Use the n8n node

TranscriptFetch has an official, n8n-verified community node, n8n-nodes-transcriptfetch. It fetches transcripts from YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, searches and lists videos, and can start a workflow when a channel posts something new. The full guide, with workflow templates you can paste straight onto your canvas, is in the docs: n8n node.

Set it up

1. Install the node. In any workflow, open the nodes panel, search for TranscriptFetch and click Install. This works on n8n Cloud and self-hosted n8n. On self-hosted n8n you can also install n8n-nodes-transcriptfetch by name from Settings, then Community Nodes.
2. Add your API key. Create a key on the API keys page of your dashboard, then add it in n8n as a TranscriptFetch API credential. n8n checks it with a free balance call, so a wrong key fails at setup, not on your first run.
3. Fetch a transcript. Add the TranscriptFetch node, choose Get Video Transcript, paste a video link and run the step.

Step-by-step detail: Set it up.

Start from a template

The docs have three ready-made workflows: fetch one transcript, transcribe every new upload from a channel, and an AI Agent that can fetch and search videos itself. Copy one, click an empty spot on your n8n canvas and paste. See Start from a template.

Watch a channel for new videos

The TranscriptFetch Trigger starts your workflow when a YouTube channel, TikTok profile or Instagram account posts a new video, and includes the transcript. It needs a public HTTPS webhook URL: n8n Cloud has one; on self-hosted n8n set WEBHOOK_URL, or use a Schedule Trigger with List Channel Videos instead. See Run a workflow on every new video.

Common problems

• TranscriptFetch is not in the nodes panel. Update n8n, or on self-hosted n8n install it by name from Settings, then Community Nodes. Community nodes must not be turned off with N8N_COMMUNITY_PACKAGES_ENABLED=false.
• The trigger will not activate. Your instance has no public HTTPS webhook URL; see above.
• A long video returns a job_id. Raise Max Wait in the node's options, or poll the returned poll_url. The transcription keeps running either way, and waiting is free.
• The trigger broke after upgrading from 0.4. The trigger is now version 2. Remove it from the workflow and add it again.

More fixes: If something goes wrong.

What it costs

The same credits as the API, and failed runs are free. Each trigger check costs 1 credit whether or not it finds a new video. AI Fallback Transcription is on by default for videos without captions; set Mode to Captions Only to never pay for audio. See What it costs.