To cite a YouTube video, the format depends on the citation style you are using. Here are the common ways to cite a YouTube video in APA, MLA, and Harvard styles:
APA Style
- Author: Use the name of the person or organization who uploaded the video.
- Date: Include the upload date in parentheses (Year, Month Day).
- Title: Italicize the video title and include "[Video]" in square brackets.
- Source: Write "YouTube" followed by the URL.
Format:
Last name, Initials. [Channel name]. (Year, Month Day). Video title [Video].
YouTube. URL Example:
Stevens, M. [Vsauce]. (2017, August 14). The napkin ring problem [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J51ncHP_BrY In-text citation:
(Stevens, 2017) If the real name is unknown, just use the channel name. When
quoting a specific part, include a timestamp in the in-text citation
MLA Style
- Start with the author (creator) of the video.
- Put the video title in quotation marks.
- Include the website name (YouTube).
- Add the uploader’s name.
- Date of upload.
- URL.
Format:
Author’s Last name, First name. “Video Title.” YouTube , uploaded by
Uploader, Day Month Year, URL. Example:
Liu, Jessica. “Primary vs. Secondary Sources: The Differences Explained | Scribbr.” YouTube , uploaded by Scribbr, 16 Feb. 2021, https://youtu.be/CPQ95B95bWE. In-text citation:
(Liu 1:15) If the author and uploader are the same, start with the title
Harvard Style
- Name of person posting the video.
- Year of posting.
- Title of video.
- Available at: URL (Accessed Day Month Year).
Example:
Name of person posting video (Year) Title of film or programme. Available
at: URL (Accessed Day Month Year)
. In summary, the key elements to include are the uploader/author, upload date, video title, platform (YouTube), and the URL. Including timestamps is helpful for in-text citations when referencing specific parts of the video
