How to Cite a Video in APA-Youtube, Movies, Documentaries

Citations in APA do not just reference typical research papers; a lot more fall under the umbrella that you probably haven’t thought about. One such source is videos, which you must cite properly when writing a paper, creating a research project, or publishing your work. However, you don’t handle their citation like books, articles, or websites. So, how to cite a video in APA?

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to do it. Let’s cite your videos like a pro!

How to Cite a Video in APA – General Guide

Before we jump into what the APA style includes and how it works, it’s worth getting the hang of the general video citation guidelines. Since this type of citation works differently, a few basic principles will save you the hassle of getting things wrong:

• APA 7th Edition: Published in October 2019, the 7th edition is the most current APA Publication Manual style. When citing, stick to the APA 7th style and know the guidelines well beforehand.
• Author First: Remember, your citation starts with the individual or organization that uploaded your video. If the author’s real name is unknown, you can go with the username of the video uploader.
• Source Information: You’ll also need to include the name of the site that hosted the video (e.g., YouTube). Also, don’t forget to add the URL during the video citation.
• Publication Date of the Video: Generally, videos have clear publication dates you’ll need to add for citation. For films and videos, simply adding the year will do the work for you.

How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA

When wondering ‘how to cite a video in APA,’ you probably always think of YouTube video citations. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed as a first-timer since videos don’t work like your typical research sources. However, once you understand the Official APA® Style and Grammar Guidelines, the citation becomes pretty simple.

Here’s how to cite a YouTube video in APA:

Person/Organization Name, A.A. (Year, Month Day). Title [Video]. Youtube. URL

Typically, use the Author’s name in the beginning. However, if not specified, use the uploading organization’s name instead. Also, the same format works for platforms besides YouTube, such as Vimeo. When citing, simply replace ‘YouTube’ with the video site it’s from, and you’re golden.

Example:

Let’s say you watched a YouTube video called 14 Fascinating Facts About Jellyfish by a channel named Facts About. Here’s what the citation would look like:

Facts About. (2015, September 22). 14 Fascinating Facts About Jellyfish [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMaG29eb6qw 

Author vs. Channel Names

When understanding how to cite a video in APA, it’s worth noting that the author (marking the beginning of the citation) isn’t always the individual or group that made the video. Instead, the uploader is cited as the author to help readers find the video. However, if the uploader has a real name that’s different from the channel name, include both. The format goes like this:

Real Name. [Channel Name]. (Year, Month Day). Title [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/example

Example:

Let’s say a video was uploaded by someone named Steven Melvis, whose YouTube channel is called “CreativeVibes.” You’d write it like this:

Melvis, S. [CreativeVibes]. (Year, Month Day). Title [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/example

Note: After citation of a video in APA, always double-check to see whether the URL is correct for proper referencing.

How to Cite a YouTube Channel

If you’re referring to an entire YouTube channel instead of a specific video, the way you go about citation changes a bit. Don’t include the year the channel started— simply put “n.d,” i.e., no date, since you’re focusing only on the channel’s content.

However, when citing a YouTube channel, replace the ‘Video’ in brackets with ‘YouTube Channel.’ Since the channel’s content keeps changing over time, you must add the retrieval date too. This is what the YouTube channel citation formats will look like:

Last name, Initials [Channel name]. (n.d.). Home [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

How to Cite a Movie or Documentary in APA

Once you know how to cite a YouTube video in APA, you might want to switch gears to see how the process works for a movie or documentary. Generally, movies are cited much differently than YouTube videos, mainly because they involve more people than just the authors. More so, they often don’t have convenient online links either, so here’s how to handle them:

First, list the directors (in place of the authors) and the production company as the publisher. Following the year, add the movie title in italics with the label ‘Film’ in square brackets right after. Here’s what the basic format looks like:

Director Last name, Initials. (Year). Movie title [Film]. Production Company.

Example:

When citing Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg, here’s what APA-style citation should look like:

Spielberg, S. (1993). Schindler’s List [Film]. Universal Pictures.

(This makes it perfectly clear who directed the film and who produced it).

How to Cite a Video From a Website in APA

When learning how to cite a video in APA, it’s equally essential to learn citations for videos other than those embedded on YouTube. The APA citation guide is slightly different for videos from websites than those on YouTube or other streaming sites. While you’ll essentially use a similar format, you’ll have to adjust the information for what’s available:

Here’s what the basic format looks like for citation of a video from a cite (in APA 7th style):

Creator’s Last Name, First Initial(s). (Director, if known). (Year, Month Day). Title of the Video [Video]. Website Name. URL

Example:

Let’s say you watched a tutorial video called How to Bathe Babies on a website called Baby Care, with the creator’s name Lisa Johnson. This is what the citation would look like:

Johnson, L. (2023, August 7). How to Bathe Babies [Video]. Baby Care. https://www.babycare.com/example 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing Videos in APA

When learning how to cite a video in APA, it’s only natural to make certain mistakes. But these mistakes don’t always lead to the best outcomes and must be avoided at all costs. Even if you’re using the best writing apps, there’s no getting around with citation errors. Here’s the list of top five mistakes to avoid:

1. Broken URLs

Your links are meant to lead the reader directly to the intended video. It’s essential to double-check URLs to ensure they’re working and correct.

2. Missing or Incorrect Publication Date

Dates matter a lot, especially when citing a video in APA. Don’t forget to add the publication year, too. However, when citing the whole channel, you can use ‘n.d’ (no date).

3. Misplacing or Skipping Critical Elements

While learning how to cite a video in APA, folks tend to mix up elements or miss out on some. For instance, some put the title before the date, while others forget brackets or to italicize the title. Although these may seem small, they lead to incorrect citations.

4. Forgetting the Retrieval Date

When citing the channel, a retrieval date is a critical element to remember. This is because the content on the channel keeps evolving with time.

5. Using the Video Creator as the Author

Some people assume that the individual or organization that created a video is the author when citing it. However, it’s imperative to remember that in APA, the uploader of the video is listed as the author.

Arvin: Your Ultimate Citation Companion to Nail APA Style Effortlessly

Are you struggling to wrap your head around how to cite a video in APA? Well, fret not; Arvin has you covered!

Powered by GPT-4 and a bunch of incredibly smart tools, Arvin is pro at instant citations in APA style. Whether it’s a YouTube video, a documentary, or a whole channel, the platform knows all the rules and formats, so you can cite all your videos within seconds. As one of the best free AI content generators in 2024, Arvin has the power to conquer it all!

FAQs

What if the Video I Wish to Cite Has No Publication Date?

If there’s no publication date during the citation of a video in APA, you can use ‘n.d.’ (no date) in place of the year. While this is more common for citing channels, it’s also acceptable for videos with no dates.

What Should I Do If the Video URL is Broken Or Not Working?

If the URL is broken or no longer working, you can include a note in your citation informing the readers about the key notes of the source. This helps them understand the origins of the video, even if they don’t have access to the original one.

How Can I Cite a Video With Multiple Directors?

In case the video you’re citing has multiple directors, use (Directors) instead and put commas between their names. Also, add an ampersand (&) prior to adding the final name for added clarity to the readers.

Conclusion

Learning how to cite a video in APA isn’t too complex, but it takes careful navigation to get it right. If you still find citation a hassle, Arvin is here to help. Chat with the platform today and cite all your videos as soon as you’re done with your projects. Sounds like an awesome deal? We bet! Give Arvin a try today!