Mistakes Checklist
Common APA TikTok Video Citation Mistakes
Published studies report citation/reference error rates between 25-54%. Use this page to catch the most frequent formatting failures before submission.
Top mistakes to avoid
- ⚠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.
Wrong vs correct examples
Missing [TikTok] descriptor
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair aboard the ISS. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair aboard the ISS [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
APA 7 requires a format descriptor in square brackets after the content description — add [TikTok] to identify the source type.
Creator profile URL instead of video URL
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
Always use the direct URL to the specific video, not the creator's profile page. This allows readers to locate the exact source.
Year-only date instead of full date
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. (2024). Watch how astronauts wash their hair [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). Watch how astronauts wash their hair [TikTok]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345
Social media posts require the full date (year, month, day) in APA. Include the exact upload date visible on the post.
Fix checklist
- ✓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).
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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