The American Psychological Association (APA) Style is known for its usage in social and behavioral sciences, but today, it is widely used by many other disciplines. YouTube videos are increasingly being cited as sources of information. If you are a content creator or looking to cite a YouTube video, it is important to know the correct format. 

Your academic and creative integrity depends on proper citations. So, without further ado, let’s explore the world of APA format YouTube videos and enhance the integrity of your content.

YouTube Video — The Basics Of Citing In APA Style

The APA format has evolved significantly, with the 7th edition now the most current release. It’s a comprehensive guide covering formatting rules for various sources, including YouTube videos. Therefore, being familiar with the 7th edition is necessary for all content creators aiming to retain their work’s credibility and respect others’ originality.

To cite YouTube videos in APA format of Youtube is not just an academic formality but a critical practice that aids in acknowledging the work of original authors. It’s about paving a reliable pathway for your audience to retrieve your sources, thus enhancing the credibility of your work. 

By attentively mastering the critical components of APA citation – including in-text citation, URL formatting, and precise ‘month-day’ retrieval information – you’ll be creating content that respects the creator community and stands up to scientific scrutiny.

How To Cite A YouTube Video In Apa Style

The YouTube video citation method in APA style begins by identifying the video’s uploader. According to APA 7 guidelines, if it’s an individual, use their screen name. If it’s a group, use the full name. Sticking to this APA citation style considerably simplifies the process of citing sources.

Include the video’s title (in italics and sentence case) and the specific part (if applicable) in square brackets. Follow this with the site’s name (e.g., YouTube) and URL.

While listing the author’s name, start with the last name followed by the first initial. If it’s a YouTube screen name, include it in square brackets after the actual name. Remember, if the screen name, person, or group who uploaded the video is the same as the author, it must appear in the author’s place in the reference list.

When citing a YouTube video or a streaming video from platforms like Vimeo, include a timestamp if you’re referencing a direct quote from the video. When you “cite YouTube,” you’re referring to the whole channel or a specific tab (i.e., “Home,” “Playlists”) on YouTube. However, when you “cite a YouTube video,” you need to specify the individual video you’re citing and the person or group who uploaded it.

Following these guidelines ensures your references are credible and easily retrievable and your content adheres to the best scientific writing practices. Citation generators can further assist, but the most recent APA Manual is the best reference. Master these steps to reduce the hustle of citing and make your publication process smoother.

In-text Citation: Formatting YouTube Videos in APA

In-text citations, crucial for any academic work, ensure you give proper credit to the sources used in your content. Within the APA format of YouTube, these citations consist of the author’s last name and the publication date, enclosed in parentheses.

When citing a YouTube video in APA style, an in-text citation should include the uploader’s last name (or screen name if the actual name is unavailable) and the video’s upload year.

• Here’s an example: According to the American Psychological Association (2013)

Ensure the in-text citation corresponds to the reference list entry to help your audience contest and retrieve your sources effortlessly.

Here’s how to create an in-text citation for YouTube videos:

1. Author’s last name or screen name: The uploader’s last name (or screen name, if the real name is unavailable) acts as the author in APA citation format.
2. Year: Indicate the year the video was uploaded (retrieved from the video’s URL) in parentheses, following the uploader’s name.
3. Timestamp (optional): If you cite a specific part or quote a YouTube video, include the relevant timestamp in minutes and seconds (e.g., 9:30) within the parenthesis. This allows readers to access the exact content you are referring to.

Example: (American Psychological Association, 2013, 9:30)

Direct Quote From A Video: APA Style Citation

A ‘direct quote from a video’ refers to including a verbatim segment of a video (like a YouTube video) in your content. Using direct quotes provides support for your arguments. However, they should be used sparingly. Always remember to include appropriate citations to recognize the source.

In APA citation style, add a timestamp to the parentheses in your in-text citation when citing a direct quote from a video. This shows the moment when the quoted content begins. Write down the minutes and seconds, separated by a colon, right after the video’s release year within the citation.

• For instance: (American Psychological Association, 2023, 21:50)

The APA 7 format advises this format to guide your reader directly to the section of the video you’re citing. Keep this in mind when citing streaming videos or using direct quotations from YouTube videos.

In your reference list, follow this formula:

• Author’s Last Name, F. M. [Username]: The author refers to the person or group who uploaded the video. This may not necessarily be the person or group who created the video. If the author’s real name is available, include it- followed by the username in square brackets. If not, use the username only.
• (Year, Month Day): This shows when the video was posted on YouTube. The format is ‘(Year, Month Day)’.
• Title of video [Video]: Include the video’s title here. Capitalize only the first word of the title, any subtitles, and any proper nouns. Ensure the word ‘Video’ is included in square brackets after the title.
• URL: Provide the direct URL of the video.

As a pro tip, use citation generators for a quick and efficient way of citing a direct quote from a video if you’re unsure.

YouTube Video Citation Information — Necessary Components

You need to understand which citation information is critical when citing an online video, like a YouTube video, in APA style. To appropriately note YouTube videos in APA, you should include the following information:

• Author’s Name: Use the screen name if the author isn’t available. It follows the last name, comma, first initial format.
• Publication Date: Include the year, month, and day. If not available, use “n.d.”
• Title of the Video: Only capitalize the first letter of the video’s title. If available, include the specific part of the video as a timestamp.
• URL: Use the direct URL to the video, not the playlist or channel.

The final citation looks like this: Smith, J. (2018, April 26). I am mastering the art of cooking [Video]. YouTube. 

With the APA citation style, your citations will follow a uniform format, making it easier for your audience to find and verify your sources. Remember, numerous citation generators can support you if needed.

Related FAQs About APA Format of YouTube Video

A few frequently asked questions often arise when citing YouTube videos in APA style. Here, we address some common queries regarding the correct APA citation of YouTube videos.

Q: How do I cite a YouTube video in-text?

A: When citing a YouTube video in-text, use the author’s screen name and the year in brackets. If you quote directly, include the timestamp (hours, minutes, seconds) after the year.

Example: (Smith, 2018, 2:18)

Q: What if the video URL changes?

A: When citing a YouTube video, retrieve the current URL for an updated citation. Making sure the URL is accurate ensures your citation is valid.

Q: How do you cite a YouTube channel in APA?

A: To cite a YouTube channel, format the citation similarly to a YouTube video:

Example: Channel Name. (n.d.). Home [YouTube channel]. YouTube. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

Remember these FAQs while working with the APA format of YouTube, the 7th edition, to cite YouTube videos or channels. Learning and adhering to the proper APA citation guidelines will enhance the credibility of your work.

When And How To Retrieve The Relevant Info

To retrieve the relevant information needed to cite a YouTube video, click on the video to open it. Below the video, you will typically find the username, the date the video was posted, and the title of the video. The URL can be found in the address bar of your web browser.

Despite the digital nature of online resources, they can be subject to changes or even deletion, hence, it’s important to cite the date you last viewed the video. There’s no strict rule in the 7th Edition of APA on this, however, good practice for content creators is to preserve the information as retrieved on a particular Month Day.

YouTube videos can serve as valuable resources for various types of content, and knowing to cite them correctly in APA style gives your work credibility and ensures the original creators receive appropriate recognition. 

Happy citing!