One API Call to Upload on YouTube

The YouTube Data API v3 requires Google Cloud project setup, complex resumable uploads, and strict quota limits that cost real money to exceed. RelayAPI handles OAuth, rate limits, media hosting, and API changes.

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POST /v1/posts
const res = await fetch("https:">//api.relayapi.dev/v1/posts", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    Authorization: "Bearer rlay_live_xxxx",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    content: "Check out our latest update!",
    platforms: ["youtube"],
    media: ["https:">//cdn.example.com/image.jpg"],
  }),
});

YouTube Data API v3

  • Google Cloud project setup with OAuth consent screen, API enablement, and quota requests is complex and time-consuming
  • Video uploads use resumable upload protocol with chunk management, progress tracking, and failure recovery
  • Default API quota is 10,000 units/day -- a single video upload costs 1,600 units, allowing only ~6 uploads per day
  • Thumbnail uploads, captions, and playlist management each require separate API calls with different endpoints
  • YouTube Shorts require specific aspect ratios and duration limits but use the same upload endpoint with metadata flags

RelayAPI

  • RelayAPI handles Google Cloud configuration, OAuth setup, and quota management so you can focus on your content
  • Upload videos with a single API call -- we manage resumable uploads, chunk management, and automatic retry on failure
  • Our quota optimization minimizes API unit usage per operation and pools quota across operations intelligently
  • Set thumbnails, captions, and playlist assignments in the same request as your video upload
  • Shorts are handled automatically -- we detect vertical video, set the correct metadata, and add the #Shorts tag
Save 4+ hours of development time

YouTube Channel Required

Publishing via the YouTube Data API requires a YouTube channel linked to your Google account. Brand Accounts provide better team management. API quota limits apply and may require a quota increase request.

Supported content types

VideosShortsCommunity Posts

How it works

1

Connect your account

Authorize your YouTube account via OAuth in about 30 seconds.

2

Build your integration

Use the REST API or our SDKs to publish content from your stack.

3

We handle the rest

RelayAPI manages publishing, rate limits, and delivery notifications.

Ship Faster

Upload YouTube videos with a single API call. No resumable upload protocol, no chunk management, no separate thumbnail/caption requests. Send your video file and metadata, we handle the pipeline.

Official API, Zero Hassle

RelayAPI uses the official YouTube Data API v3. Your videos are published natively with full YouTube features (monetization, analytics, captions), while we handle Google Cloud setup and quota management.

Quota-Optimized Uploads

YouTube's 10,000 units/day quota is severely limiting. RelayAPI optimizes API unit usage, batches metadata operations, and manages quota budgets so you can upload more videos without hitting limits.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a YouTube Brand Account?

You need a YouTube channel, which can be on a personal Google account or a Brand Account. Brand Accounts are recommended for team management and organization. RelayAPI supports both account types.

What content types can I publish to YouTube through RelayAPI?

RelayAPI supports standard video uploads, YouTube Shorts (vertical, under 60 seconds), and Community Posts (text, images, polls for eligible channels). Thumbnails and captions can be set in the same request.

How does RelayAPI handle YouTube's quota limits?

YouTube's default quota is 10,000 units/day. A video upload costs 1,600 units. RelayAPI optimizes unit usage by batching operations and provides quota monitoring. If you need higher limits, we guide you through Google's quota increase request process.

Can I upload YouTube Shorts through RelayAPI?

Yes. Upload vertical video (9:16 aspect ratio, under 60 seconds) and RelayAPI automatically flags it as a Short, adds appropriate metadata, and ensures it appears in the Shorts shelf.

Can I schedule YouTube video publishes?

Yes. You can upload videos as private or unlisted with a scheduled publish time. RelayAPI sets the appropriate privacy status and scheduled publish timestamp using YouTube's native scheduling feature.

Start building with YouTube.

Join developers who chose RelayAPI over wiring up YouTube Data API v3 by hand.