quickstart

```json
{
  "channelUrls": [
    "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
    "@YouTubeCreators"
  ],
  "dryRun": false,
  "maxChargeUsd": 1
}
```

- Start with 1–3 channel URLs or `@handles` and keep `videoLimit` at 8 or below for the first run.
- Leave `includeShorts` on if you care about creator cadence; turn it off when long-form uploads are enough.
- Use dataset delivery first so you can inspect channel-level warnings and resolved content counts.
- After the first useful run, move to the recurring cadence-watch template, then use the webhook handoff template for new-upload alerts.

### What it does

- Accepts YouTube channel URLs (`@handle`, `/channel/`, `/user/`, `/c/`) and bare `@handles`
- Normalizes channel metadata: channel ID, title, canonical URL, subscriber text/count when public, avatar/banner, description/about fields, links, and total public views when exposed
- Resolves recent uploads from the public `videos` tab and optional Shorts from the public `shorts` tab
- Enriches recent items from watch pages with view text, duration, thumbnail, publish/upload dates, and tags/keywords when public
- Produces channel-level rollups such as total resolved items, cadence hints from recent public labels, and explicit availability warnings

### What it cannot do

Because this actor uses public pages only, it cannot provide private YouTube Studio analytics such as watch time, revenue, CTR, impressions, audience demographics, traffic sources, or hidden subscriber counts.

### Use Cases

| Who | Why |
|---|---|
| **Creator teams** | Benchmark publishing cadence, upload mix, and Shorts usage |
| **Brand marketers** | Vet partner channels and content fit without API quota setup |
| **Analysts** | Track recent uploads, tags, and view text at scale |
| **Ecommerce teams** | Pair channel activity with Shopify or app-store signals |

### Input

| Field | Type | Default | Description |
|-------|------|---------|-------------|
| `channelUrls` | string\[] | required | YouTube channel URLs or bare `@handles` |
| `videoLimit` | integer | `8` | Max recent uploads and, when enabled, Shorts to resolve per channel |
| `includeShorts` | boolean | `true` | Also collect the public Shorts tab |
| `timeoutMs` | integer | `20000` | HTTP timeout per public page request |
| `delivery` | string | `"dataset"` | `dataset` or `webhook` |
| `webhookUrl` | string | — | Optional webhook target when `delivery=webhook` |
| `dryRun` | boolean | `false` | Skip dataset/webhook delivery |

### Input Examples

#### Example: Single channel by handle

```json
{
  "channels": [
    "@anthropicai"
  ]
}
```

#### Example: Bulk competitor research

```json
{
  "channels": [
    "@channel1",
    "@channel2",
    "@channel3"
  ],
  "includeUploadCadence": true
}
```

#### Example: Channel ID lookup

```json
{
  "channels": [
    "UCabc123XYZ"
  ],
  "includeRecentVideos": 10
}
```

### Output shape

```jsonc
{
  "meta": {
    "generatedAt": "2025-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
    "implementationStatus": "live",
    "totalSources": 1,
    "totals": {
      "totalResolvedChannels": 1,
      "totalResolvedUploads": 8,
      "totalResolvedShorts": 4,
      "totalResolvedContent": 12,
      "warningCount": 1
    },
    "limits": {
      "recentItemsPerSection": 8,
      "includeShorts": true,
      "timeoutMs": 20000
    },
    "notes": ["..."]
  },
  "channels": [
    {
      "inputUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
      "status": "ok",
      "channel": {
        "channelId": "UC...",
        "title": "Google",
        "handle": "@Google",
        "canonicalUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
        "subscriberCountText": "14.1M subscribers",
        "totalViewCountText": "6,332,598,834 views"
      },
      "recentUploads": [{ "videoId": "...", "title": "...", "viewCountText": "...", "durationText": "...", "keywords": ["..."] }],
      "recentShorts": [{ "videoId": "...", "isShort": true }],
      "rollups": {
        "totalResolvedVideos": 12,
        "recentPostingCadenceHint": "Roughly weekly posting inferred from recent public labels."
      },
      "availability": {
        "videosTab": "ok",
        "shortsTab": "ok",
        "aboutTab": "ok"
      },
      "warnings": []
    }
  ]
}
```

### Status values

- `ok`: all requested public surfaces resolved cleanly
- `partial`: some requested surfaces or item enrichments were unavailable, but useful data was collected
- `missing`: YouTube returned a missing page
- `blocked`: YouTube returned a challenge or block page
- `invalid`: the input was not a supported channel URL or handle
- `error`: no usable public data could be resolved

### Local run

```bash
npm start
npm test
```

Use `input.json` for local runs.

