How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA Format

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Citing a YouTube video in APA format can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered.

The first thing you need to know is that APA stands for American Psychological Association, and it's a style guide used in the social sciences.

To cite a YouTube video, you'll need to know the title of the video, the name of the channel, the publication date, and the URL of the video.

The APA format for citing a YouTube video is as follows: Lastname, F. M. (Year, Month Day of Publication). Title of video [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/username

Citing YouTube Videos

You can cite a YouTube video in APA style using the channel's name and "(n.d.)" for the date, as shown in Example 2.

The parenthetical citation for a YouTube channel includes the channel's name and "(n.d.)", while the in-text citation includes the channel's name and "provides informative...".

To cite a YouTube video in APA style without an author's real name, use their YouTube username or the channel's name as the author, as seen in Example 3.

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If the names of the author and the channel are the same, include the individual's real name using the author format, and then add the name of the channel in brackets.

Here's a structure to create an APA citation for a YouTube video: Name of the Account OR Last Name, First initial of uploader [YouTube Account Name]. (Year, Month Day it was posted). Title of the video [Video]. YouTube. URL.

For example: CrashCourse. (2013, March 21). The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism: Crash course in US History #8 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bO7FQsCcbD8

If the video is posted on the organization's official website, then the speaker or presenter's name would be listed in the author field. However, if the video is posted on YouTube or any other video sharing site, the name of the account that uploaded the video is listed as the author instead, to aid retrieval.

You can also use the following template to create an APA citation for a YouTube video:

Author

Date

Title

(SOURCE) Website Name

(SOURCE) URL

Director, D. D. (Director). Producer, P. P. (Executive Producer). Host, H. H. (Host). Artist, A. A. Uploader, U. U. [@username].

A unique perspective: Create Video Streaming Site

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For example: CBS News. (2019, October 4). The perils of private prison health care | Full documentary [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsQuOPy4zX0

In-text citations for direct quotes from YouTube videos should include the last name of the person who uploaded the video, the year the video was published, and a timestamp of the quote you are citing.

Here's an example of how to create an APA in-text citation for a direct quote from a YouTube video: (Smith, 2018, 5:27)

You can also use the following list to help you create APA citations for YouTube videos:

  • Use the uploader's last name, first initial as the "author" and their username in brackets.
  • Add the title in italics, followed by "video" in brackets and then "YouTube" as the platform.
  • Add the URL of the video.

For example: Smith, J. [@smithjoe]. (2018). How to make pancakes with almond butter [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

Citation Format

The citation format for APA style is straightforward. In the reference list entry, the video title is set in sentence case and italicized, with the first word after a colon capitalized. The uploader's name is followed by the year of publication, and the video title is enclosed in brackets with the word "Video" and a period.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA Format (7th Edition)

To create a citation, you'll need to include the uploader's name, the year of publication, the video title, and the URL. If the uploader's real name isn't available, you can use their YouTube username or the channel's name as the author. For example, "TED. (2021, June 2). Yuko Munakata: The science behind how parents affect child development [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/evw0h1kg-j4"

Here's a breakdown of the citation format:

  • Author: Uploader's name (or YouTube username or channel name)
  • Year: Year of publication
  • Title: Video title in sentence case and italicized
  • [Video]: Enclosed in brackets with the word "Video" and a period
  • YouTube: Website name
  • URL: Video URL

This format is used for both parenthetical and in-text citations. For example, (TED, 2021) or "TED (2021) provides commentary on...".

Format

The format for citing YouTube videos and channels in APA style is quite straightforward. In APA style, YouTube channels are undated, so you'll mostly use "n.d." in the year field. This means "no date".

When citing a YouTube video, you'll need to include the uploader's name, the video title, the YouTube channel, and the URL. The uploader's name is the person or group who uploaded the video, not necessarily the content creator. If the uploader's real name isn't available, you can use their YouTube username or the channel's name as the author.

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For parenthetical and in-text citations, you'll use the name of the YouTube channel instead of the author's real name, along with the video's upload year.

Here's a summary of the APA citation structure for YouTube videos:

  • Uploader's name (n.d.). Page name [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
  • Real last name, First initial. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Video title [Video]. YouTube. URL

For example, if you're citing a video from the YouTube channel "Happy Learning English", your citation might look like this:

Happy Learning English. (n.d.). Home. [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8eJxPzmvTb12v7LlZUJcLQ

If you're citing a YouTube video without an author's real name, your citation might look like this:

TED. (2021, June 2). Yuko Munakata: The science behind how parents affect child development [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/evw0h1kg-j4

Note that if the names of the author and the channel are the same, you should include the individual's real name using the author format, and then add the name of the channel in brackets.

Here's a list of the key elements to include in an APA citation for a YouTube video:

  • Uploader's name (or YouTube username or channel name)
  • Video title
  • YouTube channel
  • URL
  • Year (if available)
  • Month and day (if available)

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to format your citations correctly and avoid any confusion.

Citing Comments

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Citing comments on YouTube can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. If you're citing a video comment in APA style, you'll focus on the commenter and their comment, not the actual video.

To cite a comment, you'll need the commenter's username and the year the comment was made. If the commenter's real name isn't available, you can use their username. Here's the format: (Commenter's username, year).

