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.
Wrong vs correct examples
Using creator profile URL instead of video URL
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. "Watch how astronauts wash their hair." *TikTok*, 15 Nov. 2024, www.tiktok.com/@nasa.
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. "Watch how astronauts wash their hair." *TikTok*, 15 Nov. 2024, www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345.
Always link to the specific video, not the creator's profile. The profile URL does not identify which video you are citing.
Forgetting to italicize the platform name
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. "Watch how astronauts wash their hair." TikTok, 15 Nov. 2024, www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345.
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. "Watch how astronauts wash their hair." *TikTok*, 15 Nov. 2024, www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345.
In MLA, the platform is the container and must be italicized. This applies to all social media platforms.
Not putting the caption in quotation marks
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. Watch how astronauts wash their hair. *TikTok*, 15 Nov. 2024, www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345.
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. "Watch how astronauts wash their hair." *TikTok*, 15 Nov. 2024, www.tiktok.com/@nasa/video/7305123456789012345.
The video caption serves as the title and must be enclosed in quotation marks per MLA formatting rules.
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.