How to Cite a YouTube Video in MLA (9th Edition): Complete Student Guide
If you want to cite a YouTube video in MLA, you’re not alone. Many students struggle with MLA format, especially when citing time-based media like online videos, streaming video platforms, and social content. (How to cite a YouTube video MLA style)
This complete guide from IvyResearchWriters.com explains:
- How to cite a YouTube video in MLA style
- Proper MLA in-text citations
- How to format a works cited entry
- What to do if the author is different from the uploader
- How to avoid plagiarism
- MLA 8 vs MLA 9 differences
Let’s break everything down clearly and correctly.
What Is MLA Style?
MLA style (Modern Language Association) is a citation style commonly used in:
- Literature
- Humanities
- Film studies
- Cultural studies
- Communication
- Arts
The current version is the MLA 9th edition, though many professors still refer to MLA 8 guidelines.
MLA format requires:
✔ A Works Cited page
✔ Proper in-text citation (also called a parenthetical citation)
✔ Consistent formatting
✔ Avoidance of plagiarism
How to Cite a YouTube Video in MLA Format
When citing a YouTube video in MLA style, you follow the MLA core elements format.
Basic MLA Citation Format for a YouTube Video
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Video.” Title of the Container, uploaded by Uploader’s Name, publication date, URL.
Example 1: Author and Uploader Are the Same
Brown, James. “How to Write an MLA Essay.” YouTube, 12 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
Example 2: Author Is Different from Uploader
If the video’s creator (author of the video) is different from the account that uploaded the video:
Smith, Anna. “Understanding Shakespeare.” YouTube, uploaded by Literature Academy, 10 Oct. 2022, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
Here:
- Author = video’s creator
- Uploader = account that uploaded the video
Example 3: No Author Listed (Omit the Author Element)
If no clear author is available, omit the author element and start the citation with the video title.
“How to Format MLA Works Cited.” YouTube, uploaded by StudySmart, 5 Sept. 2021, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
Key MLA Formatting Rules
✔ Put the title of the video in quotation marks
✔ Italicize the title of the container (YouTube)
✔ Use title case for video titles
✔ Include the publication date
✔ Include the URL
✔ No DOI is required for YouTube
✔ Start the citation with the author when available
What Is the “Container” in MLA?
In MLA, YouTube is considered the title of the container because the video exists within the YouTube platform.
If citing Vimeo, replace YouTube with Vimeo.
Example:
Johnson, Mark. “Film Analysis Techniques.” Vimeo, 15 Jan. 2022, www.vimeo.com/xxxxx.
How to Write the MLA In-Text Citation (Parenthetical)
MLA in-text citations are short and appear in parentheses.
Basic MLA In-Text Citation Format
(Author’s Last Name)
Example:
(Brown)
If no author:
(“How to Format MLA Works Cited”)
MLA in-text citations do NOT include the year (unlike APA format).
Quoting a Specific Timestamp
For time-based media like streaming video, include a timestamp:
(Brown 2:45–3:10)
This helps readers locate the exact section you cite.
How MLA 8 vs MLA 9 Differs
The transition from MLA 8 to MLA 9:
- More flexibility in format
- Encourages including URLs
- Clearer guidance for time-based media
- Emphasis on containers
Most modern research guides (including Purdue OWL) follow MLA 9th edition.
How to Cite a YouTube Video in MLA Style (Step-by-Step)
If you want to cite YouTube correctly:
1️⃣ Locate the author’s name
2️⃣ Identify who uploaded the video
3️⃣ Find the publication date
4️⃣ Copy the full URL
5️⃣ Format according to MLA citation style
6️⃣ Add the entry to your works cited list
7️⃣ Use a proper MLA in-text citation
What If You Want to Cite a Movie or Streaming Video?
MLA format for citing a video differs slightly for movies or streaming video platforms like Netflix:
The Social Network. Directed by David Fincher, Columbia Pictures, 2010.
For streaming:
The Social Network. Directed by David Fincher, Columbia Pictures, 2010. Netflix, www.netflix.com.
Need MLA Formatting Help?
If you’re confused between MLA 8th and MLA 9th edition rules, unsure how to cite YouTube videos, or worried about citation errors, IvyResearchWriters.com can help.
How to Cite a Song in MLA
When you cite a song on YouTube:
Adele. “Hello.” YouTube, uploaded by AdeleVEVO, 22 Oct. 2015, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
In-text citation:
(Adele)
Common MLA Citation Mistakes
❌ Forgetting quotation marks around the video title
❌ Not italicizing YouTube
❌ Leaving out the uploader
❌ Omitting the publication date
❌ Not including URLs
❌ Confusing MLA with APA format
❌ Copying transcript text without citation (plagiarism)
MLA Citation Generator: Helpful but Not Perfect
An MLA citation generator can help create MLA citations, but always check:
- Proper title case
- Italics formatting
- Correct order of elements
- Accurate author attribution
Just like an APA citation generator, MLA generators can make errors.
