How to Cite YouTube in APA Format

Complete guide to citing YouTube in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

YouTube presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling YouTube's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: YouTube Citations

Reference List Format:
[Screen name or Channel name]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

YouTube-Specific Notes:
Citing YouTube videos in APA 7th edition requires attention to several unique elements that differ from standard citation rules. One key difference is the use of the uploader's channel name or screen name as the author. This is because YouTube videos often do not list traditional authors, making the channel name the most identifiable source of the content. The format begins with the channel name, followed by the date of publication in parentheses. The title of the video is italicized, followed by the word “Video” in square brackets, the name of the website (YouTube), and the URL. For example: CrashCourse. (2020, March 2). The Columbian exchange: Crash course world history #23 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPA5oNpfM4

A common point of confusion arises from the variety of creators and content on YouTube, where students may mistakenly attribute authorship to a person rather than the channel. Another frequent error is omitting the format descriptor "[Video]" or improperly italicizing the video title. Best practices include always verifying the full and correct channel name and ensuring the publication date is accurate. Additionally, students should remember to include the retrieval date only if the video content is likely to change over time, such as live streams or evolving content. Following these guidelines helps maintain the integrity and clarity of citations, accurately reflecting the source of the material.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use YouTube Video format with YouTube specifics
- Locate citation info on YouTube's website
- Handle YouTube's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-29 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on YouTube

When citing a YouTube video in your academic work, it's important to accurately gather the necessary information. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find key citation elements on YouTube:

  1. Author (Creator)
    - Location: On YouTube, the "author" of the content is typically the channel or user that uploaded the video. This information is prominently displayed just below the video title.
    - Action: Look directly below the video title for the channel name. This is the equivalent of the author's byline. For example, if the video is uploaded by a channel named "CrashCourse," then CrashCourse is the author.

  2. Publication Date
    - Location: The publication date is located directly below the video player, usually adjacent to the channel name or just below the video description link.
    - Action: Scroll down slightly under the video player. The date is formatted typically as "Published on [Month Day, Year]." This is necessary for determining when the content was made available online.

  3. Title of the Video
    - Location: The video title is prominently displayed at the top of the page, just above the video player.
    - Action: Look at the top of the video for the title in boldface. It’s the largest text on the video page, making it easy to locate. Ensure you copy it exactly as it appears, including any punctuation.

  4. URL/Access Information
    - Location: The URL of the video is found in the address bar of your web browser.
    - Action: Click once on the address bar at the top of your browser to highlight the URL. Copy this link directly to ensure accuracy. It should resemble something like "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyz123."

Additional Tips:
- Video Description: Sometimes, additional context or authorship information is available in the video description. Click "Show More" under the description to expand this section.
- Channel Information: For more comprehensive information about the creator, click on the channel name to visit the channel’s homepage. Here, you might find details like the creator’s full name or additional credentials that could be relevant.
- APA Note: In APA 7th edition, the format for a YouTube video citation is:
Author, A. A. [YouTube Channel]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL

By following these steps, you can accurately gather the necessary information to cite a YouTube video according to APA guidelines. Always verify the details before finalizing your citation to ensure precision and credibility in your academic work.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your YouTube Citation

What You Need

Before you start creating a YouTube citation, gather the following items:

  1. Access to a Computer or Smartphone: You will need a device to browse and access YouTube.
  2. Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection to access YouTube and gather the necessary information.
  3. YouTube Video: Identify the video you want to cite. You should have the specific video URL handy.
  4. Citation Guide: Keep this guide open for reference as you create your citation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open YouTube and Find Your Video (Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes)

Action: Go to YouTube using your web browser. Use the search bar to locate the video you want to cite by entering relevant keywords.

Verification: Once you find the video, make sure it matches your topic of interest. Play the video briefly to confirm that it is the correct one.

Step 2: Gather Video Information (Time Estimate: 3-10 minutes)

Action: Click on the video to open it. Look for the following information to include in your citation:

Verification: Double-check that you have recorded the correct screen name, publication date, video title, and URL. It is essential that each piece of information is accurate.

Step 3: Format the Citation (Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes)

Action: Now that you have all the necessary information, you can start formatting your citation according to the APA style. Use the following template:

[Screen name or Channel name]. (Year, Month Day). *Title of video* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

Verification: Ensure that you replace the placeholders with the actual information you gathered. For example:

ExampleChannel. (2023, January 15). *How to Create Citations* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefg

Step 4: Check for Proper Formatting (Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes)

Action: Review your formatted citation for adherence to APA guidelines. Ensure that:

Verification: Compare your citation to other APA examples to ensure consistency in formatting.

Step 5: Include the Citation in Your Work (Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes)

Action: Place the completed citation in your reference list or wherever you need it in your paper. Ensure that it adheres to the formatting style of the rest of your document, such as hanging indentations if applicable.

Verification: Check that the citation is clearly visible and formatted correctly within the context of your work.

Step 6: Save Your Work (Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes)

Action: If you are working on a document or a note-taking app, be sure to save your references and any other information you have gathered.

Verification: Confirm that your document is saved correctly and that you can access it later.

Step 7: Review and Finalize Your Citation (Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes)

Action: Take a moment to review your completed citation one last time. Make sure that all details are accurate, and the formatting is correct according to APA style.

Verification: You can use an online citation generator to check your work or compare it against other reliable citation examples.

Tips for Efficiency

By following these steps, you will be able to create a proper YouTube citation in APA format. Remember

Real Examples from YouTube

This section provides authentic citation examples from YouTube using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I can't browse the internet in real time, so I'm unable to find or verify recent YouTube content from 2023-2024. However, I can guide you on how to format APA 7th edition citations for YouTube videos, and provide hypothetical examples that illustrate a variety of scenarios you might encounter. Here's how you can structure them:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a tutorial video on how to use APA 7th edition for citation purposes, created by a well-known academic instructor.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. (2023, September 15). How to cite using APA 7th edition [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Smith (2023) explains how to cite using APA 7th edition.

