DIY YouTube Subscriber Counter

DIY physical YouTube subscriber counter using a D1 Mini microcontroller and a seven-segment display.

BeginnerFull instructions provided2 hours420

Things used in this project

Hardware components

D1 mini

8-Digit 7 Segment Module

Hand tools and fabrication machines

3D Printer (generic)

Soldering iron (generic)

Story

DIY YouTube Subscriber Counter: A Fun and Motivating Project

If you're anything like me, watching your YouTube channel grow is an exhilarating experience. There's something special about knowing that people from around the world are tuning in to watch your content. But as my channel Mellow_Labs began to gain traction, I realized I needed a fun and tangible way to keep track of my subscriber count, something that would keep me grounded and motivated.

The solution? A YouTube subscriber counter! And I'm not talking about a digital counter you check on your phone. I'm talking about a physical, tangible counter that you can put on your desk, watch the numbers roll up, and feel that little burst of happiness each time someone new subscribes.

Choosing the Display

The first step in this journey was deciding on the type of display I wanted. I considered a wide range of options: split flip, flip dot, LED matrix, and even Nixie tubes. Each of these displays has its own unique charm, but in the end, I settled for an 8-digit seven-segment display. Why? Because it's low power and quiet, which makes it ideal for a desk accessory.

The Heart of the Project: D1 Mini

At the heart of this project is the D1 Mini, a microcontroller I've used so much, I've literally started a fan club for it. Its compact size and versatility make it a perfect fit for this project.

Connecting the Dots

With my D1 Mini and seven-segment display in hand, it was time to connect the two. This was done using some simple jumper wires, which allowed the microcontroller and display to communicate.

Let's Get Coding!

Next came the fun part – programming! To control the display, I used the MicroPython MAX7219 library developed by Andrew Mullane. I also wrote some custom code to pull the subscriber count from the YouTube API.

One little challenge I encountered was that the screen would flicker every time the code refreshed. To solve this, I added a check to ensure the number changed before updating the screen. This way, the screen stays stable and only changes when there's a new subscriber.

All the code I used is available on my GitHub. You'll need to add in your Wi-Fi credentials, your YouTube API key, and your YouTube ID, and then you're good to go!

The Finishing Touch: A Custom Case

To give my counter a sleek look, I designed and 3D printed a small case for it. It's a simple rectangle with a cutout for the screen and a wire protruding from the back. The case provides protection for the components and gives the counter a polished, professional appearance.

Thanks you all !!

I want to take a moment to thank my 1260 subscribers on YouTube. Your support means the world to me, and it's your interest and engagement that makes projects like this so rewarding. I hope you enjoy seeing this subscriber counter in the background of my future videos as much as I do.

Join the Mellow_Labs Family on Patreon

If you've enjoyed this project or any of my other content, consider supporting Mellow_Labs on Patreon. Your patronage helps me continue creating and sharing fun projects like this one. Plus, you'll get access to behind-the-scenes content, early access to videos, and more. Every bit of support helps and is greatly appreciated!

Code

YouTube_API_subscriber_counter

import network
import urequests
import json
import max7219
from time import sleep


def connect_to_wifi(ssid, password):
    """Connect to the Wi-Fi network using the given SSID and password."""
    wifi = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
    wifi.active(True)
    wifi.connect(ssid, password)
    while not wifi.isconnected():
        pass
    return wifi


def display_subs(display, subs, last_string):
    """Display the given subscriber count on the SevenSegment display.
    Only update the display if the subscriber count has changed.
    """
    new_string = str(subs)
    if last_string == new_string:
        pass
    else:
        display.clear()
        display.number(subs)
    return new_string


def get_subs(api_key, channel_id):
    """Retrieve the subscriber count for the given channel using the YouTube API."""
    response = urequests.get(
        f"https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=statistics&id={channel_id}&key={api_key}"
    )
    data = json.loads(response.text)
    return int(data["items"][0]["statistics"]["subscriberCount"])


def main(wifi_ssid, wifi_password, api_key, channel_id, refresh_rate):
    """Main function to run the YouTube subscriber count display program."""
    last_string = ""
    wifi = connect_to_wifi(wifi_ssid, wifi_password)
    print(wifi.ifconfig())
    display = max7219.SevenSegment(cs=0, reverse=True)
    while True:
        subs = get_subs(api_key, channel_id)
        last_string = display_subs(display, subs, last_string)
        sleep(refresh_rate)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    wifi_ssid = ""
    wifi_password = ""
    api_key = ""
    channel_id = ""
    refresh_rate = 10  # in seconds
    main(wifi_ssid, wifi_password, api_key, channel_id, refresh_rate)

Credits

Mellow_labs

28 projects • 15 followers

Hi I'm Tomasz, I'm an art student who switched paths, and now I do Programming and Electrical projects.

DIY YouTube Subscriber Counter