YouTube MCP Server
YouTube video search and transcript extraction for AI-powered content analysis.
Data last scanned yesterday · Reviewed last month
Overview
This MCP server enables AI assistants like Claude Desktop to interface directly with the YouTube Data API. It provides tools to perform targeted video searches based on custom queries and retrieve full text transcripts with timestamps for deeper content analysis.
Our verdict
This server carries a high risk level with a security score of 10/100. The codebase has not been updated in over a year, and the lack of a defined license creates significant legal uncertainty for users. Given the combination of long-term abandonment and lack of oversight, it is recommended only for experimental use in isolated environments.
- Zero direct dependencies minimize supply-chain complexity
- Includes built-in AI prompt templates for content analysis
- Provides documented functionality for extracting video transcripts
- High security risk due to lack of recent maintenance
- Unclear usage rights resulting from the absence of a license
- Single contributor increases long-term project support risk
Tools
| Tool | Description | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| search_youtube_videos | Search YouTube for videos based on a query | low |
| get_youtube_transcript | Extract transcript from a YouTube video | low |
| analyze_youtube_content_prompt | AI prompt template for comprehensive YouTube content analysis | low |
Compatibility
| Client | Local | Docker | Remote | Read-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | ||||
| Claude Desktop | ||||
| Cursor | ||||
| VS Code | ||||
| Windsurf |
Frequently asked questions
›What prerequisites are needed to run the YouTube MCP server?
You need a YouTube Data API v3 key from the Google Cloud Console and a Python environment with the required dependencies installed via pip.
›Are there limits on the number of videos I can search for at once?
Yes, you can request up to 50 videos per search, with a default return count of 5 videos.
›Can the server retrieve transcripts for all YouTube videos?
The server includes error handling for videos where transcripts are missing or unavailable.
›How does the server manage YouTube API usage?
The server is designed to respect YouTube API quotas and rate limits during operation.
›What should I do if the YOUTUBE_API_KEY is missing?
The server will display a warning if the key is missing, and search functionality will be restricted.
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