| name | youtube-analytics |
| description | Analyze YouTube channel and video performance using the YouTube Data API. Use when the user says "YouTube analytics", "check my channel", "video performance", "YouTube stats", "channel analysis", "compare YouTube channels", "YouTube SEO", or asks about YouTube metrics, views, subscribers, or content performance. |
YouTube Analytics Skill
You are a YouTube analytics and strategy expert. Use the YouTube Data API v3 to analyze channels, videos, and search trends to provide actionable insights.
Prerequisites
This skill requires YOUTUBE_API_KEY. Check for it in environment variables or ~/.claude/.env.global. If not found, inform the user:
This skill requires a YouTube Data API v3 key. Set it via:
export YOUTUBE_API_KEY=your_key_here
Or add it to ~/.claude/.env.global
Get your API key at: https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials
Enable "YouTube Data API v3" in your Google Cloud project.
API Reference
Base URL: https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3
Channel Analysis
Get channel by username or handle:
curl -s "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=snippet,statistics,contentDetails,brandingSettings&forHandle=@{handle}&key=${YOUTUBE_API_KEY}"
Get channel by ID:
curl -s "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=snippet,statistics,contentDetails&id={channelId}&key=${YOUTUBE_API_KEY}"
Key metrics returned:
statistics.viewCount — Total channel viewsstatistics.subscriberCount — Subscriber countstatistics.videoCount — Total videos publishedcontentDetails.relatedPlaylists.uploads — Upload playlist ID (use to list all videos)
List Channel Videos
Get uploads playlist:
curl -s "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/playlistItems?part=snippet,contentDetails&playlistId={uploadsPlaylistId}&maxResults=50&key=${YOUTUBE_API_KEY}"
Video Performance
Get video statistics:
curl -s "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/videos?part=snippet,statistics,contentDetails&id={videoId1},{videoId2}&key=${YOUTUBE_API_KEY}"
Key metrics:
statistics.viewCount — Viewsstatistics.likeCount — Likesstatistics.commentCount — CommentscontentDetails.duration — Video length (ISO 8601 format)snippet.publishedAt — Publish datesnippet.tags — Video tags
Search
Search videos by keyword:
curl -s "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/search?part=snippet&q={keyword}&type=video&maxResults=10&order=relevance&key=${YOUTUBE_API_KEY}"
Search with filters:
order=viewCount — Most viewedorder=date — Most recentorder=rating — Highest ratedpublishedAfter=2026-01-01T00:00:00Z — Filter by datevideoDuration=short|medium|long — Filter by lengthregionCode=US — Filter by region
Analysis Process
Step 1: Channel Overview
Pull channel data and compute:
| Metric | Calculation |
|---|
| Avg views per video | Total views / video count |
| Upload frequency | Videos per week/month (from recent 50 uploads) |
| Subscriber-to-view ratio | Avg views / subscriber count |
| Engagement rate | (Likes + Comments) / Views × 100 |
Step 2: Top Performing Content
List the last 50 videos and sort by:
- View count (absolute performance)
- Views per day since publish (velocity)
- Engagement rate (likes + comments / views)
- Like-to-view ratio
Identify patterns in top performers:
- Common topics or keywords
- Video length sweet spot
- Thumbnail style (from title patterns)
- Posting day and time
Step 3: Content Gaps
Search for the channel's core keywords and compare:
- What top-ranking videos cover vs. what this channel has
- Competitor channels ranking for the same keywords
- Trending topics the channel hasn't addressed
Step 4: YouTube SEO Analysis
For each video analyzed, check:
| Element | Best Practice | Score |
|---|
| Title | Keyword in first 60 chars, compelling, <70 chars | ✓/✗ |
| Description | 200+ words, keyword in first 2 lines, links, timestamps | ✓/✗ |
| Tags | 5-15 relevant tags, mix of broad and specific | ✓/✗ |
| Thumbnail | (Cannot check via API — note this) | N/A |
| End screens | (Cannot check via API — note this) | N/A |
Output Format
# YouTube Channel Analysis: {Channel Name}
**Date:** {date}
**Subscribers:** {count}
**Total Views:** {count}
**Videos:** {count}
**Channel Age:** {years/months}
## Performance Overview
| Metric | Value | Benchmark |
|--------|-------|-----------|
| Avg views/video | {count} | {niche avg if known} |
| Upload frequency | {X}/week | 1-3/week recommended |
| Engagement rate | {X}% | 3-7% is good |
| Sub-to-view ratio | {X}% | >10% is healthy |
## Top 10 Videos by Views
| # | Title | Views | Likes | Comments | Published | Engagement |
|---|-------|-------|-------|----------|-----------|------------|
| 1 | {title} | {views} | {likes} | {comments} | {date} | {rate}% |
## Content Patterns
### What Works
- {Pattern 1: topic/format that consistently performs}
- {Pattern 2}
### Underperforming
- {Pattern that gets below-average views}
## SEO Opportunities
| Keyword | Search Volume | Competition | Channel Coverage |
|---------|--------------|-------------|-----------------|
| {keyword} | {if available} | {high/med/low} | {has video / missing} |
## Recommendations
1. **{Recommendation}** — {Why and expected impact}
2. **{Recommendation}** — {Why and expected impact}
3. **{Recommendation}** — {Why and expected impact}
Channel Comparison
When comparing channels, present:
## Channel Comparison
| Metric | {Channel A} | {Channel B} | {Channel C} |
|--------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| Subscribers | {count} | {count} | {count} |
| Total views | {count} | {count} | {count} |
| Videos | {count} | {count} | {count} |
| Avg views/video | {count} | {count} | {count} |
| Upload frequency | {X}/week | {X}/week | {X}/week |
| Top video views | {count} | {count} | {count} |
Important Notes
- The YouTube Data API has a daily quota of 10,000 units. Each search costs 100 units. Each video/channel lookup costs 1-3 units. Be efficient with API calls.
- Batch video IDs in single requests (up to 50 per call) to conserve quota.
- Subscriber counts below 1,000 are hidden by YouTube. The API returns 0 in these cases.
likeCount may not be available if the creator has hidden likes.- API results are public data only. For private analytics (watch time, CTR, audience retention), the channel owner needs YouTube Studio or YouTube Analytics API with OAuth.
