Increasing the YouTube Data API search.list per-method quota beyond the default 100/day requires submitting a compliance audit form through Google Cloud Console. The form requires:
- Privacy Policy must mention YouTube API Services by name, link to Google's Privacy Policy, describe what YouTube data you access, and include a link to Google security settings for revocation.
- Terms of Service must reference the YouTube API Services Terms of Service and YouTube Terms of Service.
- Homepage screenshot showing the privacy policy link is accessible.
- You must specify exactly which API methods you use (e.g.,
youtube.search.list,youtube.channels.list,youtube.videos.list,youtube.playlistItems.list). - Each method requires: Total Per Day Quota, Peak Per Min Quota, and a Detailed Justification.
This applies even for purely internal/server-side usage with no end-user-facing YouTube integration. The API itself is free — quotas are rate limits, not billing caps. The overall 10,000 units/day limit is separate from per-method limits (search costs 100 units each; channels/videos cost 1 unit each).