APA · 7th Edition
How to Cite a TikTok Video in APA 7th Edition
Learn how to cite TikTok videos in APA 7th edition format. Includes template, formatting rules, and real citation example.
Quick Answer
To cite a TikTok video in APA 7th edition, use: Author, A. A. [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). Video description [TikTok]. TikTok. URL. Start with the creator's real name or display name, then their handle in square brackets. Include the exact upload date with day, month, and year. Use the video caption as the title — if there is no caption, write a brief description of the content. Add [TikTok] in square brackets after the title to identify the format. Write "TikTok" as the site name and end with the direct video URL (not the creator's profile page). For in-text citations, use (Author, Year): (NASA, 2024). Example: NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair aboard the International Space Station [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345. Note that TikTok is generally considered a non-scholarly source — cite it when the content itself is the subject of your analysis. CiteMe generates correctly formatted social media citations in seconds.
Quick answer: To cite a tiktok video in APA (7th Edition), use this template: Author, A. A. [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). Video description [TikTok]. TikTok. URL
Citation template
Full example
Reference / Bibliography
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair aboard the International Space Station [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
In-text citation
(NASA, 2024)
Source breakdown
- author
- NASA [@nasa]
- title
- Watch how astronauts wash their hair aboard the International Space Station
- site
- TikTok
- year
- 2024, November 15
- url
- https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
Tips
- ✓Use the video caption or a brief description as the title.
- ✓Add "[TikTok]" in square brackets after the title.
- ✓Use the URL of the specific video — not the creator's profile page.
- ✓Include the exact upload date (day, month, year).
Common mistakes
- ⚠Forgetting the "[TikTok]" descriptor in brackets.
- ⚠Using the creator's profile URL instead of the video URL.
- ⚠Omitting the real name and using only the handle.
- ⚠Writing just the year instead of the full date.
Frequently asked questions
What do I use as the title for a TikTok video?
Use the video's caption as the title. If the caption is very long, include the opening sentence or a descriptive phrase. If there is no caption, write a brief description in brackets.
Is a TikTok video a reliable academic source?
TikTok is considered an informal or non-scholarly source. Cite it when the content itself is the subject of analysis or when no other source captures the same event or statement.
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