To cite a YouTube video in 2025, include the creator’s name, publication date, video title, platform nameog URL. For example, in APA style, it looks like this:
Creator Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Video title [Video]. YouTube. URL.
Citation formats vary based on style guides like APA, MLA, or Chicago, but the essential elements remain the same — always credit the creator and include a direct link to the video.
A better way to cite a YouTube video is to transcribe it into text first. You can brug VOMO.ai, which generates the transcription and an AI summary within seconds, allowing you to analyze and reference the video easily.

How to Cite YouTube Videos in APA Format (2025 Update)
APA Style (7th Edition) is widely used for academic writing in psychology, education, and social sciences.
Here’s how to format a YouTube citation correctly:
Structure:
Author, A. A. [Screen name]. (year, month day). Title of the video [Video]. YouTube. URL
Et eksempel:
Khan Academy. (2023, August 12). Introduction to probability [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/xxxxx
Common mistakes include using the uploader’s name instead of the creator’s actual name, or omitting the publication date. Always cross-check that the video is publicly accessible and the link is active.
MLA Format: How to Cite a YouTube Video Correctly
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is typically used for humanities papers. The citation formula is simple yet precise:
Structure:
“Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Date of publication, URL.
Et eksempel:
“The Science of Sleep.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, 20 July 2023, https://youtu.be/xxxxx.
MLA format prioritizes the video title first, emphasizing the content rather than the creator as an author. This makes it ideal when referencing multiple videos from the same source.
How to Cite YouTube Videos in Chicago Style
I Chicago Manual of Style, video citations may appear as either notes or bibliography entries depending on your format.
Structure (Note):
Channel Name, “Title of Video,” YouTube video, Month Day, Year, URL.
Structure (Bibliography):
Channel Name. “Title of Video.” YouTube video, Month Day, Year. URL.
Chicago style provides flexibility — great for research projects or professional articles where sources include multimedia content alongside traditional materials.
Common Citation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many writers forget that citing online videos is about more than URLs. To cite properly:
- Confirm the video’s authenticity (official publisher or verified channel).
- Inkluder den exact upload date, not the viewing date.
- Maintain consistency across all your references.
Always track publication details before copying a citation, since YouTube video information can change over time.
Why Proper Citation Matters for Creators and Researchers
Correctly citing YouTube videos protects both you and the creator from plagiarism and misinformation. It ensures transparency and gives readers a verified path to the original source.
YouTube now plays a crucial role in education and research — citing correctly means you respect intellectual property and enhance your credibility.
Extra Tip: Managing YouTube Sources Efficiently
Before citation, you might want to Download YouTube Videos to save educational clips for offline reference (only if allowed by YouTube’s terms of service). Keeping local copies helps you check content details accurately when crafting your citations or academic materials.
How Audio Extraction Can Assist in YouTube Citation
Sometimes you only need the spoken content from a video — not the visuals. You can Extract Audio to review exact quotes or dialogue transcripts. This ensures your citations are word-accurate and contextually correct, especially for educational or linguistic research.
Afsluttende tanker
Learning how to cite a YouTube video properly in 2025 is simple once you understand the required structure for each format. Whether you’re writing essays, reports, or digital content, accurate referencing strengthens credibility and academic integrity.
✅ Key takeaway: Always include author, date, title, source, and URL — and follow the citation style that fits your discipline.