How To Make Youtube Subscriber Counter

Imagine sitting at your desk, watching your YouTube channel grow in real-time, with a sleek, custom-built subscriber counter. It’s more than just a gadget—it’s a symbol of your hard work and a motivational tool to keep creating. In this story, I’ll guide you through creating your very own YouTube Subscriber Counter, step-by-step, from gathering materials to showcasing your final masterpiece.

Overview

Create a real-time YouTube Subscriber Counter using the Soldered Inkplate 2, a low-power e-paper display, perfect for sleek and modern projects.

Materials Needed

• Soldered Inkplate 2 board
• USB-C cable (for programming and power)
• Google Cloud account (for YouTube API)
• Arduino IDE with Inkplate library installed

Steps to Build the Subscriber Counter

Step 1: Prepare the Inkplate 2

Install the Inkplate library in the Arduino IDE:

• Open Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Manage Libraries, and search for Inkplate.
• Install the library.
• Install the Inkplate library in the Arduino IDE:Open Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Manage Libraries, and search for Inkplate.Install the library.

Connect the Inkplate 2 to your computer using the USB-C cable.

• Connect the Inkplate 2 to your computer using the USB-C cable.

Step 2: Set Up the YouTube API

Create a Google Cloud Project:

• Visit Google Cloud Console and create a new project.
• Create a Google Cloud Project:Visit Google Cloud Console and create a new project.

Enable the YouTube Data API v3:

• In the API library, search for and enable "YouTube Data API v3".
• Enable the YouTube Data API v3:In the API library, search for and enable "YouTube Data API v3".

Generate an API Key:

• Go to APIs & Services > Credentials and create an API key.
• Generate an API Key:Go to APIs & Services > Credentials and create an API key.

Save the API key and your YouTube Channel ID for later use.

• Save the API key and your YouTube Channel ID for later use.

Step 3: Write the Code

Basic Setup:Include necessary libraries for Wi-Fi and the Inkplate:

cpp

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#include <Inkplate.h>
#include <WiFi.h>
#include <HTTPClient.h>
Inkplate display(INKPLATE_2BIT);

cpp

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#include <Inkplate.h>
#include <WiFi.h>
#include <HTTPClient.h>
Inkplate display(INKPLATE_2BIT);

• Basic Setup:Include necessary libraries for Wi-Fi and the Inkplate:cppCopy code#include <Inkplate.h>
#include <WiFi.h>
#include <HTTPClient.h>
Inkplate display(INKPLATE_2BIT);


Connect to Wi-Fi:Add your Wi-Fi credentials:

cpp

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const char* ssid = "YourWiFiSSID";
const char* password = "YourWiFiPassword";

cpp

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const char* ssid = "YourWiFiSSID";
const char* password = "YourWiFiPassword";

• Connect to Wi-Fi:Add your Wi-Fi credentials:cppCopy codeconst char* ssid = "YourWiFiSSID";
const char* password = "YourWiFiPassword";


Fetch Subscriber Data:Use the API key and channel ID to get subscriber counts:

cpp

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const char* apiKey = "YourYouTubeAPIKey";
const char* channelId = "YourChannelID";

String getSubscriberCount() {
HTTPClient http;
String url = "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=statistics&id=" + String(channelId) + "&key=" + String(apiKey);
http.begin(url);
int httpCode = http.GET();
if (httpCode == 200) {
String payload = http.getString();
int subCountStart = payload.indexOf("\"subscriberCount\":\"") + 19;
int subCountEnd = payload.indexOf("\"", subCountStart);
return payload.substring(subCountStart, subCountEnd);
}
http.end();
return "Error";
}

cpp

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const char* apiKey = "YourYouTubeAPIKey";
const char* channelId = "YourChannelID";

String getSubscriberCount() {
    HTTPClient http;
    String url = "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=statistics&id=" + String(channelId) + "&key=" + String(apiKey);
    http.begin(url);
    int httpCode = http.GET();
    if (httpCode == 200) {
        String payload = http.getString();
        int subCountStart = payload.indexOf("\"subscriberCount\":\"") + 19;
        int subCountEnd = payload.indexOf("\"", subCountStart);
        return payload.substring(subCountStart, subCountEnd);
    }
    http.end();
    return "Error";
}

• Fetch Subscriber Data:Use the API key and channel ID to get subscriber counts:cppCopy codeconst char* apiKey = "YourYouTubeAPIKey";
const char* channelId = "YourChannelID";

String getSubscriberCount() {
HTTPClient http;
String url = "https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=statistics&id=" + String(channelId) + "&key=" + String(apiKey);
http.begin(url);
int httpCode = http.GET();
if (httpCode == 200) {
String payload = http.getString();
int subCountStart = payload.indexOf("\"subscriberCount\":\"") + 19;
int subCountEnd = payload.indexOf("\"", subCountStart);
return payload.substring(subCountStart, subCountEnd);
}
http.end();
return "Error";
}


Display the Data:Draw the subscriber count on the Inkplate:

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void setup() {
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) delay(1000);

display.begin();
display.clearDisplay();
}

void loop() {
String subscriberCount = getSubscriberCount();
display.setFont(&FreeMonoBold24pt7b);
display.setCursor(20, 50);
display.print("Subs: ");
display.print(subscriberCount);
display.display();
delay(60000); // Update every 1 minute
}

cpp

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void setup() {
    WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
    while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) delay(1000);

    display.begin();
    display.clearDisplay();
}

void loop() {
    String subscriberCount = getSubscriberCount();
    display.setFont(&FreeMonoBold24pt7b);
    display.setCursor(20, 50);
    display.print("Subs: ");
    display.print(subscriberCount);
    display.display();
    delay(60000); // Update every 1 minute
}

• Display the Data:Draw the subscriber count on the Inkplate:cppCopy codevoid setup() {
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) delay(1000);

display.begin();
display.clearDisplay();
}

void loop() {
String subscriberCount = getSubscriberCount();
display.setFont(&FreeMonoBold24pt7b);
display.setCursor(20, 50);
display.print("Subs: ");
display.print(subscriberCount);
display.display();
delay(60000); // Update every 1 minute
}


Step 4: Test and Refine

• Upload the code to the Inkplate using Arduino IDE.
• Confirm the Inkplate connects to Wi-Fi and displays the subscriber count.
• Adjust font size or placement as needed.

Step 5: Final Touches

Power Options:

• Use a USB adapter or a battery for portability.
• Power Options:Use a USB adapter or a battery for portability.

Enclosure:

• Create a minimalist 3D-printed or wooden frame to protect the Inkplate.
• Enclosure:Create a minimalist 3D-printed or wooden frame to protect the Inkplate.

Show Off Your Creation!

Place the subscriber counter on your desk or wall to track your channel's growth in real-time. It's a stylish and motivational tool for any YouTuber!