YouTube Live Tracker

A Google Apps Script that automatically discovers and logs live streams from multiple YouTube channels to Google Sheets, with playlist integration.

What It's For

This tool helps you:

• Monitor multiple YouTube channels for live streams simultaneously
• Automatically log discovered live streams to organized spreadsheets
• Build playlists of live content from your favorite channels
• Keep a historical record of all live streams from tracked channels
• Never miss a live stream from channels you follow

How It Works

The script operates by:

1. Reading a list of YouTube channel IDs from a main "Channels" sheet
2. Searching each channel for currently live videos using YouTube Data API
3. Creating a dedicated sheet for each channel (named after the channel)
4. Logging new live streams with video ID, title, URL, and timestamp
5. Adding videos to specified playlists (optional per channel)
6. Preventing duplicate entries by checking existing logs

Setup

Prerequisites

• Google account with Google Sheets access
• YouTube Data API v3 enabled in Google Cloud Console
• Channel IDs of YouTube channels you want to track

Installation

1. Create the Spreadsheet Structure

   - Create a new Google Sheet
   - Rename the first sheet to "Channels"
   - Add headers: Channel ID | Playlist ID (optional)
   - Add channel IDs you want to track (one per row)
   

2. Add the Script

   • Go to Extensions → Apps Script
   • Delete any default code
   • Paste the Code.gs content
   • Save the project with a name like "YouTube Live Tracker"

3. Enable YouTube API

   • In Apps Script editor, click Services (+)
   • Find and add "YouTube Data API v3"
   • Click OK to enable

4. Set Up Automation

   • In Apps Script, click Triggers (clock icon)
   • Add Trigger → Choose function: trackAllChannels
   • Select time-based trigger (e.g., every 10 minutes)
   • Save

5. First Run

   • Run trackAllChannels() manually once
   • Authorize the required permissions
   • Check that channel sheets are created

Usage

Once configured:

• The script runs automatically at your set interval
• Each tracked channel gets its own sheet with live stream history
• New live streams are automatically logged with timestamps
• Optional: Videos are added to playlists if playlist IDs are provided

Sheet Structure

Channels Sheet (Main):

Channel ID	Playlist ID
UCxxxxxx	PLxxxxxx

Individual Channel Sheets (Auto-created):

Video ID	Title	URL	Date Added
xxxxxxxxxxx	Stream Title	https://youtube.com/watch?v=xxx	2024-01-15 10:30:00

LICENSE

MIT License