Notes: This example is noteworthy because it features an individual author who is recognized for expertise in academic writing.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: A technology company releases a promotional video showcasing their latest product innovations.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Tech Innovators Inc. (2023, October 5). Introducing the future of tech: Our 2024 lineup [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Tech Innovators Inc., 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Tech Innovators Inc. (2023) showcases their latest tech innovations.

Notes: This example illustrates a corporate author, which is common for promotional content or official releases from organizations.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative video featuring several experts discussing climate change solutions.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L., & Parker, M. (2023, August 20). Collaborative solutions for climate change [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Johnson & Parker, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Johnson and Parker (2023) discuss collaborative solutions for climate change.

Notes: This example is unique as it involves multiple authors, which requires the use of an ampersand in parenthetical citations.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: A video containing a creative short film with unique formatting or artistic elements.

Complete Reference List Citation:
ArtHouse Productions. (2023, November 3). The journey of silence [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (ArtHouse Productions, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): ArtHouse Productions (2023) presents a creative short film with unique artistic elements.

Notes: This example highlights special formatting cases, such as artistic or creative content that might not follow conventional structures.

These examples demonstrate how to handle different types of authors and content scenarios in APA 7th edition. Be sure to replace the "xxxxx" with the actual video ID from YouTube when you locate the videos you intend to cite.

Common Issues When Citing YouTube

Identifying the Author

Issue Description:
One common issue students face when citing YouTube videos is identifying the correct author. Unlike traditional sources, the author of a YouTube video is often not a person but a channel name, which may not clearly indicate the creator's identity.

Why It Happens:
This problem arises because YouTube videos are typically uploaded under channel names that can range from a personal name to a brand or an abstract moniker. This ambiguity can make it difficult to determine whether to use the channel name or search for the actual creator's name.

Solution:
1. Locate the Channel Name: Begin by identifying the channel name, which is found under the video title on the video page.
2. Use the Channel Name as the Author: In most cases, use the channel name as the author in your citation.
3. Check for Additional Information: If the video description or channel 'About' page provides further details about the creator, consider incorporating this into your attribution if relevant.

Example:
- Before: "Unknown Author"
- After: "CrashCourse"

Date Format

Issue Description:
Students often struggle with formatting the date correctly for YouTube citations, as YouTube provides a variety of date formats and sometimes only a rough estimate like "5 years ago."

Why It Happens:
YouTube displays dates in a user-friendly format that does not always translate directly into the precise format required by APA guidelines.

Solution:
1. Locate the Exact Date: Click on the video's upload date below the video to get the full date in the format of day-month-year.
2. Format the Date Correctly: Use the format "Year, Month Day" as required by APA 7th edition.

Example:
- Before: "5 years ago"
- After: "2023, July 15"

URL Handling

Issue Description:
Students may incorrectly format or truncate URLs, leading to broken links or incomplete citations.

Why It Happens:
YouTube URLs can be lengthy and cumbersome, making students tempted to shorten them. However, APA requires the full, direct link to the video.

Solution:
1. Use the Full URL: Copy the entire URL from the browser's address bar.
2. Avoid URL Shorteners: Do not use URL shorteners like bit.ly as APA mandates the use of the full URL.

Example:
- Before: "https://bit.ly/3xYz"
- After: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"

Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Some YouTube videos require a login to view, which can lead to confusion about how to cite such content.

Why It Happens:
This issue occurs because some content on YouTube is age-restricted or set to private, requiring user authentication to access.

Solution:
1. Verify Access: Ensure the video is publicly accessible without login. If it's not, consider whether it is appropriate to use as a source.
2. Note Access Restrictions: If you must use a restricted video, note this in your citation by stating "Video might require login to access."

Example:
- Before: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example"
- After: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example [Video might require login to access]"

Conclusion

Citing YouTube videos can be challenging due to the platform's unique features and user interface. By understanding how to correctly identify authors, format dates, handle URLs, and manage access requirements, students can effectively incorporate YouTube content into their academic work following APA 7th edition guidelines. These solutions help ensure that citations are accurate, complete, and professional.

Note: For general YouTube Video citation errors, see How to Cite YouTube Video.

Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube

Q: How do I find the necessary citation information on YouTube for APA format?

A: To cite a YouTube video in APA format, locate the video title, uploader (which acts as the author), publication date, and the URL. This information is typically found underneath the video on its page. Click on the video title to open its dedicated page if needed.

Q: How should I format the author for a YouTube video in APA citations?

A: In APA format, the author of a YouTube video is the individual or organization that uploaded it. If a specific person's name is associated with the channel, use that name. If not, use the channel name as the author. Include the name exactly as it is presented on YouTube.

Q: How do I handle YouTube's publication date in APA citations?

A: Use the exact date the video was published, typically found below the video title. Format it as Year, Month Day (e.g., 2023, October 5). If only the year is available, you can use just the year.

Q: What are APA's URL and access requirements for citing YouTube videos?

A: Include the full URL of the video in your citation. APA 7th edition does not require a retrieval date for YouTube videos unless the content is likely to change over time. Ensure the URL is accurate and leads directly to the content.

Q: How does citing a YouTube video differ from other online video sources in APA format?

A: The primary difference is the inclusion of the uploader as the "author" and the specific format of the URL, which should lead directly to the YouTube video. Other online video platforms may have different structures for authorship and access, but YouTube's consistent layout makes this process straightforward.

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