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YouTube API data does not have one universal retention period. Under YouTube’s Developer Policies, certain authorized statistics and Analytics or Reporting data may be kept as long as needed for the consented purpose, with an authorization check at least every 30 days. Most other authorized data and limited non-authorized data must be refreshed or deleted within 30 calendar days. If a user asks you to delete data related to them, the deadline is sooner: as soon as possible and no later than seven calendar days. A separate allowance of up to 36 calendar months applies only to developers with a qualifying audited use case that YouTube has expressly approved.
Retention periods depend on the type of data and authorization
YouTube distinguishes among authorized data, limited non-authorized data, and certain statistics. The ordinary rules are in YouTube’s YouTube API Services Developer Policies. “Authorized” data is accessed with a user’s authorization; the longer general allowance for some statistics does not extend to statistics obtained without that authorization.
| Data category | Ordinary retention rule |
|---|---|
| YouTube Analytics API data, YouTube Reporting API data, and statistics from other YouTube APIs, when authorized | Keep only as long as necessary for the purpose covered by the active user’s consent and applicable law. Verify authorization remains valid at least every 30 days. For a video view-count example, also check that the video has not been deleted. YouTube Developer Policies: policy section on stored data. |
| Other authorized data | Keep only as long as necessary for the specific consented purpose and no longer than 30 calendar days; then refresh or delete. YouTube Developer Policies: policy section on stored data. |
| Limited amounts of non-authorized data | Keep temporarily only as long as necessary for the API Client’s purpose and no longer than 30 calendar days; then refresh or delete. YouTube Developer Policies: policy section on stored data. |
| Stored data related to a user who requests deletion or otherwise indicates they no longer want access | Delete as soon as possible and within seven calendar days. YouTube Developer Policies: user data deletion requirements. |
YouTube states for other authorized data: “After 30 calendar days, the API Client must either delete or refresh the stored data.” The policy gives the same deadline for limited non-authorized data.
What counts as statistics eligible for the general longer rule?
The general policy identifies data retrieved through the YouTube Analytics API, data from the YouTube Reporting API, and statistics from other YouTube APIs. When authorized, these may be kept as long as necessary for the purpose covered by the active user’s consent and applicable law. This is not permission to keep every related API field indefinitely: purpose, consent, applicable law, and continuing authorization still matter.
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You must verify at least every 30 days that authorization remains valid. YouTube’s example for stored video view counts also calls for checking that the video has not been deleted. A statistic obtained without the relevant channel owner’s authorization does not qualify for this longer rule; YouTube specifically says not to retain an unauthorized channel subscriber count beyond 30 days.
Refresh stored data and present it accurately
YouTube requires reasonable efforts to keep stored API Data consistent with the information currently available through its API Services. Reflect metadata changes and view-count updates as quickly as possible, and show users the most updated data available to you. Historical values may be shown when they are accurately identified and framed as historical rather than presented as current figures. See the Developer Policies.
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Refreshing is not a one-time way to make data permanent. Where the 30-day rule applies, each refresh starts another cycle that still requires a later refresh or deletion. If you cannot refresh a record, delete it by the applicable deadline.
Delete user-related data within seven calendar days
Provide a way for users to request deletion of stored data related to them. YouTube’s policy says to delete it “as soon as possible and within 7 calendar days.” The same requirement applies when a user indicates by another means that they do not want the API Client to access related data, including by deleting their account in the API Client.
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- 【Multiple Video Stream Settings】- You can add static text, scrolling text, logo or time to the output video streams to customize the displayed video. Of course, you can also adjust other parameters, such as resolution, frame rate, bitrate, etc.The output audio is also adjustable.
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Deleting your API Client’s copy does not delete the copy held by YouTube. A user who wants YouTube’s copy deleted must use YouTube or an authorized client that provides deletion functionality. The seven-day rule concerns stored data related to the user; it is distinct from the ordinary 30-calendar-day refresh-or-delete limit.
The 36-month allowance requires express approval
YouTube’s additional policy for derived metrics and data storage allows specified statistical data and derived metrics based on retrieved data to be stored for up to 36 calendar months—but only for developers who meet the audit requirements, apply through the standard quota-extension request process, and receive acceptance for the relevant use case. The policy’s revision history records the amendment on May 4, 2026, and a clarification on June 1, 2026: YouTube API Services Terms of Service revision history.
Examples of potentially covered statistical data include views, likes, subscriber counts, and comment counts from statistical endpoints. Approval is tied to the accepted scope; using an Analytics or Reporting API, or building an analytics product, does not by itself establish eligibility.
The exception does not extend to ordinary descriptive data. YouTube states: “Other data (such as video titles, creator names, descriptions, and comment text) must still follow the 30-day refresh and deletion policy in Section III(4).”
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When authorization cannot be verified
YouTube’s compliance guide says that when a developer cannot verify authorization, deletion must occur within 30 days. The specific stored-data policy separately sets the seven-calendar-day maximum when a user requests deletion or otherwise indicates they no longer want access. Apply the specific, shorter user-directed deadline when it is triggered, and consult the live policy text for the circumstances that apply to your data: Complying with YouTube’s Developer Policies.
Build the rules into your storage workflow
- Classify each stored field. Record whether it is authorized, a statistic from an eligible API category, ordinary descriptive data, or limited non-authorized data. Do not assume that all fields returned in one API response share a retention allowance.
- Track purpose and consent. For authorized data, connect stored data to the specific user consent and purpose. Keep only what is necessary for that purpose and applicable law.
- Set category-based deadlines. Schedule refresh or deletion by the 30-calendar-day deadline for other authorized data and limited non-authorized data. For the eligible authorized statistics, schedule an authorization check at least every 30 days.
- Process deletion signals promptly. Treat a user deletion request or another indication that they no longer want access—including API Client account deletion—as a trigger to delete related stored data as soon as possible and within seven calendar days.
- Keep displays fresh and contextual. Update metadata and counts as quickly as possible, show the freshest data available, and clearly label historical values.
- Use the longer analytics exception only after acceptance. Retain covered statistics or derived metrics beyond ordinary limits only when the developer and use case meet the additional policy’s conditions and YouTube has expressly accepted the application.
The YouTube API Services Terms of Service make the Developer Policies part of the API agreement. They also require API Clients to publish a privacy policy describing relevant collection, storage, use, processing, and sharing of user data.
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