how to cite a youtube video

How to Cite a YouTube Video: A Complete Guide for Content Creators

With the rise of video content, YouTube has become the go-to platform for many creators to share their work. As such, it's important to know how to properly cite YouTube videos in your content. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about citing YouTube videos, including why it's important, the different citation styles, and how to cite them in your content.

1. Why Citing YouTube Videos is Important

Citing your sources is crucial in any type of content creation, as it gives credit to the original creators and helps prevent plagiarism. When it comes to YouTube videos, citing your sources is especially important because it helps build trust with your audience and ensures that your content is accurate and reliable.

2. Understanding the Different Citation Styles

There are several different citation styles that you can use to cite YouTube videos, but the most commonly used ones are APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian. Let's take a closer look at each of these styles:

2.1 APA

APA (American Psychological Association) is a citation style commonly used in social sciences, education, and psychology. When citing a YouTube video in APA style, you'll need to include the following information:

• The name of the video's creator or username
• The year the video was posted
• The title of the video
• The date you accessed the video
• The URL of the video

2.2 MLA

MLA (Modern Language Association) is a citation style commonly used in humanities, literature, and language studies. When citing a YouTube video in MLA style, you'll need to include the following information:

• The name of the video's creator or username
• The title of the video
• The name of the website (YouTube)
• The date the video was posted
• The URL of the video
• The date you accessed the video

2.3 Chicago/Turabian

Chicago/Turabian is a citation style commonly used in history, social sciences, and humanities. When citing a YouTube video in Chicago/Turabian style, you'll need to include the following information:

• The name of the video's creator or username
• The title of the video
• The name of the website (YouTube)
• The date the video was posted
• The URL of the video
• The date you accessed the video

3. How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA Style

To cite a YouTube video in APA style, follow these steps:

1. List the name of the video's creator or username, followed by a period.
2. List the year the video was posted in parentheses, followed by a period.
3. List the title of the video, followed by a period.
4. List the date you accessed the video in month-day-year format, followed by a period.
5. List the URL of the video.

Here's an example of how a citation in APA style might look like:

Doe, J. (2018). How to Cite a YouTube Video. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://

4. How to Cite a YouTube Video in MLA Style

To cite a YouTube video in MLA style, follow these steps:

1. List the name of the video's creator or username, followed by a period.
2. List the title of the video in quotation marks, followed by a period.
3. List the name of the website in italics (YouTube), followed by a comma.
4. List the date the video was posted, followed by a period.
5. List the URL of the video, followed by a period.
6. List the date you accessed the video in day-month-year format, followed by a period.

Here's an example of how a citation in MLA style might look like:

Doe, John. "How to Cite a YouTube Video." YouTube, 20 Jan. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXX. Accessed 12 May 2023.

5. How to Cite a YouTube Video in Chicago/Turabian Style

To cite a YouTube video in Chicago/Turabian style, follow these steps:

1. List the name of the video's creator or username, followed by a comma.
2. List the title of the video in quotation marks, followed by a period.
3. List the name of the website in italics (YouTube), followed by a comma.
4. List the date the video was posted in month day, year format, followed by a period.
5. List the URL of the video, followed by a period.
6. List the date you accessed the video in month day, year format, followed by a period.

Here's an example of how a citation in Chicago/Turabian style might look like:

Doe, John. "How to Cite a YouTube Video." YouTube, January 20, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXX. Accessed May 12, 2023.

6. Tips for Properly Citing YouTube Videos

Here are some tips to keep in mind when citing YouTube videos:

• Always check the specific citation style guide for the most up-to-date formatting requirements.
• Be sure to include all the required information for the citation style you're using.
• Make sure the URL is accurate and functional.
• Use the title of the video exactly as it appears on YouTube.
• Be consistent with your citation style throughout your content.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to cite a YouTube video in my content? Yes, it's important to properly cite your sources to give credit to the original creators and prevent plagiarism.

2. What citation style should I use for YouTube videos? The most commonly used citation styles for YouTube videos are APA, MLA, and Chicago/Turabian.

3. Can I use a shortened URL for the video in my citation? No, you should use the full URL to ensure accuracy and functionality.

4. Do I need to include the time stamp of the content in my citation? It depends on the citation style you're using and the context of your content. Check the specific guide for more information.

5. Can I use a video still or screenshot as a visual aid in my content? Yes, but be sure to properly cite the source and follow any fair use guidelines.

8. Conclusion

Citing YouTube videos is an important aspect of content creation, as it helps give credit to the original creators and ensures accuracy and reliability in your content. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this guide, you can properly cite YouTube videos in your content and maintain the integrity of your work

9. FAQs After The Conclusion

1. Do I need to cite a YouTube video if it's in the public domain? Yes, even if a video is in the public domain, you should still cite it to give credit to the original creators and provide context for your audience.

2. Can I use a YouTube video as a source for academic research? Yes, YouTube videos can be used as sources for academic research. However, it's important to evaluate the credibility and reliability of the source before using it in your research.

3. Can I cite a YouTube channel instead of a specific video? Yes, if the channel itself is the source of the content you're using, you can cite the channel as the author of the content.

4. How do I cite a YouTube video in APA style if there is no specific date of publication? If there is no specific date of publication for a YouTube video, you can use the date you accessed the video in the citation.

5. What do I do if the creator of the YouTube video is unknown? If the creator of a YouTube video is unknown, you can start the citation with the title of the video instead.

10. Final Thoughts

Citing YouTube videos is an essential skill for any content creator or researcher. By properly citing your sources, you can demonstrate your credibility, give credit to the original creators, and provide valuable context for your audience. With the information and guidelines provided in this article, you should be able to confidently cite YouTube videos in any citation style required for your content.