How do I cite a streaming video in MLA Style? (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.,)
Answer
This example should not be used to cite television shows, documentaries, or movies on streaming services or on YouTube. Refer resources on the MLA page of the Library's Citation Help for guidance on how to cite these.
MLA recommends citing a streaming video as follows:
For those videos where the uploader and creator of the video are different:
Last name, First name of creator.* “Title of Video.” Name of Platform Hosting Video,** uploaded by uploader
username, Day Mon. Year of Upload, URL.
Aquino, Carl. “The Valedictorian Speech that will change your life.” YouTube, uploaded by Neel Sharma, 25
May 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCN6FjqDcHg.
For those videos where the uploader and creator are the same person, use only the uploader name:
“Title of Video.” Name of Platform Hosting Video, uploaded by uploader username, Day Mon. Year of
Upload, URL.
“Elbphilharmonie Grand Opening: “Ode to Joy” Light Show.” YouTube, uploaded by Elbphilharmonie Hamburg,
28 May 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JDQ2NkHVc8.
*the creator could be the speaker, performer, etc., but not the name of the person who uploaded it to YouTube unless they also created the content of the video. For example, the creator for Beyonce’s music video would be Beyonce regardless of whether Beyonce posted it or someone else did.
**this could be YouTube, Vimeo, etc.,
If you need further help, contact a librarian.