Getting Started
How Video Sync works
Video Sync follows a simple three-step model:
- Add a channel — Connect a YouTube channel on the Channels screen.
- Add a sync rule — Choose a sync action (what to import), a destination post type (where it lands), and a schedule.
- Sync — Saving the rule imports the content. In Free this runs once; in Pro it can repeat on a schedule.
Everything imported is stored as standard WordPress posts with YouTube data in _wpbuoy_video_sync_* post meta.
What's the difference between Free and Pro?
| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sync new videos, playlists, and channel data | Yes | Yes |
| Save synced items as any post type | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-sync YouTube API quota estimate | Yes | Yes |
| Thumbnail import with featured-image fallback | Yes | Yes |
| Per-rule sync history and error log | Yes | Yes |
| Number of channels | 1 | Unlimited |
| Recurring schedules (hourly to custom) | — | Yes |
| Update existing posts (all or specific fields) | — | Yes |
| Taxonomy assignment (categories, tags, custom) | — | Yes |
| Field mapping to custom meta keys | — | Yes |
| Filter conditions | — | Yes |
| Video protection (preserve manual edits) | — | Yes |
| Gutenberg blocks and shortcodes | — | Yes |
| Automatic updates | — | Yes |
| Priority support | — | Yes |
Sync actions explained
A sync rule’s action decides what gets imported and whether existing content is updated:
| Action | Imports | Free |
|---|---|---|
| Sync new videos | New videos not yet in WordPress | Yes |
| Sync new playlists | New playlists as posts | Yes |
| Sync channel | The channel itself as a post | Yes |
| Update all videos | Refreshes all metadata on existing video posts | Pro |
| Update specific videos | Updates only the fields you choose | Pro |
| Update all playlists | Refreshes all metadata on existing playlist posts | Pro |
| Update specific playlists | Updates only the fields you choose | Pro |
| Update channel | Refreshes all channel metadata | Pro |
| Update specific channel | Updates only the fields you choose | Pro |
Free covers the three “sync new” actions on a run-once schedule. Recurring schedules and all “update” actions require Pro.
Minimum requirements
- WordPress 6.0+
- PHP 7.4+
- A Google API key with the YouTube Data API v3 enabled
- HTTPS recommended
Getting your Google API key
Video Sync needs your own free Google API key with the YouTube Data API v3 enabled — this is the plugin’s only external dependency. Setup takes a few minutes in the Google Cloud Console. See the dedicated Connecting to YouTube section for step-by-step instructions, key security, and quota planning.
How to install
Free version:
- Go to WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New.
- Search for “Video Sync”.
- Click Install, then Activate.
- Go to Video Sync → Settings and enter your Google API key.
Pro version:
- Purchase a license from wpbuoy.com.
- Download the plugin ZIP from your account.
- Go to WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin and upload the ZIP.
- Activate the plugin.
- Go to Video Sync → License, enter your license key, and click Activate.
- Add your Google API key in Video Sync → Settings.
If the free version is active, the Pro plugin automatically takes over when activated — no need to deactivate the free one first.
Initial configuration
- Add your Google API key in Video Sync → Settings.
- Add a YouTube channel in Video Sync → Channels.
- Add a sync rule — choose an action, a destination post type, and (Pro) a schedule.
- Check the quota estimate shown before you sync, so you stay within Google’s daily limit.
- Save to import, then review the sync history to confirm what was created.
Will syncing affect my site?
No. Synced items are just regular WordPress posts, so there’s no front-end performance cost. Syncing happens on demand (Free) or in the background via WP-Cron (Pro).
The one thing to watch is your YouTube API quota — Google grants 10,000 free units per day. Video Sync shows an estimate before each sync so you can stay within it.
Privacy and data collection
Free version: Video Sync connects only to Google’s YouTube Data API, using your own API key, to fetch the content you ask it to import. No data passes through any third-party service.
Pro version: Your license key and domain are sent to the WPBuoy license server for validation — once on activation and daily for license checks. No content, user data, or synced posts are ever transmitted.
All synced content and settings are stored locally in your WordPress database.