Works Cited Page Formatting in MLA
Your Works Cited page should:
✔ Be on a separate page
✔ Be titled “Works Cited” (centered)
✔ Be double-spaced
✔ Use hanging indentation
✔ List entries alphabetically
Example of a Complete MLA Works Cited Entry
Brown, James. “How to Write an MLA Essay.” YouTube, 12 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
How to Avoid Plagiarism When Citing YouTube
Plagiarism includes:
- Copying transcript text without citation
- Paraphrasing without parenthetical citation
- Using ideas without credit
- Failing to include the source in the works cited list
Even if you cite online content, proper formatting matters.
Quick MLA Checklist
Before submitting your paper, confirm:
✔ Author listed correctly
✔ Video title in quotation marks
✔ YouTube italicized
✔ Publication date included
✔ URL included
✔ Works cited entry formatted properly
✔ MLA in-text citation matches works cited entry
✔ Timestamp included for direct quotes
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At IvyResearchWriters.com, we provide:
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✔ MLA works cited page correction
✔ In-text citation verification
✔ Citation style comparison (MLA vs APA format)
✔ Plagiarism review
✔ Full research paper formatting
Whether you need to cite a YouTube video, cite a movie, cite a song, or cite online sources in MLA style, our experts ensure academic accuracy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cite a YouTube video in MLA format?
To cite YouTube videos in official MLA (9th edition) format, you must follow the core elements structure used in MLA style.
🔹 Basic MLA Works Cited Format:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Video.” Name of the Website, uploaded by Name of the Account, Day Month Year, URL.
Step-by-step breakdown:
✔ Start with the artist’s name or video creator (if available).
✔ If the creator is different from the uploader, include “uploaded by” followed by the name of the account.
✔ Put the video title in quotation marks.
✔ Italicize the name of the website (YouTube).
✔ Include the date the video was uploaded.
✔ Add the full URL.
Example 1 (Creator and uploader are the same):
Smith, John. “How to Write an MLA Essay.” YouTube, 12 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
Example 2 (Uploader is different):
Brown, Alicia. “Understanding Shakespeare.” YouTube, uploaded by Literature Academy, 10 Oct. 2022, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
If no author is available, begin the citation with the title (this is called a citation with the title):
“How to Format MLA Works Cited.” YouTube, uploaded by StudySmart, 5 Sept. 2021, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
MLA 8th edition formatting is very similar, but MLA 9 clarifies digital citation rules more precisely.
If you’re unsure how to format your citation correctly, IvyResearchWriters.com can review and format your Works Cited page professionally.
How to do in-text citations on MLA YouTube?
In MLA, in-text citations are called parenthetical citations.
🔹 Basic MLA In-Text Format:
(Author’s Last Name)
Example:
(Smith)
If no author is listed, use a shortened version of the title:
(“How to Format MLA”)
Notice:
- MLA does NOT require the year in-text.
- If the title is long, shorten it to the first key words.
Quoting with a Timestamp:
If citing a specific moment in the video:
(Smith 2:45)
This helps readers cite the relevant section of the time-based media.
How to cite a YouTube video in text citations?
If the author’s name appears in your sentence:
Smith explains MLA formatting clearly in his tutorial.
No parenthetical is needed unless referencing a timestamp.
If no author is available:
According to the video, MLA format requires consistent structure (“How to Format MLA”).
Again, use a shortened version of the title for clarity.
Always ensure your in-text citation matches the Works Cited entry exactly.
How do I list a YouTube video as a reference?
In MLA, references appear on a Works Cited page, not a reference list (APA uses “References”).
🔹 Works Cited Entry Structure:
Author. “Title of Video.” Name of the Website, uploaded by Name of the Account, include the date, URL.
Key reminders:
✔ Include the date the video was uploaded.
✔ Include the name of the website (YouTube).
✔ Use proper MLA punctuation.
✔ Use quotation marks for the video title.
✔ Italicize YouTube.
Example Works Cited Entry:
Doe, Michael. “How to Analyze Poetry.” YouTube, uploaded by English Help Hub, 4 May 2022, www.youtube.com/xxxxx.
Quick MLA Checklist on Citing a Video
Before submitting your assignment:
✔ Did you cite YouTube videos correctly?
✔ Did you include the artist’s name or creator?
✔ Did you include the date the video was uploaded?
✔ Did you use the proper MLA format?
✔ Did you shorten the title correctly for in-text citation?
✔ Does your Works Cited entry match your in-text citation?
Failure to follow official MLA formatting can result in lost marks.
