Search YouTube for videos, channels, and/or playlists using the YouTube Data API v3 search.list endpoint. IMPORTANT — Quota cost: Every call to this tool costs 100 quota units (vs. 1 for most other tools). Use it sparingly and narrow the query as much as possible before calling. Args: - \
AI agents call youtube_search to retrieve information from Youtube without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves data from YouTube without creating, modifying, or deleting any content. While it has a high quota cost (100 units), the quota cost is a resource consumption concern rather than a security risk—the tool itself performs only read operations. No data is altered, deleted, or executed.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'Search[es] YouTube for videos, channels, and/or playlists' using the search.list endpoint. The verb 'search' and the operation of querying/retrieving video metadata are read-only operations with no side effects.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search YouTube for videos, channels, and/or playlists using the YouTube Data API v3 search.list endpoint. IMPORTANT — Quota cost: Every call to this tool costs 100 quota units (vs. 1 for most other tools). Use it sparingly and narrow the query as much as possible before calling. Args: - \. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Youtube MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Youtube MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for youtube_search: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Youtube. Nothing to install.
youtube_search is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the youtube_search rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for youtube_search. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
youtube_search is provided by the Youtube MCP server (tuitamogamer-gpt/youtube-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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