n8n + YouTube
Post to YouTube from n8n
Send YouTube videos from n8n to BrokenPost. Your workflow builds the video, BrokenPost posts it to YouTube at the time you set.
How to connect n8n to YouTube
- 1
Connect YouTube in BrokenPost. Sign in with Google and pick your YouTube channel.
- 2
In BrokenPost, open Plugins and copy your API key.
- 3
In n8n, install the BrokenPost community node (the Plugins page links to it).
- 4
Add your API key as a credential.
- 5
Add a BrokenPost step to any workflow to create posts.
Prefer another way? See every way to connect n8n.
YouTube workflows to build in n8n
Each one ends with a step that sends the video to BrokenPost.
- “When a new row is added to a spreadsheet, schedule a YouTube video with its text and picture at the time in the row.”
- “When a new blog post shows up in your RSS feed, schedule a YouTube video that links to it.”
- “When someone submits a form, save a YouTube video as a draft for your team to approve.”
- “When a product is added to your store, post it to YouTube the next morning.”
What happens next
- 1
Your n8n workflow starts from its trigger, like a new row, a form or an RSS item.
- 2
It sends the text, the date and the channel to the BrokenPost public API, with a picture or video link.
- 3
BrokenPost pulls in any media and saves the video on your calendar, as scheduled or as a draft.
- 4
At the set time BrokenPost publishes it to YouTube. If YouTube rejects it, the video shows as failed with the reason.
YouTube limits to build for
Keep each video inside these limits. If YouTube rejects one, it shows as failed on your calendar with the reason.
| Characters | 5,000 characters (for the description) |
|---|---|
| Media | Exactly 1 video |
| Video | Exactly 1 per post |
| Description | No < or > characters |
| Privacy | Public, private or unlisted |
YouTube settings you can send
Send them with the post in the YouTube settings.
- Title
- Public, private or unlisted
- Made for kids
- Tags
- Custom thumbnail
If YouTube rejects a video
The video shows as failed on your calendar with one of these messages.
| What you see | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| You need one media | A YouTube post needs exactly one video. Remove extra files. |
| Your video description is invalid, it may contain disallowed characters such as < or >. | Remove < and > from the description. |
| The maximum allowed is 500 characters in total. | Your tags add up to more than 500 characters. Remove a few tags. |
| Please re-authenticate your YouTube account | Reconnect YouTube in BrokenPost and pick the same channel. |
Good to know
- A YouTube post needs exactly one video.
- Descriptions can not contain < or > characters.
- Send the video as a draft when you want someone to check it in BrokenPost first.
Questions people ask
Can n8n post to YouTube?
Yes, through BrokenPost. Connect YouTube in BrokenPost, then send posts to the BrokenPost public API from n8n.
What are the YouTube limits?
5,000 characters (for the description). Exactly 1 video. If YouTube rejects a post, it shows as failed on your BrokenPost calendar with the reason.
Can n8n schedule YouTube videos for later?
Yes. Send a date and time with the post and it goes out then, or send it as a draft to check it first.
Is it free?
The public API works on every plan. The Free plan includes 1 account on every app and 20 posts a month. Paid plans start at $19 a month with unlimited posts.
How do I add a picture or video?
YouTube needs media on every video. Upload the file to BrokenPost, or pass a link and BrokenPost pulls it in, then attach it to the post.
Can I schedule YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Upload a vertical video and schedule it like any other video.
Can I add a custom thumbnail?
Yes. Add a thumbnail picture in the YouTube settings of your post.
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