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.

Honest status

YouTube is live on PostWire. Connect with Google OAuth and PostWire uploads the video in resumable 32MB chunks, with an SEO title, description and tags written for YouTube specifically rather than reused from your other captions.

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: per connected account

Running 50 brands on Ayrshare costs roughly $299 — and its MCP is docs-only, so an agent can't actually post. See PostWire vs Ayrshare.

FAQ

Does YouTube have an API?

Yes, the YouTube Data API v3. Uploading needs OAuth with the youtube.upload scope and, for a public app, Google's verification review. Access tokens last one hour, so silent refresh is mandatory.

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-account 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.