Connector (OAuth)
YouTube transcripts in ChatGPT
ChatGPT can't read a YouTube video from its link alone. Add GetYouTubeTranscript as a connector and ChatGPT can fetch the transcript of any video with captions, search YouTube, and list a channel's or playlist's videos before answering.
Set it up
- 1
Open Plugins
In ChatGPT on the web, go to Plugins, select +, then Add custom MCP server. In a Business workspace, only admins and owners can do this.
- 2
Add the server
Name it GetYouTubeTranscript and enter this URL:
https://getyoutubetranscript.com/api/mcp - 3
Create and sign in
Choose OAuth sign-in, accept the risk warning and select Create as a plugin. Sign in with Google or email when asked; new accounts get 100 free credits, no card.
- 4
Use it in a chat
Install the plugin, start a new chat, type @ and pick GetYouTubeTranscript, then paste a YouTube link with your question.
What to ask ChatGPT
- Summarize this video in five bullet points with timestamps: <YouTube URL>
- Find three recent talks about vector databases and compare what each one recommends.
- List the last 10 uploads on @veritasium and tell me which ones mention climate.
- Pull the transcripts for the first five videos in this playlist and turn them into study notes: <playlist URL>
Tools ChatGPT gets
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| get_youtube_transcript | Full transcript plus title, author, thumbnail | 1 credit |
| get_transcript_languages | Caption languages a video offers, manual or auto-generated | 1 credit |
| search_youtube | Search videos or channels, paginated | 1 credit |
| get_channel_latest_videos | A channel's metadata and recent uploads | 1 credit |
| search_channel_videos | Search within one channel | 1 credit |
| list_channel_videos | Every video a channel has uploaded | 1 credit |
| list_channel_playlists | A channel's playlists, paginated | 1 credit |
| list_channel_posts | A channel's community posts, paginated | 1 credit |
| get_related_videos | Videos YouTube suggests next to a video | 1 credit |
| get_channel_banner | A channel's banner and avatar | 1 credit |
| get_video_dislikes | A video's estimated likes and dislikes | 1 credit |
| list_playlist_videos | Every video in a playlist | 1 credit |
| get_credits | Remaining credit balance for the key | Free |
Good to know
- OpenAI offers custom MCP servers on ChatGPT Business, Enterprise and Edu, on the web. Its help center does not describe them for Free, Plus or Pro; on those plans, paste or upload the transcript instead with YouTube to ChatGPT.
- The server is hosted, so there is nothing to run locally and no proxy to manage.
- Only the credit balance check is free; every other tool costs one credit per successful call.
Links
Questions about ChatGPT
Do I need an API key for ChatGPT?
No. The connector signs in with OAuth. A dedicated key is created behind the scenes and appears in your dashboard.
Can ChatGPT read a whole playlist?
Yes. Ask it to list the playlist's videos and then read the ones you want; each transcript uses one credit.
The connector stopped working. What now?
Open the plugin from Plugins in ChatGPT and reconnect it. Connections can be revoked, and workspace admins can turn plugins off.
What does it cost?
Each transcript, search or channel page uses one credit from your account, and failed requests are not charged. New accounts get 100 free credits, no card, and paid plans add more credits each month.
