Build a YouTube Search MCP Server with Apify

## Try It Out! ### This n8n demonstrates how to build a simple Youtube Search MCP server to look up videos on Youtube and download their transcripts for research purposes. ### How it works * A MCP server trigger is used and connected to 3 custom workflow tools: Youtube Search, Youtube Transcripts and Usage Reports. * Both Youtube tools use an external scraping service called APIFY.com. This is my preference as it's a much simpler interface and there are no rate limits. * The Youtube Search fetches 10 results based on the user's query. * The Youtube Transcripts downloads the subtitles from one or more given urls. * The usage reports pulls in your monthly APIFY.com monthly spending and limits as a way to check your account. ### How to use * This Apify Youtube MCP server allows any compatible MCP client to research youtube videos for any desired topic. An Apify account is required however to connect and use the service. * Connect your MCP client by following the n8n guidelines here - https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-langchain.mcptrigger/#integrating-with-claude-desktop * Alternatively, connect any n8n AI agent with the MCP client tool. * Try the following queries in your MCP client: * "what is MCP?" * "How can I use MCP in n8n?" * "How can I use Apify's official MCP server?" ### Requirements * APIFY.com for Youtube Scraping. This is a paid service but there is a $5 free tier which is ample for this template. * MCP Client or Agent for usage such as Claude Desktop - https://claude.ai/download ### Customising this workflow * Add as many APIFY.com actors as required for your use-case or users. Consider using Apify's official MCP server for 4000+ available tools. * Remember to set the MCP server to require credentials before going to production and sharing this MCP server with others!