### Related Actors

Pair this actor with other flagship intelligence APIs in the same portfolio:

- [Google Play Intelligence API](https://apify.com/taroyamada/google-play-intelligence) — connect app-market performance and review signals to channel activity.
- [Apple App Store Intelligence API](https://apify.com/taroyamada/apple-app-store-intelligence) — mirror the same workflow for iOS apps and public review feeds.
- [Shopify Store Intelligence API](https://apify.com/taroyamada/shopify-store-intelligence) — pair content cadence with public storefront and catalog changes.
- [Trustpilot Review Intelligence API](https://apify.com/taroyamada/trustpilot-enterprise-review-aggregator) — add brand-reputation context alongside channel output.

### Pricing & Cost Control

Apify Store pricing is usage-based, so total cost mainly follows how many `channelUrls` you analyze and how many recent items you resolve. Check the Store pricing card for the current per-event rates.

- Start with a short `channelUrls` list.
- Keep `videoLimit` low while testing downstream workflows.
- Disable `includeShorts` when you only need long-form uploads.
- Use `dryRun: true` before larger channel batches or webhook delivery.

### ⭐ Was this helpful?

If this actor saved you time, please [**leave a ★ rating**](https://apify.com/taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics/reviews) on Apify Store. It takes 10 seconds, helps other developers discover it, and keeps updates free.

Bug report or feature request? Open an issue on the [Issues tab](https://apify.com/taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics/issues) of this actor.

### Related report Actors

Use these follow-on Actors when you want a capped, decision-ready report instead of more raw rows. They use public or user-provided inputs, respect `maxChargeUsd`, and do not promise rankings, revenue, conversion lifts, or sales outcomes.

- [YouTube Channel Transcript RAG Intelligence](https://apify.com/taroyamada/youtube-channel-transcript-rag-intelligence) - convert public channel/video inputs into corpus-readiness actions.

### Related paid report workflows

If this Actor gave you raw rows or source context, these follow-on report Actors are designed for a small capped paid run. They help make a decision, not just collect more data.

- [YouTube Channel Transcript RAG Intelligence](https://apify.com/taroyamada/youtube-channel-transcript-rag-intelligence) - decide whether a YouTube corpus is clean enough for RAG before building embeddings or a chatbot. Entry $9 / `corpus_snapshot_report`; premium $29 / `rag_readiness_report`.

Keep `maxChargeUsd` equal to the selected tier. Internal links are traffic aids only; real proof requires accounted paid usage.

# Actor input Schema

## `channelUrls` (type: `array`):

One or more YouTube channel URLs or bare @handles.

## `videoLimit` (type: `integer`):

Maximum recent uploads and, when enabled, recent Shorts to resolve per channel.

## `includeShorts` (type: `boolean`):

Also resolve public Shorts from the channel Shorts tab.

## `timeoutMs` (type: `integer`):

HTTP timeout per public page request in milliseconds.

## `delivery` (type: `string`):

Where to send results: dataset or webhook.

## `webhookUrl` (type: `string`):

Webhook URL to POST results to when delivery=webhook.

## `dryRun` (type: `boolean`):

Run without saving rows to the dataset.

## `maxChargeUsd` (type: `number`):

Safety cap for this run. Billable rows beyond this cap are returned as no-charge limit\_reached summaries.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "channelUrls": [
    "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
    "@YouTubeCreators"
  ],
  "videoLimit": 8,
  "includeShorts": true,
  "timeoutMs": 20000,
  "delivery": "dataset",
  "dryRun": false,
  "maxChargeUsd": 1
}
```

# 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 = {
    "channelUrls": [
        "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
        "@YouTubeCreators"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics").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 = { "channelUrls": [
        "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
        "@YouTubeCreators",
    ] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics").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 '{
  "channelUrls": [
    "https://www.youtube.com/@Google",
    "@YouTubeCreators"
  ]
}' |
apify call taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=taroyamada/youtube-channel-analytics",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/AF6OIxMKhhlC2r3Mk/builds/JWZIoaXaUQ7scPHWP/openapi.json