YouTube Channel ID Extractor

Resolves public YouTube channel identities from handles, channel IDs, canonical channel URLs, legacy /user/ URLs, or public video URLs. Video references are followed to the public owner channel. The actor does not use sign-in or private profile fields.

Input

{
  "channelUrls": [
    "@GoogleDevelopers",
    "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"
  ],
  "maxItems": 2
}

Use references that identify a public channel or video. Watch, short, embed, live, and youtu.be video links resolve to their public owner channel. Bare display names and search phrases are rejected. maxItems accepts 1–200. Direct browsing is the default; explicitly select a residential proxy only when YouTube rate-limits the run location.

Output

Rows use recordType: "youtube_channel_identity" and include originalInput, channelId, canonicalUrl, channelName, source URL, resolution method, and scrape time. Public avatar, description, displayed subscriber text, verification, links, and provenance are included when exposed.

Example:

{
  "recordType": "youtube_channel_identity",
  "originalInput": "@GoogleDevelopers",
  "channelId": "UC_x5XG1OV2P6uZZ5FSM9Ttw",
  "channelName": "Google for Developers",
  "channelHandle": "@GoogleDevelopers",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/@GoogleDevelopers",
  "resolutionMethod": "handle",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/@GoogleDevelopers",
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-16T10:00:00.000Z"
}

Cost and limits

One or two public page requests may be made per reference, depending on whether a video owner must be resolved. Browser retries and optional proxy settings affect runtime.

Tips

• Keep channelId as the stable identity key.
• Use resolutionMethod and provenance to audit how an identity was resolved.
• Duplicate channel IDs and input references are skipped.

FAQ

Does it reveal private emails or hidden contact data? No. Only public page identity metadata is returned.

Why did the run fail? The actor fails when no complete public channel identity can be resolved.

Where are results stored? In the default Apify dataset.

Disclaimer

Use the data responsibly and follow YouTube terms, robots guidance, and applicable law. This actor is not affiliated with YouTube.