Learn how to generate a YouTube API key for seamless website integration. Follow our simple steps to connect your website with YouTube data.

Curious how to integrate YouTube features into your website?

YouTube API Keys let you fetch data from the platform to analyze it for trends or display it on your website.

Adding YouTube features to your website can boost site engagement and enhance SEO performance, helping you rank higher in search.

This article outlines how to integrate YouTube into your website using the API key method, including tips for troubleshooting common embedding issues.

Need a quick solution to display YouTube data on your website?

Our SociableKIT widget lets you embed a YouTube feed anywhere on your website. We also offer flexible packages to help businesses of all sizes, including personal website owners, access our premium widget features. Visit our pricing page and pick a plan that fits your website needs!

Create a SociableKIT widget and embed YouTube feeds on your website.

What is a YouTube API Key?

The best way to explain a YouTube API Key is by first defining what is an API. The YouTube API is a software application provided by Google that lets you link YouTube to other platforms, such as a website or SaaS product.

An API Key is a secret identifier used to authenticate developers or programs, authorizing access to YouTube data.

Following authentication, your website or system can send requests and receive data from YouTube. You can use the requested data for analytics and forecasting or display it on your website to boost engagement.

Tablet showing news content as a man reads it, coffee cup beside him.

Key Features of YouTube API for Embedding and Customization

Below are the core features of the YouTube API that you can integrate into your website:

  • YouTube Playlists: You can create new YouTube playlists or add and remove videos from a playlist from connected platforms.
  • Search Function: Lets you search for content and set filters to refine results from your website or app.
  • Members List: You can create an exclusive members list and send requests to subscribers from your website.
  • Video Uploads: You can upload videos directly from your website or app to your YouTube channel.
  • YouTube Subscriptions: Lets you subscribe to other channels without opening your YouTube app.
  • Anti-Spam: Lets you mark comments that breach YouTube community guidelines as spam, and hide them from other users.
  • YouTube Channel: You can request data about a specific channel, including its videos, playlists, and comment section.
  • Watermark Editor: Lets you remove watermarks linked to specific YouTube channels.
Man using smartphone at a modern workspace with desktop computer and multiple gadgets.

How to Generate a YouTube API Key

Follow these steps to create a YouTube API Key:

  1. Sign in to your Google Developers portal or create an account.
  2. Create a new project or select to modify an existing one.
  3. Go to the project dashboard and select Enable APIs. Alternatively, you can go to the API Library, select YouTube Data API v3, and click Enable.
  4. Wait for your dashboard to reload, and you’ll see an option to Create Credentials.
  5. Provide the requested information and click to see the credentials you need.
  6. Copy the generated API Key and click Done to finish the process.
Laptop screen displaying code with a Trello board on a second monitor in a workspace.

How to Embed YouTube Video on Website Using API

Below is a detailed guide for embedding a YouTube video on your website using the API method:

  1. Go to the YouTube Data API dashboard and click on the Reference tab.
  2. Scroll through the Overview menu on the left and select the Videos option.
  3. Under Videos, select the list option to see common use cases supported by the YouTube API. This also opens an API Explorer on the right side of the screen.
  4. Select the type of embed you want based on the available options: list (by video ID), list (multiple video IDs), list (most popular videos), or list (my liked videos).
  5. Go to YouTube, find the video(s) you want to embed, and copy the video ID.
  6. Paste the video ID in the API Explorer and click on Execute.
  7. The API Explorer will generate various embed scripts for fetching and displaying YouTube data on your website.
  8. Log in to your code editor.
  9. Create a JavaScript file and write a code to fetch the YouTube data. The fetch URL should be the HTTPS code generated by the API Explorer.
  10. Replace the API Key placeholder in the HTTPS code with the one you generated from your Google Developer platform.
  11. Next, open an HTML page where you want to embed the YouTube video(s).
  12. Add a ‘script-src’ property to reference the external JavaScript file you just created.
  13. Save the changes and reload the page.
An individual busy using her cellphone while a laptop is on the table.

How to Embed Different Types of YouTube Content

Here’s a step-by-step guide for embedding any type of YouTube content on your website:

  1. Go to YouTube and find the content you want to embed.
  2. Click on the Share icon and select the Embed option.
  3. Edit the embed code to customize the feed and features, including autoplay, picture-in-picture mode, and whether to show player controls.
  4. Copy the embed code.
  5. Log in to your website admin panel and open the HTML page where you want the embed to appear.
  6. Paste the code you copied from YouTube and save the changes.
Laptop screen displaying the YouTube homepage with recommended videos in a dark-themed interface.

How to Embed YouTube Livestream on a Website

Here’s how to embed a YouTube live stream on a website:

  • On YouTube, search the live stream you want to embed.
  • Choose to share the live stream and select the embed option.
  • Copy the embed code and paste it into your website on the page where you want the feed to appear.
  • Save the changes and reload the page.

