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Citing a YouTube video seems like it should work the same as citing a webpage. You have a title, a URL, a date – how complicated can it be?
More complicated than it looks, actually. The author question trips up most students: do you list the person who appears in the video, the channel name, or both? And what about the bracketed descriptor, the timestamp, and the difference between a video uploaded by an individual versus an organization? Here’s how APA 7 handles all of it.
The basic APA 7 YouTube citation format
Author, A. A. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video in sentence case [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/…
A few things to note off the bat:
- The video title is italicized and in sentence case – only the first word, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns are capitalized.
- [Video] goes in square brackets after the title – not italicized, to identify the source type.
- YouTube is listed as the source – not the channel name or the website URL without the specific video link.
- Include the full URL to the specific video.
The author question: real name, channel name, or both?
This is where most students get stuck. APA 7 says to use the name that appears on the channel, which could be a real name or a channel name – or both. Here’s how to handle each scenario.
Individual with a real name and a channel name
When a person posts under their own name but also has a channel name, list the real name first, then the channel name in square brackets.
Thorne, A. [SquatchTalk]. (2025, March 14). Does sasquatch vocalization follow seasonal patterns? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
Channel with no individual author name
When the channel doesn’t represent a named individual – or when you can’t identify who runs it – use the channel name alone in the author position, without square brackets.
SquatchTalk. (2024, August 22). Pacific Northwest field research: Summer 2024 findings [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
Organization or institution
When a recognized organization or institution posts a video under its own name, use the organization name as the author.
American Psychological Association. (2023, October 5). Understanding APA format: A student guide [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
In-text citations for YouTube videos
In-text citations follow the standard APA format – author and year.
Parenthetical citation
(Thorne, 2025)
Narrative citation
Thorne (2025) documented consistent patterns in sasquatch vocalizations across multiple field recording sites in the Pacific Northwest.
When the channel name is the author
(SquatchTalk, 2024)
Citing a specific moment with a timestamp
If you’re quoting or referencing a specific moment in the video, include a timestamp in your in-text citation:
(Thorne, 2025, 2:14)
Common YouTube reference mistakes
- Using the video title as the author – the channel or person who uploaded the video is the author, not the title.
- Forgetting [Video] after the title – the bracketed descriptor is required to identify the source type.
- Using title case for the video title – APA uses sentence case for video titles. Only the first word, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns are capitalized.
- Linking to the channel homepage instead of the specific video – the URL should point directly to the video, not to the channel or YouTube’s front page.
- Omitting the upload date – include the year, month, and day the video was published.
Let PERRLA handle the formatting
YouTube videos are a supported reference type in PERRLA’s reference engine. PERRLA formats the entry correctly automatically – bracketed descriptor, sentence case title, and all. Try PERRLA free for 7 days – no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cite a YouTube video in APA 7?
Use the channel owner’s real name (and channel name in brackets if available), or the channel name alone. Include the upload date, the video title in sentence case and italics, [Video] in square brackets, YouTube as the source, and the direct URL to the video.
Who is the author of a YouTube video in APA 7?
The person or organization that uploaded the video. If the uploader has both a real name and a channel name, list the real name first with the channel name in square brackets. If only a channel name is available, use that alone.
Do you italicize YouTube video titles in APA 7?
Yes. The video title is italicized and formatted in sentence case – only the first word, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns are capitalized.
What does [Video] mean in an APA reference?
[Video] is a bracketed descriptor placed after the title to identify the source type. It is not italicized. APA 7 requires it for YouTube and other online video references.
Can you use a timestamp in an APA 7 YouTube citation?
Yes. If you’re referencing a specific quote or moment from the video, include a timestamp in your in-text citation: (Author, Year, timestamp).
