How to Build a Youtube Subscriber Counter: Step-by-Step Guide

Description

Are you starting a Youtube channel and want to build something that will help you see your growth as you can more Youtube subscribers, well then this is the perfect tutorial for you. In this tutorial I show you how to build a Youtube subscriber counter in just 5 easy steps. Don’t you worry, as this step by step guide will hold your hand through every step. I even supply the code!

If you want to help me out, feel free to purchase the tools you’ll need from the affiliate links below.

Difficulty: 5/10 – Intermediate | Cost: 💲 (out of $ $ $ $ $) | Time: 4hrs

Tools

Screw Driver – (https://amzn.to/3XjGfqc)
Hot Glue Gun – (https://amzn.to/3JOStUG)
Hand Drill – (https://amzn.to/4oUictK)
Jig Saw – (https://amzn.to/4hTI1rE)

Materials & Parts

ESP32 Board – (https://amzn.to/484Rg4M)
MAX 7219 Display Board – (https://amzn.to/4qUR8N0)
Black Translucent Acrylic – (https://amzn.to/3WL8oXa)
Black Screws – (https://amzn.to/4hSX0SP)

Guide

Step 1: Gather the resources

Time: 5 m

Tool: None
PPE: None

Gather all the resources we will need to build the Youtube Subscriber counter. Please reference the Tools list and Material & Parts list above. Feel free to use your own tools or materials, but if you don’t have something, check out the amazon affiliate links I have attached above.

Step 2: Connect the Pieces

Time: 20 m

Tool: None
PPE: None

Using the female to female wires that come with the MAX7219 display board, we will connect the correct pins of the MAX7219 board with the ESP32. Please reference this image to help.

Step 3: Time to Program

Time: 30 m

Tool: Arduino IDE
PPE: None

First thing we will want to do is download the Arduino IDE here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software/

Grab my code here: https://github.com/ReadyFreddyGH/youtuber-subscriber-counter

Note: Font file is the font that will be displayed on the device, secrets.h is the file we will configure with your information (wifi, youtube credentials), SubscriberCounter_sketch.ino is the code itself, YoutubeSubCounterBoxTemplate.pdf are hand draw designs of the wooden box the display and boards will be housed in.

Setting up Youtube API and getting the API Key Value

Then go to https://console.cloud.google.com/welcome?pli=1&project=innate-plexus-410600

Create a new project, I called it YoutubeSubscriberCounter

Then go to APIs & Services in the left side menu and click on library

Type Youtube V3

Then click Youtube V3 and hit enable

Then click manage and go to the credentials tab, then click create credentials and then Help Me Choose

Select Youtube Data API v3 and public data

Then hit Next and copy the api key and hit Done

Then go to the secrets.h file we downloaded from my git hub repository, and paste the api key in the SECRET_APIKEY spot

Getting your Youtube Channel key

Go to www.youtube.com, go to your channel icon in the top right and click on View Your Channel

Go to Settings, and then Advance Settings, copy the key and put it in the SECRET_CHANNELID spot

Add your Wifi information

Then add your Wifi name for SECRET_SSID, and your Wifi password for SECRET_PASS.

Install any required libraries for the ESP32

In your Arduino IDE, go to the top left and click on the drop down, then click Select other board and port.

Then under Boards find the ESP32 Dev Module or a module that works with your board.

Push code to ESP32

Plug the ESP32 into the correct port on your computer. Correct port will be what ever usb port your Arduino IDE is setup to use. Then hold the boot button on your ESP32 and click on the Upload button in the IDE

Step 4: Time to Build the Case

Time: 3 hours

Tool: Hand Drill – (https://amzn.to/4oUictK), Jig Saw – (https://amzn.to/4hTI1rE)
PPE: Safety Glasses, Dust Mask

To build the wooden box, please reference the design I created In my git repository. Picture also posted above. The video above shows a timelapse of me building the box if you want a visual representation on how to do it.

Step 5: Assemble and Complete