For example, if the commenter's username is "Smithjoe" and the comment was made in 2020, your citation would look like this: Smithjoe. (2020). Comment text in sentence case [Comment on the video "Video title in sentence case"]. YouTube. URL

Note that if the comment is too long, you should use the first 20 words, and add "Comment on the video" and the video name in quotation marks in brackets after the comment.

Here's a quick tip: always mention the comment and not the YouTube video. This will help your readers find the information they need.

Parenthetical and In-Text Citations

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When citing YouTube videos in APA style, it's essential to use the correct parenthetical and in-text citations.

The parenthetical citation for a YouTube video typically includes the uploader's real name, the year, and the month and day (if available). For example, (Richards, 2021).

If the uploader's real name isn't available, you can use the name of the YouTube channel instead and the video's upload year. For instance, (National Geographic, 2013).

In-text citations for YouTube videos should include the last name of the person who uploaded the video, the year the video was published, and a timestamp of the quote you are citing. For example, (Smith, 2018, 5:27).

You can also use the following structure to create an APA citation for a YouTube video: Name of the Account OR Last Name, First initial of uploader [YouTube Account Name]. (Year, Month Day it was posted). Title of the video [Video]. YouTube. URL.

Credit: youtube.com, What Are In-Text Citations?

Here's an example: CrashCourse. (2013, March 21). The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism: Crash course in US History #8 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bO7FQsCcbD8

The in-text citation for a direct quote from a YouTube video should include the last name of the person who uploaded the video, the year the video was published, and a timestamp of the quote you are citing.

Here are some examples of APA in-text citation templates and examples:

Remember, the key to proper citation is to be consistent and accurate. By following these guidelines, you'll be able to create clear and concise parenthetical and in-text citations for your YouTube videos.

Creating a Citation

To cite a YouTube video in APA style, start by identifying the key elements you need to include. The video title is set in sentence case and italicized, with the first word after a colon capitalized. The uploader's name is also important, and if available, you should include their real name.

Credit: youtube.com, How Do I Cite A YouTube Video In APA? - The Language Library

In the reference list entry template, the uploader's name is followed by the year of publication, month and day, and the video title in italics. The video title is also preceded by the word "Video" in brackets. For example, DorufaVSArt. (2020, February 11). Neat and clean, beautiful PRINT handwriting style [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/cjBPnIXK60U

If the uploader's real name is not available, you can use their YouTube username or the channel's name as the author. This is especially true if the names of the author and the channel are the same. For instance, Luttrell, A. [Andy Luttrell]. (2021, August 2). The psychology of human values with Dr. Greg Maio (podcast episode) [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/VgRrB_Yhc5M

Here's a general structure to follow when creating an APA citation for a YouTube video:

Name of the Account OR Last Name, First initial of uploader [YouTube Account Name]. (Year, Month Day it was posted). Title of the video [Video]. YouTube. URL

For example: CrashCourse. (2013, March 21). The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism: Crash course in US History #8 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bO7FQsCcbD8

Special Cases

Credit: youtube.com, How To Cite APA Style YouTube Video? - The Language Library

If you're citing a YouTube video, you might need to get creative with the author information. According to APA 7th edition, if you can locate it, add the uploader's last name, first initial as the "author", then add their username in brackets, for example: Smith, J. [@smithjoe].

You'll also need to include the title of the work in italics, followed by "[Video]" in brackets, and then the platform, "YouTube". For instance: How to make pancakes with almond butter [Video]. Youtube.

For in-text citations, make sure to include a timestamp after the date if you're quoting directly from the video. This can be a bit tricky, but it's essential to get it right.

General Information

To cite a YouTube video in APA style, you need to include the name of the account that uploaded the video. This is because the APA Publication Manual, 7 edition, recommends listing the uploader's name as the author to aid retrieval.

Credit: youtube.com, How to cite or refer to a youtube video using APA Style 7th edition: Tutorial for beginners

The structure for creating an APA citation for a YouTube video is as follows: Uploader's Last Name, F. M. [Username*]. (Year, Month Day it was posted). Title of the video [Video]. YouTube. URL.

For example, CrashCourse. (2013, March 21). The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism: Crash course in US History #8 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bO7FQsCcbD8

The in-text citation for a direct quote from a YouTube video should include the last name of the person who uploaded the video, the year the video was published, and a timestamp of the quote you are citing.

Style Guide

When citing a YouTube video in APA style, the video title is set in sentence case and italicized, with the first word after a colon capitalized.

In APA style, the video uploader's name is included in the citation, along with the publication year, month, and day. The video title is also included, in sentence case and italicized.

The general format for citing online videos in APA style is to include the last name, initials, and screen name of the uploader, along with the year, month, and day of publication.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA Style 2025

Here's a breakdown of the different formats for citing YouTube videos in APA style:

  • Citing a video with the uploader's real name: Uploader's Surname, F. M. (Year, Month Day Published). Video title [Video]. YouTube. URL.
  • Citing a video with the uploader's screen name: Screen name. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video file]. YouTube. http://xxxx.
  • Citing a video with different author and uploader: Author last name, First Name. "Title of video." YouTube, uploaded by Screen Name, day month year, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.

The in-text citation should include the last name or screen name and the year. For example, (Doe, 2016) or (Janedoe, 2016).

Walter Brekke

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Walter Brekke is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a strong background in technology, Walter has established himself as a go-to expert in the field of cloud storage and collaboration. His articles have been widely read and respected, providing valuable insights and solutions to readers.

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