YouTube API Key Setup

YouTube API Key Setup

This page shows how to create a YouTube Data API v3 key and add it to PigeonPod.

What This Page Is For

Use this page when:

• you want to subscribe to YouTube channels or playlists
• feed detection or sync fails because the API key is missing
• you are setting up PigeonPod for the first time

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

• a Google account
• access to Google Cloud Console
• access to your PigeonPod User Settings

Steps

1. Open Google Cloud Console

Go to:

• Google Cloud Console

2. Create or select a project

In the top project selector:

• choose an existing project
• or create a new project for PigeonPod

If you create a new one, give it a clear name so you can recognize it later.

3. Enable YouTube Data API v3

Inside the selected project:

1. Open APIs & Services
2. Open Library
3. Search for YouTube Data API v3
4. Open it
5. Click Enable

4. Create the API key

After enabling the API:

1. Open APIs & Services
2. Open Credentials
3. Click Create Credentials
4. Choose API key

Google will generate a key for you.

5. Copy the key

Copy the generated API key and keep it available for the next step.

Treat it like a secret for your instance. Do not post it publicly.

6. Add the key to PigeonPod

In PigeonPod:

1. Log in
2. Open User Settings
3. Find the YouTube Data API Key field or edit action
4. Paste the key
5. Save

Optional:

• set a daily quota limit if you want PigeonPod to stop auto sync after a defined usage threshold

Verify

After saving the key, verify these checks:

1. Open User Settings again and confirm the key is saved
2. Add or refresh a YouTube feed
3. Confirm PigeonPod can load the source preview
4. Confirm sync no longer fails because of a missing API key

If you manage many YouTube feeds, also check the quota panel in settings to make sure usage is being tracked as expected.

Common Failures

“I added a key, but YouTube feeds still fail”

Check:

• the key was copied correctly
• YouTube Data API v3 is actually enabled in the same Google Cloud project
• you saved the key in the instance you are currently using

“The app says quota is reached”

Check:

• whether the key is shared with other tools or services
• whether your configured daily quota limit is lower than expected

If the quota is already exhausted, auto sync may stop until the quota window resets.

“Channel URL lookup is inaccurate or expensive”

Use a raw channel ID when possible. It is usually more accurate and uses less YouTube API quota than broad URL-based lookup.

Related page:

• Find a YouTube Channel ID

Related Pages

• Quick Start
• Configuration Overview
• Find a YouTube Channel ID
• Troubleshooting