Post to YouTube via API: the YouTube Data API v3, handled for you (2026)

How YouTube posting works

Uploading to YouTube uses the YouTube Data API v3 with Google OAuth (the youtube.upload scope) and a resumable upload. Apps using sensitive scopes go through Google's verification; until verified, uploads are forced to private.

PostWire manages the Google OAuth, token refresh and resumable upload, so you publish a video with a single call.

Smart Distribute: an SEO-optimized title, description and tags

PostWire's Smart Distribute turns a single prompt (plus optional media) into the best native post for every network — never the same text everywhere, which every algorithm penalizes. For YouTube it auto-writes an SEO-optimized title, description and tags built for search and discovery, while it simultaneously reframes the same idea for TikTok, X, LinkedIn and the rest. AI generation is included free on every plan (you pay for brands, not per post) and is one MCP tool (generate_posts) or one REST call (POST /api/generate).

Honest status

YouTube is in platform review at PostWire (June 2026), pending Google verification. The endpoint and MCP tool are already built. Bluesky, Telegram, Mastodon and Discord are live today.

1. Connect a YouTube account (OAuth)

YouTube uses OAuth, not a password. Your user connects in the dashboard, or you generate the authorization URL via the API:

curl -X POST https://postwire.io/api/oauth/youtube/url \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTWIRE_API_KEY"
# -> { "url": "https://.../oauth/authorize?..." }
# The user opens the URL, approves, and PostWire stores the token (and refreshes it for you).

2. Publish with one REST call

Once connected, posting is a single request. Add more networks by putting more strings in platforms.

curl -X POST https://postwire.io/api/post \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTWIRE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"platforms":["youtube"],"video_url":"https://cdn.example.com/clip.mp4","title":"My video title","text":"Description here"}'

3. Or let an AI agent post it (MCP)

PostWire ships a first-class MCP server — not docs-only. Add it to any MCP client:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postwire": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "postwire-mcp"],
      "env": { "POSTWIRE_API_KEY": "pw_live_xxx" }
    }
  }
}

Then the agent just calls the tool:

{
  "name": "post_to_social",
  "arguments": { "platforms": ["youtube"], "video_url": "https://cdn.example.com/clip.mp4", "title": "My title", "text": "Description" }
}

YouTube via API: build it yourself vs PostWire

Pricing: flat per brand

Running 50 brands on Ayrshare costs roughly $779 — and its MCP is docs-only, so an agent can't actually post. See PostWire vs Ayrshare.

FAQ

Can I post to YouTube via API?

Yes. The YouTube Data API v3 lets you upload videos to your channel using Google OAuth with the youtube.upload scope. PostWire handles the OAuth, token refresh and resumable upload behind one REST call and one MCP tool.

Does the YouTube API require Google verification?

Yes. The youtube.upload scope is sensitive, so the app goes through Google's OAuth verification. Until verified, uploads are forced to private. PostWire handles this verification for you.

Is YouTube live on PostWire yet?

Not yet — as of June 2026 YouTube is in platform review at PostWire pending Google verification. The integration is built and will be a one-line change when ready. Bluesky, Telegram, Mastodon and Discord are live now.

How does an AI agent post to YouTube?

PostWire ships an MCP server (postwire-mcp). The agent calls post_to_social with platforms set to youtube, a video_url, a title and text (description). PostWire performs the resumable upload and returns the video result.

How much does posting to YouTube cost?

Flat per-brand pricing: Free $0 (1 brand, 30 posts), Starter $9, Pro $29, Agency $99 for 50 brands, Scale $299. YouTube is included on every paid plan once it leaves review.

How do I upload to YouTube via API?

PostWire uploads through the YouTube Data API and, with Smart Distribute, auto-writes an SEO title, description and tags.

Can I post a Short and a long-form video?

Yes, via the same API.