Can You Cite a YouTube Video? Absolutely. Here’s How to Do it Right.

Yes, you absolutely can cite a YouTube video! In academic and professional settings, citing sources is crucial for giving credit where it’s due and upholding intellectual honesty. YouTube videos, like any other form of media, can be legitimate sources of information and should be cited appropriately. The key is understanding how to cite them correctly, which varies depending on the citation style you’re using.

Mastering the Art of YouTube Video Citation

Citing a YouTube video isn’t rocket science, but precision matters. Think of it as giving directions – you need to be accurate so others can find their way back to the source. There are several citation styles widely used in academic writing, and each has its own specific format. Let’s explore the most common ones.

APA Style Citation

APA (American Psychological Association) style is often used in the social sciences, education, and business. Here’s the basic format for citing a YouTube video in APA style:

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

Let’s break it down:

• Author: Use the real name of the person or organization if available. If not, use the YouTube username.
• Username: Include the username in square brackets if you’re using the username as the author.
• Year, Month Day: Provide the date the video was uploaded.
• Title of video: Italicize the title of the video.
• [Video]: Indicate that it’s a video source in square brackets.
• YouTube: Specify the platform.
• URL: Include the full URL of the YouTube video.

Example:

National Geographic. (2023, October 26). The secret life of plankton [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx

In your in-text citation, you would typically use the author’s last name (or username) and the year, e.g., (National Geographic, 2023).

MLA Style Citation

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities, such as literature, language, and cultural studies. Here’s the basic format:

Author, “Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Username, Date of publication, URL.

Let’s dissect this:

• Author: Same as APA – use the real name if available; otherwise, use the YouTube username.
• Title of Video: Enclose the title in quotation marks.
• YouTube: Italicize the name of the platform.
• Uploaded by Username: Include the username of the uploader, even if it’s the same as the author.
• Date of Publication: Provide the date the video was uploaded (Day Month Year).
• URL: Include the full URL.

Example:

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. “The Egg – A Short Story.” YouTube, uploaded by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 1 Oct. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx.

Your in-text citation would typically be the author’s last name (or username) and the title of the video, e.g., (Kurzgesagt, “The Egg”).

Chicago Style Citation

Chicago style offers two main systems: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. We’ll focus on the Notes and Bibliography style, which is often used in history and some other humanities disciplines.

Bibliography Entry:

Author, A. A. “Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded Month Day, Year. URL.

Note (Footnote or Endnote):

Author, “Title of Video,” YouTube, uploaded Month Day, Year, URL.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Author: Same as APA and MLA.
• Title of Video: Enclose in quotation marks.
• YouTube: Italicize the platform name.
• Uploaded Month Day, Year: Provide the upload date.
• URL: Include the full URL.

Example (Bibliography):

Veritasium. “Why is the Sky Blue?” YouTube, uploaded June 13, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx.

Example (Note):

Veritasium, “Why is the Sky Blue?,” YouTube, uploaded June 13, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx.

Your footnote or endnote would include the full citation, and you’d use a shortened version (e.g., Veritasium, “Sky Blue”) if you cite the video again later.

IEEE Style Citation

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) style is often used in engineering and computer science fields. It primarily uses a numbered citation system.

[#] Author, “Title of video,” Website Name, Date Published. [Online]. Available: URL. [Accessed Date].

Deconstructing the components:

• [#]: The citation number within your paper.
• Author: Use the real name or username.
• “Title of video”: Enclose in quotation marks.
• Website Name: Italicize the platform name (YouTube).
• Date Published: Provide the date the video was uploaded (Day Month Year).
• [Online]: Indicate that the source is online in square brackets.
• Available: URL: Provide the full URL.
• [Accessed Date]: Indicate the date you accessed the video in square brackets (Day Month Year).

Example:

[1] SmarterEveryDay, “Backwards Brain Bicycle – Smarter Every Day 133,” YouTube, 17 Mar. 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx. [Accessed: 28 Oct. 2023].

In your text, you’d refer to the video using the citation number in square brackets, e.g., [1].

FAQs: YouTube Video Citations Explained

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of citing YouTube videos:

1. What if the author and uploader are different?

If the author of the content is different from the uploader, prioritize citing the original author if known. In MLA, you would include “uploaded by” to clarify the uploader. In APA, you’d still cite the author and might mention the uploader in the text if relevant. Chicago style is similar to MLA in this respect.

2. What if there’s no visible author?

If you can’t determine the real name of the author, use the YouTube username as the author. This is perfectly acceptable and common practice.

3. How do I cite a specific part of a YouTube video?

While not formally addressed in all style guides, you can add a timestamp or a description of the segment in your citation. For example, in APA, you might say: (National Geographic, 2023, 0:30-1:00) to indicate you’re referencing a specific 30-second segment. You can also mention the timestamp in your prose.

4. Is citing a YouTube video considered a primary or secondary source?

It depends on the context. If the video is the subject of your analysis (e.g., analyzing the filmmaking techniques), it’s a primary source. If the video presents information that you’re using to support your argument, it’s a secondary source.

5. Can I cite a comment on a YouTube video?

Yes, you can cite a comment, but it’s generally not recommended unless the comment provides unique or essential information. Treat it similarly to citing a forum post. Include the commenter’s username, the date, and the text of the comment.

6. What if a YouTube video is removed after I cite it?

Unfortunately, this happens. If you have a copy of the video, you can mention that you have a personal archive. Otherwise, you can note in your citation that the video was available on a specific date but is no longer accessible. Consider using a tool like the Wayback Machine to archive the video when you first cite it.

7. Are there any tools that can help me generate YouTube citations?

Yes, many citation generators can help you create citations for YouTube videos. However, always double-check the generated citation for accuracy, as these tools aren’t always perfect.

8. Is it ethical to cite a YouTube video?

Yes, absolutely. As long as you cite it correctly and the video is a reliable source of information, it’s perfectly ethical to cite it.

9. When shouldn’t I cite a YouTube video?

Avoid citing YouTube videos if the information is unreliable, biased, or readily available from a more reputable source (e.g., a peer-reviewed journal article). Critical evaluation is key.

10. How do I handle citing multiple videos from the same channel?

Follow the standard citation format for each video. In your bibliography or works cited list, each video will have its own separate entry.

11. Does the video’s license affect whether I can cite it?

The video’s license (e.g., Creative Commons) primarily affects how you can reuse the video’s content, not whether you can cite it. You can always cite a video to give credit to its creator, regardless of the license.

12. Is there a difference in citing a YouTube Short versus a regular YouTube video?

No, the citation format is generally the same for both YouTube Shorts and regular YouTube videos. Treat them as you would any other YouTube video.

By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of each citation style, you can confidently and accurately cite YouTube videos in your academic and professional work. Remember, proper citation is a cornerstone of intellectual integrity and ensures that you’re giving credit where credit is due.