YouTube videos are now a standard academic and professional source. Lectures, TED Talks, documentary clips, news broadcasts, and original research presentations are frequently hosted on YouTube and cited in research papers. APA 7th edition (2020) provides specific rules for citing audiovisual media, including YouTube videos.
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Key rules:
- If the person's real name is known, list it first, then the channel name in brackets
- If only the channel name is known, use the channel name as the author (no brackets)
- If channel name and person's name are identical, use either format — APA accepts either
- Include [Video] in square brackets after the italicized title
- The source is "YouTube" (not the full URL of YouTube)
- Include the full video URL
Examples: Common Scenarios
Video uploaded by a named person (channel name differs)
Video from an organization channel
Educational channel video (no real name known)
TED Talk on YouTube
Citing a Specific Timestamp
When you quote or closely paraphrase a specific moment in a video, include the timestamp in your in-text citation:
The timestamp format is: minutes:seconds (e.g., 2:15 for 2 minutes and 15 seconds). For videos over an hour: hours:minutes:seconds (e.g., 1:04:30). The timestamp only appears in the in-text citation — not in the reference list entry.
Special Cases
Video with no upload date
Video that has been removed or is private
Live stream or webinar on YouTube
APA vs. What YouTube Shows
APA format requires specific information that YouTube displays in a specific way. Here is how to map what you see on YouTube to the citation elements:
| APA Element | Where to Find on YouTube |
|---|---|
| Author (person's name) | Under the video title, listed as the uploader — may or may not be a real name |
| Channel name | The channel name shown under the video or on the channel page |
| Date | Shown below the video title (click to see full date if only relative date shows) |
| Title | The video title (italicize in reference list) |
| URL | The video's URL (use the full URL, not a shortened link) |
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Install APA Citation Generator — FreeRelated Guides
- How to Cite a Website in APA Format
- How to Cite a PDF in APA Format
- In-Text Citation APA Guide
- How to Cite a Podcast in APA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APA format for citing a YouTube video?
Last Name, F. M. [Channel Name]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. YouTube. URL. If only the channel name is known, use it as the author without brackets.
How do I cite a YouTube video if I don't know the real author's name?
Use the channel name as the author without square brackets. Example: CrashCourse. (2022, March 3). The nervous system [Video]. YouTube. URL.
How do I cite a specific timestamp in a YouTube video in APA?
Include the timestamp in the in-text citation only: (National Geographic, 2023, 4:32). The timestamp does not appear in the reference list entry.
Should I include [Video] in the APA YouTube citation?
Yes. APA 7th edition requires [Video] in square brackets after the italicized title to identify the format. It is not italicized.
How do I cite a YouTube video with no upload date?
Use (n.d.) in place of the year: Channel Name. (n.d.). Title [Video]. YouTube. URL. In practice, YouTube videos nearly always display an upload date — check below the title for the full date.
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