🔹 Step 1 — Sign in to Google
Sign in with the Gmail or Google account that will own your API key and Cloud project.
🔹 Step 2 — Open Google Cloud Console
Visit console.cloud.google.com. Accept the Terms of Service and choose your country when prompted.
🔹 Step 3 — Create or Select a Project
Use the top project selector → New Project. Name it (for example BT Media) → click Create, then select it.
🔹 Step 4 — Enable YouTube Data API v3
Go to APIs & Services → Library. Find YouTube Data API v3 and click Enable.
🔹 Step 5 — Create Your API Key
Open APIs & Services → Credentials → Create credentials → API key. Copy the key displayed on screen.
🔹 Step 6 — Secure Your API Key
Click your key name → Key restrictions and set:
- Application restrictions: limit to HTTP referrers (your domains) or Android/iOS apps.
- API restrictions: allow only YouTube Data API v3.
Save changes. Rotate the key if it ever becomes public.
🔹 Step 7 — Test Your Key
Verify your API key works with curl or JavaScript:
# cURL example
curl -G "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/search" \
--data-urlencode "part=snippet" \
--data-urlencode "q=music" \
--data-urlencode "type=video" \
--data-urlencode "maxResults=3" \
--data-urlencode "key=YOUR_API_KEY"
// JavaScript example
async function testYouTube(){
const q=new URLSearchParams({part:'snippet',q:'music',type:'video',maxResults:'3',key:'YOUR_API_KEY'});
const r=await fetch('https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/search?'+q);
console.log(await r.json());
}
testYouTube();
If you see items[] in the JSON response, your key works.
Errors mean the API isn’t enabled or restrictions are too strict.