Mistakes Checklist
Common MLA 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
- ⚠Using the creator's profile URL instead of the video URL.
- ⚠Not putting the caption in quotation marks.
- ⚠Forgetting to italicize the platform name.
- ⚠Using year-only date.
Fix checklist
- ✓Use the video's caption as the title, in quotation marks.
- ✓Italicize *TikTok* as the container title.
- ✓Use the video permalink — not the creator's profile page.
- ✓Use day-month-year date format with abbreviated months.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the permalink for a TikTok video?
On the TikTok website, open the video and copy the URL from your browser. On mobile, tap "Share" and then "Copy Link."
What if the TikTok video has no caption?
Write a brief descriptive title in square brackets to identify the content (e.g., [Video of aurora borealis from ISS]).
Build the corrected citation now
Use the template and guide, then generate the final citation from verified academic sources.