YouTube Shorts upload API
UGC API uploads your vertical videos to YouTube as Shorts. Set a title and privacy level, schedule it, and get the video URL back in a webhook. The same request can also post to TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Updated
What makes a video a Short
There is no separate Shorts endpoint in the YouTube Data API. YouTube treats an upload as a Short based on the video itself. Per YouTube's help center, square or vertical videos up to 3 minutes are categorized as Shorts on standard channels. Make sure your export is 9:16 or 1:1 and under 3 minutes.
Options
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
youtube.title | The video title. YouTube allows up to 100 characters. |
youtube.privacy | public, unlisted or private. |
caption | Becomes the video description, hashtags included. |
scheduled_at | When we upload it. The upload happens at that time, so the video goes live then. |
curl https://ugcapi.dev/v1/posts \
-H "Authorization: Bearer ugc_live_..." \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"accounts": ["acc_yt_01"],
"format": "video",
"media": ["https://cdn.example.com/hook-21.mp4"],
"caption": "The one feature nobody talks about #shorts",
"options": { "youtube": { "title": "The feature nobody talks about", "privacy": "public" } }
}'YouTube quota, explained
Every app that uploads to YouTube runs inside a Google Cloud project with a daily quota. Google's current docs list a default of 100 videos.insert calls per day per project, in a dedicated upload bucket. Higher volume needs a quota extension request and a compliance audit by Google.
If you build this yourself, that quota is the first wall you hit with more than a handful of channels. With UGC API the quota is our problem. We pace uploads, and if YouTube rejects one you get a post.failed webhook with the reason. See limits and our YouTube Shorts upload guide.
Repurposing TikTok videos to Shorts
Most UGC teams post the same clip to TikTok, Reels and Shorts. Upload a clean export without a TikTok watermark, since platforms may show less reach to recycled watermarked content. Our repurposing guide walks through captions, titles and timing per platform.
Connecting a channel
Create a link with POST /v1/accounts/connect and platform: 'youtube'. The creator signs in with Google and picks the channel. The channel then appears in GET /v1/accounts. Full steps are in connect accounts.
Pricing
One Short to one channel is one post credit. 50 free posts, then $10 per 1,000. No per-channel fees. See pricing.
FAQ
Is there a special API parameter to mark a video as a Short?
No. YouTube decides based on the video. Square or vertical videos up to 3 minutes are treated as Shorts on standard channels.
Can I upload as unlisted or private?
Yes. Set youtube.privacy to unlisted or private.
Should I set a YouTube title separately from the caption?
Yes. Set youtube.title to a short, searchable line. The caption becomes the description, where hashtags and longer text fit better.
Do I need my own Google Cloud project and quota?
No. Uploads go through UGC API. You only need the creator to connect their channel.