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The TranscriptMagic API returns transcripts from public video URLs on the four platforms we support. One auth scheme, four paths, and a per-platform response shape (YouTube returns timed segments; TikTok and Facebook return joined text plus optional download URLs; Instagram returns plain-text lines).

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When to use the API

Reach for the API when you’re building automation: ingesting channel archives into a vector DB, generating SRT files at scale (YouTube only — it’s the platform that returns per-line timing), indexing video courses, or wiring transcripts into an LLM pipeline. If you just need to grab a single transcript, the no-code tools on the main site are faster. If you’re working inside an AI client (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code), connect the MCP server instead — OAuth sign-in, no API key, tools available in every chat. If you orchestrate workflows in n8n, install the community node and skip the glue code.

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Supported platforms

YouTube

Watch URLs, youtu.be short links, /shorts/, mobile, and live replays. Returns timed segments.

TikTok

Full share URLs and vm.tiktok.com short links resolve cleanly.

Instagram

Reels (/reel/), video posts (/p/), and IGTV (/tv/). Stories are not supported (no stable URLs).

Facebook

Reels, Watch, posts containing video, video posts, and fb.watch short links — all formats accepted.

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Pricing

Every successful API call costs 1 credit — whether the video is a 30-second Short or a 4-hour livestream replay. Free credits are included with every account, no card required to start. Buy more anytime on the credits page. Cache hits and error responses are free.

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A taste

curl -X POST https://api.transcriptmagic.com/api/youtube/transcript \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"}'
Next: generate a key and make your first call.