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Here’s how to reference a video using APA style (7th Edition) with examples

APA video citation

Learn to cite various YouTube video types in APA style, complete with examples and formats.

When should you cite a YouTube video in APA format?

If you use important info, quotes, or ideas from a YouTube video, playlist, or interview in your work, you need to cite it. Citing in APA format gives credit to the creator, keeps integrity, and makes your argument stronger. This also helps readers find the video, playlist, interview, channel, or comment you mentioned.

Include a direct link to the video if it’s online and public. This clears up any confusion about where your info came from.

Here’s how to cite YouTube videos in APA:

  • Make video titles italic.
  • Consider the uploader as the author.
  • Add details like [Video], [YouTube channel], or [YouTube playlist] for clarity.
  • Use “n.d.” if the date isn’t known.

To cite a YouTube video in APA style, follow this structure:

Reference List Entry:

  • Format: Author or Channel. (Year, Month Day). Video title in italics [Video]. Website. URL
  • Example: Harvard University. (2024, May 23). Maria Ressa gives the commencement speech | Harvard Graduation 2024 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dETo7ECQKc

In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical: (Author, Year)
  • Narrative: Creator [Username] (Year) mentions that…
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical: (Harvard University, 2024)
  • Narrative: Harvard University (2024) mentions that…

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To cite a YouTube video in APA when the username is not the same as the real name, follow these steps:

For the Reference List:

  • Use the format: Real Name, F. M. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video]. Website. URL
  • Example: Smith, J. [CoolScience]. (2025, March 1). Exploring the universe [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123xyz

For In-text Citations:

  • Parenthetical: (Channel Name, Year)
  • Narrative: Channel Name (Year) mentions that…
  • Example for Parenthetical: (CoolScience, 2025)
  • Example for Narrative: CoolScience (2025) mentions that…

To reference a YouTube livestream in APA format, follow these steps:

Reference List Entry:

  • Format: Author or Channel. (Year, Month Day). Title of video in italics [Video]. Website. URL
  • Example: NASA. (2024, April 8). *2024 total solar eclipse: Through the eyes of NASA (official broadcast)* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MJY_ptQW1o

In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical: (Channel/Uploader, Year)
  • Narrative: Channel/Uploader (Year) states that…
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical: (NASA, 2024)
  • Narrative: NASA (2024) states that…

How do you cite a YouTube channel using APA format?

For the Reference List:

  • Format: Channel Name. (n.d.). Name of channel [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL
  • Example: National Geographic. (n.d.). National Geographic [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVm7bg6pXKo1Pr6k5kxG9A

For In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical – (Channel/Uploader, n.d.)
  • Narrative – Channel/Uploader (Year) mentions that…
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical – (National Geographic, n.d.)
  • Narrative – National Geographic (n.d.) mentions that…

To mention a YouTube playlist in APA style, follow these steps:

Reference List Entry:

  • Format: Name of the author or channel. (No date). Playlist title in italics [Playlist]. YouTube. URL
  • Example: NASA. (No date). NASA Documentaries [Playlist]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2aBZuCeDwlQAGW6uo18_FMl0eIhkeOOv

In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical – (Channel or Uploader, no date)
  • Narrative – Channel or Uploader (Year) mentions that…
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical – (NASA, no date)
  • Narrative – NASA (no date) mentions that…

How do you cite a private YouTube video in APA format?

For a YouTube video that’s private and not public, use APA Style to cite it as personal communication. Readers can’t see it, so only cite it within the text, not in the reference list.

In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical: Use (Name, personal communication, Month Day, Year).
  • Narrative: Write Name (personal communication, Month Day, Year).
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical: Write (J. Doe, personal communication, April 10, 2025).
  • Narrative: J. Doe (personal communication, April 10, 2025) shared insights in a private YouTube video not accessible to the public.

How can you cite a YouTube comment using APA style?

For the Reference List:

  • Format: Commenter’s Last Name, First Initial or Username. (Year, Month Day). Comment on “Title of Video” [Comment] or first 20 words of the comment. YouTube in italics. Video URL
  • Example: Smith, L. (2024, April 9). Comment on “2024 total solar eclipse: Through the eyes of NASA (official broadcast)” [Comment]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MJY_ptQW1o

For In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical: (Commenter’s Last Name, Year)
  • Narrative: Commenter’s Last Name (Year) mentions that…
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical: (Smith, 2024)
  • Narrative: Smith (2024) mentions that…

To cite a YouTube video with third-party speakers in APA style, follow these steps:

Reference List Entry:

  • Format: Author’s Last Name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). *Video title* [Video]. YouTube. URL
  • Example: CNBC Television. (2025, April 1). *Watch CNBC’s full interview with NASA’s Crew-9 astronauts* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzWfNzl8GwM

In-text Citation:

  • Format:
  • Parenthetical: (Channel/Uploader, Year)
  • Narrative: Channel/Uploader (Year) states that…
  • Example:
  • Parenthetical: (CNBC Television, 2025)
  • Narrative:CNBC Television (2025) states that…