How to cite a YouTube video in APA

To cite a YouTube video, channel, or comment according to the APA 7th Edition citation style guide, you need the following information:

• Name, username, or account that posted the content
• Title of the video
• URL of the video
• Length or duration of the video
• Title of the website (YouTube)
• Date the video was posted

Where to find citation information for a YouTube video

The information you need for your in-text citation and bibliography is easy to locate on YouTube, as shown in the image below.

Once you have this information, you also need to think about what you want to reference. Are you trying to cite a YouTube Channel, a YouTube Comment, or a YouTube video? Follow our guide for each of the different scenarios:

How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA

To cite a YouTube video in APA Style, you must add the following in order:

1. The Name of the person or the account that uploaded it (only if the name of the author is not available)
2. The date on which the video was uploaded
3. The title of the video (italicized)
4. “[Video]” in square brackets
5. The name of the website (YouTube)
6. Finally, the URL of the video

For example, if you want to cite the following YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DlrqeWrczs

The reference would look like this:

The in-text citation would look like this:
(Standford Graduate School of Business, 2014)

How to Cite a YouTube Channel in APA

To cite a YouTube channel in APA Style, you must add the following in order:

1. The name of the YouTube channel
2. To cite a specific tab (e.g., “Videos,” “Playlists”, “Community”, “Store”), use the name of that tab otherwise use “Home” (italicized)
3. “[YouTube Channel]” in square brackets
4. The name of the website (YouTube)
5. The date of retrieval
6. Finally, the URL of the channel

For example, if you want to cite the following YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/mit/playlists

The reference would look like this:

The in-text citation would look like this:
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology, n.d.)

How to Cite a YouTube Comment in APA

To cite a YouTube comment in APA Style, you must add the following in order:

1. The name of the commentator (Last name, First initial) or his/her username
2. The date on which the comment was made
3. The title of the comment or the first 20 words (italicized)
4. “[Comment on the video “Title of the video]” in square brackets
5. The name of the website (YouTube)
6. Finally, the URL of the video

For example, if you want to cite a comment on the following YouTube video: https://youtu.be/eLelgy5zRv4

The reference would look like this:

The in-text citation would look like this:
(Sharma, 2021)