How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA 7th Edition

This guide explains how to format a youtube video citation in APA 7th Edition. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a youtube video in APA 7th Edition:

Template

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

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Kurzgesagt -- In a Nutshell, 2023)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Kurzgesagt -- In a Nutshell. (2023, March 7). You are not where you think you are [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj-h6MEgE7I

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the creator
Use the real name of the person or organization if known, with the screen name in square brackets. If only a screen name is available, use it as the author without brackets.
2
Add the upload date
Include the full date the video was uploaded (Year, Month Day).
3
Write the video title
Italicize the video title. Use sentence case. Follow with "[Video]" in square brackets.
4
Add the platform name
Write "YouTube" (not italicized) as the site name.
5
Include the URL
Provide the full URL of the video.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to include "[Video]" in square brackets after the title.
Not using the channel name as the author when the real name is unknown.
Omitting the upload date.
Using the channel URL instead of the specific video URL.
Not italicizing the video title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use the channel name or the person's real name?

If the person's real name is known and different from the channel name, use the real name as the author and put the channel name in square brackets: Lastname, F. M. [Channel Name]. If the real name is not known, use the channel name without brackets.

How do I include a timestamp in the in-text citation?

To refer to a specific point in the video, include the timestamp in the in-text citation: (Kurzgesagt, 2023, 3:42). Use the hours:minutes:seconds format as needed.

What if the video has no individual creator?

Use the channel name as the author. Many educational and organizational channels serve as the corporate author for their videos.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your youtube video:

Creator/Channel name
Date of upload
Title of video
Website name (YouTube)
URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

Identify the creator

Use the real name of the person or organization if known, with the screen name in square brackets. If only a screen name is available, use it as the author without brackets.

Add the upload date

Include the full date the video was uploaded (Year, Month Day).

Write the video title

Italicize the video title. Use sentence case. Follow with "[Video]" in square brackets.

Add the platform name

Write "YouTube" (not italicized) as the site name.

Include the URL

Provide the full URL of the video.