One challenge that students may face is figuring out how to cite different types of sources. A citation for a book reference, for example, will look somewhat different than that of an online source. Video content is becoming an increasingly important source of information, so how exactly would you cite something like a YouTube video or other online video in APA format?
APA Format for a YouTube Video
APA format for online videos is similar to that of other types of digital media and online content. The format should be:
The name of the person and/or the name of the account that uploaded the videoThe specific date the video was uploaded in parenthesesThe title of the video in italicsThe description “[Video]” in brackets after the titleThe site name (YouTube) and the full YouTube URL
Some types of electronic sources need to be surrounded by brackets. According to APA’s official style guide, the brackets should surround the necessary content with no spaces between the text and the brackets [like this]. Because many online video creators utilize pseudonyms online, you should also include the author’s screen name in brackets when relevant.
Choosing a Video to Cite in APA Format
It’s important that the YouTube videos you cite are both reliable and up to date. According to APA guidelines, you can determine whether a source is reliable by looking at the expertise of the author and the vetting standards of the organization or group that published the video. For instance, many established organizations such as American Psychological Association (APA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have YouTube channels and publish videos that would be considered reliable sources. Even individual researchers or scientists may publish their research on YouTube—just be sure to do the research on the individual to be sure that the videos they post are coming directly from them (and not from someone else), and that this person is accredited or credentialed in the area of study they’re presenting. Try to use up-to-date videos as often as possible to be sure you’re including the most recent research in your paper.
Citing a Video Podcast in APA Format
Video podcasts are another type of video format that you may want to cite. Such podcasts often feature interviews with experts, which can be a great source of unique information for your paper. If you are citing a video podcast, whether it is hosted on YouTube or published on the author’s own website, use the following format: As you can see in the example above, you should begin by listing the author, then identifying them as the host of the program in parentheses. Next, include the date. After that, list the title of the episode, the episode number in parentheses, and the media type in brackets. This should then be followed by the name of the video podcast, the name of the website it was retrieved from, and the URL. Also note in the above example that the title of the video podcast is in italics. The official APA publication manual states that when written, video, or audio posts are part of an overarching work (such as a blog or podcast series), the title of the total work should be included in italics. This follows the same format that you would use if you were citing an individual chapter that was part of a book.
A Word From Verywell
APA format has many different rules and guidelines for citing various types of sources, so you should always check the official guidebook to make sure that your citations and references are correct. Whenever you cite an online source—whether it’s a webpage or a video—you should follow the basic rules for citing electronic sources. This includes listing the author of the video, the date, the title, and the online location of the video.
