Support
Answers to common questions, troubleshooting steps, and API quota reference.
FAQ
Do I need a YouTube API key?
No. The add-on uses Google’s OAuth authentication for YouTube access — no API key is needed for basic use. You can optionally add your own API keys under Settings → API Keys if you want quota tracking or need higher daily limits.
What’s the difference between Basic and Pro?
Basic ($47 one-time) includes all research tools: Video Discovery, Channel Discovery, Dormant Channels, New Creator Research, and Channel Analytics. Pro ($29/month) adds Daily Video Tracking, Automation, all three AI tools, and priority support.
Where are AI reports saved?
AI analysis results can be exported to Google Docs, which are saved in your Drive → YouTube Research Tool → Reports folder. They’re also logged to the Master Research Log sheet for easy reference.
Can I archive old projects?
Yes. Go to Menu → My Projects, select a project, and choose Archive. Archived projects are moved to your Archives folder organized by year.
What happens to my data if I cancel Pro?
All your research data stays in your Google Sheets — nothing is deleted. Pro features (AI, Automation, Daily Tracking) become locked, but Basic features continue working.
Does this work on mobile?
Google Sheets add-ons require a desktop browser. The add-on’s sidebar and dialogs are not available in the mobile Sheets app.
Can multiple team members use it?
Each user needs their own installation and API keys. The add-on runs under each user’s Google account permissions.
How accurate are AI predictions?
AI tools provide estimates based on patterns in the data you provide. Treat predictions as informed guidance, not guarantees. More channel metrics = better accuracy.
What YouTube data can the tool access?
The tool uses YouTube’s public Data API v3 with read-only access. It can see publicly available data: video titles, view counts, likes, comments, channel info, etc. It cannot access private analytics, revenue data, or YouTube Studio metrics.
Can I run multiple searches at once?
One search runs at a time. Each search writes to a sheet, so running another while one is in progress can cause conflicts. Wait for the current search to complete.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| “YouTube API not enabled” | Menu → Settings → Re-Authorize YouTube. Follow the OAuth prompt to re-grant access. |
| “API quota exceeded” | YouTube’s daily quota (10,000 units) has been used up. Wait until midnight PST for reset, or add more API keys under Settings → API Keys. |
| “Feature Locked” | This feature requires a Pro subscription. Upgrade from Menu → Usage & Limits. |
| No search results returned | Broaden your filters: widen the date range, lower the minimum views threshold, or try a different keyword. |
| “Channel not found” | Try using the direct channel ID (starts with UC), full channel URL, or @handle format. |
| “Setup incomplete” warning | Run Menu → Settings → Setup Wizard and complete all 3 steps. |
| Sheets not appearing in project | Make sure you have an active project set. Check via Menu → My Projects → set one as active. |
| Automation trigger not firing | Verify Pro status is active. Open Automation Dashboard and check that Global Automation is enabled, execution time is set, and trigger count > 0. |
| AI API error | Open Menu → AI Tools → AI Settings. Verify your API key is correct (test connection). Check that your AI provider account has credits/balance remaining. |
| “Exceeded maximum execution time” | Google Apps Script has a 6-minute execution limit for user-triggered functions. Reduce Max Results or use Create New Sheet to minimize processing. For large searches, try 100–200 results instead of 500. |
| Slow performance | Close other add-ons in the same spreadsheet. Large spreadsheets with many sheets can slow down operations. Consider archiving old sheets via Sheet Management. |
| Duplicate sheets created | This can happen if you click a search button multiple times. Wait for the loading indicator to finish before clicking again. |
API Quotas
YT Recon uses the YouTube Data API v3, which has daily quota limits.
Quota Basics
- Default quota: 10,000 units per API key per day
- Reset time: Midnight Pacific Time (PST/PDT)
- Multiple keys: Each additional API key adds 10,000 units to your daily pool
Approximate Costs per Operation
| Operation | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Video search | ~100 units per page of results |
| Channel search | ~100 units per page of results |
| Video details (stats, duration) | ~1–3 units per video |
| Channel details (stats, metadata) | ~1–3 units per channel |
| Playlist items (video list) | ~1 unit per page |
Typical Search Costs
| Search Type | 50 results | 200 results | 500 results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Discovery | ~200–400 units | ~600–1,200 units | ~1,500–3,000 units |
| Channel Discovery | ~200–400 units | ~600–1,200 units | ~1,500–3,000 units |
| New Creator Research (25) | ~400–800 units | — | — |
Monitoring Usage
- Sidebar → Home tab shows a live quota progress bar with units used today
- Menu → Usage & Limits shows detailed usage breakdown by feature
Automation Quota Budget
When using automated daily tracking (Pro), the system reserves quota to avoid conflicts:
– Automation budget: 3,000 units/day
– Manual budget: 7,000 units/day
– These are soft limits — the system warns but doesn’t hard-block
Adding More Quota
- Menu → Settings → API Keys
- Click Add Key
- Enter a YouTube Data API v3 key from the Google Cloud Console
- Keys rotate automatically — the system uses the key with the most remaining quota