How Do I Cite a YouTube Video in APA 7th Edition?

Here’s the definitive answer: To cite a YouTube video in APA 7th edition, you need the following elements: Author (which is usually the uploader or channel name), Date (year, month, and day the video was uploaded), Title of the Video (italicized), Source (YouTube), and URL. The general format looks like this:

Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of video. YouTube. URL

Let’s dive deeper into each component and then tackle some tricky scenarios. Trust me, after this, you’ll be a YouTube citation ninja!

Breaking Down the APA 7th Edition YouTube Citation

While the formula looks simple, knowing the nuances is key to accurate and reliable citations.

Author Attribution

The “Author” isn’t always a straightforward individual. Often, it’s the YouTube channel name acting as the author. Use the channel name as it appears on YouTube. If an individual’s name is prominently displayed and clearly the content creator, use that instead. If the account holder’s name is different from the YouTube channel’s name, list the account holder’s name, followed by the channel name in brackets (e.g., Smith, J. [SciShow]).

The Elusive Date

The date is crucial. This is the date the video was uploaded to YouTube, not when you viewed it. APA style requires the year, month, and day. Look carefully under the video title for the upload date.

The Italicized Title

The Title of Video should be exactly as it appears on YouTube. Keep the capitalization consistent. Remember to italicize the entire title.

The “Source”: YouTube

Simply write “YouTube” after the title. This clearly identifies the platform where the video resides.

The All-Important URL

Include the full URL of the YouTube video. Make sure it’s a working link so readers can easily access the source.

Example:

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. (2023, October 26). What If We Nuke the Moon? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJLxstq0u9Y

APA 7th Edition YouTube Citation in Text

Remember, citations aren’t just for the reference list. You also need in-text citations.

Parenthetical In-Text Citation

The parenthetical in-text citation includes the author’s name and the year of publication.

(Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2023)

Narrative In-Text Citation

The narrative in-text citation integrates the author’s name into the sentence.

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (2023) explored the hypothetical consequences…

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to address specific scenarios and potential pitfalls when citing YouTube videos in APA 7th edition.

H3 FAQ 1: What if the video has no identifiable author?

If you genuinely cannot determine an author, which is very rare on YouTube, you can use the title of the video in place of the author’s name in both the reference list entry and the in-text citation. Remember to italicize the title in the reference list.

H3 FAQ 2: How do I cite a comment on a YouTube video?

Citing a YouTube comment is generally discouraged in formal academic writing. Comments are often ephemeral and lack lasting scholarly value. However, if a comment is crucial to your argument, you would cite it similarly to a blog comment. Include the commenter’s name (or username), the date of the comment, and the text of the comment (in quotation marks). Also, provide the URL to the video where the comment appears.

Example:

Username. (Year, Month Day). [Comment on the YouTube video Title of video]. YouTube. URL

H3 FAQ 3: What if the video has multiple authors or contributors?

YouTube videos rarely have multiple authors in the traditional sense. If there are collaborators or guest appearances, you would usually still attribute the video to the channel owner or main uploader. However, if multiple individuals are explicitly presented as co-creators, list them in the order they are presented on YouTube, separated by commas. For more than 20 authors, include the first 19 names, an ellipsis (…), and then the last author’s name.

H3 FAQ 4: What if I viewed the video on a specific date? Do I include that?

No, you do not include the date you viewed the video. APA 7th edition only requires the upload date.

H3 FAQ 5: Can I cite YouTube videos in other citation styles besides APA?

Yes! Other styles like MLA, Chicago, and Harvard also have guidelines for citing online videos. Consult the specific style guide for details. This guide focuses solely on APA 7th Edition.

H3 FAQ 6: Is it okay to cite a YouTube video as a primary source?

Whether a YouTube video is an appropriate primary source depends on your research topic and discipline. If you’re analyzing the video itself, its content, or its impact, then it’s a perfectly valid primary source. However, for other research topics, YouTube videos might be considered secondary or tertiary sources, and should be used judiciously.

H3 FAQ 7: What if the video is no longer available on YouTube?

If a video has been removed from YouTube, you should still include the citation in your reference list if you accessed it previously. Add “[Video removed]” after the title to indicate its current status. If you didn’t access it, it’s best not to cite the video.

Example:

Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video removed]. YouTube. URL

H3 FAQ 8: How do I cite a YouTube channel in general, not a specific video?

To cite a YouTube channel as a whole, treat it like a website. Include the channel name, and the URL of the channel’s homepage. In the description, explain what you are citing (i.e., a YouTube channel).

Example:

Veritasium. (n.d.). YouTube channel. Retrieved October 27, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/@veritasium

H3 FAQ 9: What if the YouTube video is part of a larger series?

If the video is part of a series, you can include the series title and episode number in parentheses after the video title. This can help provide context for the reader.

Example:

CrashCourse. (2023, October 26). Intro to Quantum Computing: Quantum Physics #28. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKjLz5QN8qc

H3 FAQ 10: Are automatically generated citations from YouTube accurate?

While YouTube provides citation tools, they are often inaccurate and incomplete. Always double-check the automatically generated citation against the APA 7th edition guidelines to ensure accuracy. Don’t trust, verify!

H3 FAQ 11: What if the video is unlisted but I have the URL?

If you have access to an unlisted YouTube video, you can cite it. Treat it the same as a public video, including the URL. However, you might consider whether citing an unlisted video is ethically appropriate, especially if it was intended for a limited audience.

H3 FAQ 12: What about citing live streams on YouTube?

Citing a live stream is very similar to citing a regular YouTube video. Indicate that it was a live stream within brackets after the title. You’ll also want to make sure that the URL is still valid.

Example:

Name of Channel. (Year, Month Day). Title of live stream [Live stream]. YouTube. URL

By mastering these guidelines and understanding the nuances, you’ll be well-equipped to accurately and confidently cite YouTube videos in APA 7th edition. Happy citing!