How to get an AI summary of a YouTube video
GET request to /v1/youtube/summarize with your input. You get clean JSON back in seconds for 3 credits per call — no OAuth, scraping or platform SDKs. Turn any YouTube video into an AI summary with key points, topics, and sentiment.How to get an AI summary of a YouTube video (step by step)
- 1
Get a free API key
Create a free Captapi account (100 credits, no card) and generate an API key from the dashboard.
- 2
Call the YouTube Summarizer API
Send an authenticated GET request to /v1/youtube/summarize with your input. No OAuth, no scraping setup.
- 3
Read the JSON response
Parse the clean JSON response. Pass cache=true for a free 24h cache hit; default is always fresh.
Code example
curl "https://api.captapi.com/v1/youtube/summarize?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdQw4w9WgXcQ" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer capt_live_..."
# or: -H "x-api-key: capt_live_..."What the response looks like
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
"videoId": "dQw4w9WgXcQ",
"title": "Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Video) (4K Remaster)",
"summary": "The song 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley is a classic pop anthem that emphasizes unwavering commitment and loyalty in a romantic relationship. The lyrics express a deep emotional connection, highlighting the importance of honesty and trust between partners. Astley reassures his loved one that he will always be there for them, promising never to abandon or hurt them, which resonates with listeners on a personal level.\n\nThis iconic track has gained a cultural significance beyond its initial release, becoming a symbol of internet memes and nostalgia. Its catchy melody and memorable chorus have made it a timeless favorite, often associated with themes of love, dedication, and sincerity. The song's upbeat tempo and heartfelt message continue to engage audiences, making it a staple in pop music history.",
"keyPoints": [
"Emphasizes commitment and loyalty in relationships.",
"Highlights the importance of honesty and trust.",
"Reassures loved ones of unwavering support.",
"Cultural icon associated with internet memes.",
"Timeless melody and catchy chorus.",
"Resonates with themes of love and dedication.",
"Continues to engage audiences across generations."
],
"topics": [
"Rick Astley",
"Never Gonna Give You Up",
"Pop Music",
"Commitment",
"Love",
"Nostalgia",
"Internet Memes"
],
"sentiment": "positive"
}
}Billing metadata (credits charged, cache hit/miss) is returned in the X-Captapi-Credits and X-Captapi-Cache response headers.
Request parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| url | string | Yes | Public YouTube video URL, e.g. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ID. Not a TikTok/Instagram/Facebook URL. The URL platform must match this endpoint's platform. Do not pass cross-platform URLs, e.g. YouTube to TikTok, Instagram to Facebook, LinkedIn to X/Twitter, or Pinterest to Rumble. |
| language | string | No | Preferred caption language as an ISO code, e.g. "en". Defaults to auto-detect. |
| cache | boolean | No | Set true to serve from the 24h response cache. Default false — always fetch fresh data. |
Frequently asked questions
What does the YouTube Summarizer API do?
The YouTube Summarizer API lets you generate an AI summary with key points and topics from a public YouTube video using one GET request to /v1/youtube/summarize. It returns clean JSON — no OAuth or infrastructure setup required.
How many credits does the YouTube Summarizer API cost?
Each successful call costs 3 credits. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h shared cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Failed or empty results are never charged.
Do I need a YouTube API key or OAuth?
No. A single Captapi key works across every platform Captapi supports — YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Reddit, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Rumble, Spotify, Kwai, and more. We handle proxies, rate limits, retries, and authentication for you.
Which AI model powers the summaries?
Summaries are generated with GPT-4o-mini for a strong balance of quality, speed, and cost, built on top of the transcript.
Is the YouTube Summarizer API suitable for production use?
Yes. It is a stable REST endpoint with predictable JSON and automatic retries. Pass cache=true to serve from the 24h shared cache (0 credits on hit); default is always fresh. Use it for analytics, monitoring, and content automation.
Ready to get an AI summary of a YouTube video?
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