Can You Embed YouTube Shorts on Website?

Yes, you can embed YouTube Shorts on your website. However, unlike other content types, YouTube does not provide an embed code for YouTube Shorts.

Our SociableKIT widget provides a no-code solution for placing YouTube Short(s) anywhere on your website. Here’s how to do it:

  • Sign up for SociableKIT and create a YouTube Shorts widget.
  • Provide the YouTube channel ID (for multiple Shorts) or Short ID (single video).
  • Customize how the website widget will appear on your site.
  • Click Embed On Website and copy the script from the YouTube Shorts embed code generator.
  • Go to your website admin panel and open the page where you want to add the YouTube Short(s).
  • Paste the embed code and save the changes.

Can You Embed a YouTube Channel into a Website?

Like with Shorts, YouTube doesn’t provide an embed code for adding a YouTube Channel to your website. SociableKIT remains the best way to embed a YouTube channel into your website.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps:

  • Create a SociableKIT YouTube Channel widget.
  • Find the YouTube channel ID and add it as the data source.
  • Personalize the widget and generate the embed code.
  • Copy the embed code and paste it into your website where you want the feed to appear.
Close-up of a laptop screen displaying the YouTube homepage in dark mode.

Ways to Troubleshoot Common Integration Issues

Below are common integration issues when embedding YouTube content using API and how to troubleshoot them: 

API Script Not Loaded

Omitting the JavaScript file in your HTML code results in the YouTube feed not appearing on your website. This differs from using the wrong data source where the embed appears but is faulty.

Include a ‘script-src’ in the HTML page linking to an external JavaScript source or YouTube.

CORS Issues

Cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) allows various web applications to exchange resources.

However, API restrictions can limit data sharing, blocking your website from fetching YouTube data.

Check your API Key restrictions, including updating the authorized domains.

Embed Dimension Issues

The embedded player might be excessively small or big, clashing with your website layout. Adjust the embed’s dimensions before copying the code on Google’s API Explorer. 

Alternatively, you can define video dimensions in the JavaScript file before saving the file.

API Quota Restrictions

YouTube often rejects API requests above the allowed quota.

As such, Google might deny a request to load YouTube videos on your website until the quota resets.

Wait until midnight (Pacific Standard Time) for the quota limit to reset and make your API request.

Missing or Incorrect Parameters

Providing the wrong data source often leads to a faulty embed or the wrong feed getting displayed. 

Find the correct playlist ID on YouTube, YouTube Channel ID, or video ID, and redo the integration process.

If the code is correct, you only need to correct the parameters on your JavaScript file.

Embedding a YouTube feed on your website using our SociableKIT widget simplifies the integration process, mitigating most embedding issues. Our widget also lets you customize how the feed appears on your website without altering the CSS file.

Create a SociableKIT widget and streamline your website YouTube integration!

A laptop with a planner and a mouse on a white desk.

Tips to Manage YouTube API Key Securely

Use these proven methods to bolster your API Key security:

  • Apply Restrictions: Specify which websites, apps, or tools can use the API Keys to request data access.
  • Replace Your API Keys Regularly: Delete your Keys periodically and create new ones to minimize risk should the old keys be compromised.
  • Remove Unused Keys: Delete any API Keys you don’t need to mitigate exposure to attacks or data breaches.
  • Do Not Include the Keys in Third-Party Platforms: If you are a developer, avoid adding the API Keys to your clients’ code or storing them in a repository. Instead, configure the clients’ systems to make requests through the server to mask the API Keys.
  • Monitor Usage: Leverage Cloud Monitoring and Logging to track how and where your API Keys are used.
Person using laptop on wooden table with smartphone and tablet beside.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Here are answers to common questions people ask about YouTube feed integration using the API method:

What Permissions Are Required to Access YouTube Data with an API Key?

The permissions required depend on the YouTube data you want to access, as highlighted below:

  • Public Data: API Keys can access public data like video titles, descriptions, subscriber counts, and views without additional permissions.
  • Private Data: You need OAuth 2.0 authentication to access restricted data like private playlists and videos or manage a YouTube channel on behalf of the profile owner.

How Can Developers Use the YouTube API Key?

Developers can use YouTube API Keys to authenticate requests for YouTube data.

Following authentication, they can send API requests to YouTube without seeking additional authorization.

Is It Safe to Share Your YouTube API Key?

No. Sharing your YouTube API Key is unsafe, as it can expose your website or app to unauthorized data access and attacks.

Conclusion

YouTube API Keys let you fetch data from YouTube and display the results as a feed on your website or app. However, you must be a proficient web developer who can use API Keys to integrate the two platforms.

In contrast, our SociableKIT widget simplifies the embedding process, allowing you to showcase YouTube videos on your website without writing any code. You can also style the YouTube feed to make your website unique.

Create a SociableKIT widget and be among thousands of owners who use our widget to display YouTube videos on their websites!

Most viewed tutorials