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How to APA Cite a YouTube Video: A Comprehensive Guide

Alright, let’s cut to the chase. You need to cite a YouTube video in APA style, and you need to get it right. Here’s the core formula:

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

That’s the skeleton key. Now, let’s unpack this, flesh it out, and ensure you understand the nuances. We’ll also dive into a dozen common questions that consistently trip people up. Consider this your definitive guide.

Breaking Down the APA YouTube Citation

Let’s dissect each element of the APA citation formula for a YouTube video:

Author: This isn’t always straightforward. Look for the person or organization responsible for uploading the video. It could be an individual YouTuber (use their channel name if their real name isn’t available), a company, a university, or another institution. Use the channel name if a real name isn’t available.
Date: Include the year, month, and day the video was published, not when you watched it. This is crucial for accurate referencing.
Title of Video: This is the exact title of the video as it appears on YouTube. Italicize the title. Capitalize the first word of the title, the first word after a colon or em dash, and all proper nouns.
[Video]: This is a bracketed descriptor indicating the medium. It clarifies you are citing a video, not a book, article, or something else. It’s always “[Video]”.
YouTube: This indicates the platform on which the video is hosted. Do not italicize.
URL: Provide the full URL of the YouTube video. Ensure it’s a live link.

Example:

Khan Academy. (2020, November 18). Introduction to algebra [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NybHckSEQBI

In-Text Citations

You also need in-text citations when you reference the video in your paper. Here’s how:

Parenthetical Citation: (Khan Academy, 2020)
Narrative Citation: Khan Academy (2020) explains…

If you are referencing a specific timestamp within the video:

(Khan Academy, 2020, 2:15) – This indicates information pulled from the video around the 2 minute and 15 second mark.
Khan Academy (2020, 2:15) points out…

Advanced Considerations

Remember to be meticulous. Accuracy is paramount in academic writing. Check and double-check every detail to ensure compliance with APA guidelines. This adds credibility to your work.

Here are a few additional points to keep in mind:

Use of “et al.”: You do not use “et al.” for YouTube videos, even if the channel has multiple contributors. The channel name is treated as a single author.
Private Videos: If the video is private or unavailable, you can’t cite it in academic work unless the instructor specifically approves it. It needs to be accessible to the reader. Instead, describe what you have witnessed or heard.
Archived Videos: If the video has been removed from YouTube but is archived elsewhere (e.g., the Internet Archive), cite the archived version and include the archive’s URL.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s address some common hurdles and solidify your understanding.

1. What if the uploader’s real name isn’t available, and it’s just a channel name?

Use the channel name as the author. Treat it as a corporate author.

2. How do I cite multiple videos from the same YouTube channel?

Create a separate citation for each video. Do not combine them. In your reference list, list each video alphabetically by title.

3. The video has no upload date. What do I do?

Unfortunately, you cannot accurately cite the source if the video does not provide the upload date.

4. What if the video is part of a playlist? Do I cite the entire playlist?

No. Cite the specific video you used, not the entire playlist.

5. What if the video is embedded in another website?

Cite the YouTube video directly, not the website where it’s embedded. The URL should link to YouTube.

6. Can I cite a YouTube comment?

While APA style doesn’t explicitly address YouTube comments, you can cite them. Here’s a suggested format:

Author of Comment [Screen name]. (Year, Month Day). Text of the comment [Comment on the video Title of Video]. YouTube. URL

7. How do I cite a livestreamed video on YouTube after it’s been archived?

Use the same format as a regular video, but note that it was originally a livestream.

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

8. Do I need to include a retrieval date for YouTube videos?

Generally, no. You only need a retrieval date if the content is likely to change (e.g., a wiki page). YouTube videos are typically stable. However, check with your instructor for their specific requirements.

9. How do I handle videos in a language other than English?

Cite the title in the original language. You can provide an English translation in brackets after the title if it aids comprehension for your reader.

10. What if I’m citing a YouTube Short?

The citation format is the same as for regular YouTube videos. The key is to accurately reflect the source you used.

11. Do I italicize the “[Video]” part of the citation?

No, the bracketed descriptor “[Video]” is not italicized.

12. Where should the citation appear in my paper?

The full citation belongs in your reference list at the end of your paper. The in-text citation appears within the body of your paper where you refer to the video.

By following these guidelines and paying attention to detail, you’ll be able to accurately and effectively cite YouTube videos in APA style. Good luck!