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.

Template + Example

APA TikTok Video Citation Template

Learn how to cite TikTok videos in APA 7th edition format. Includes template, formatting rules, and real citation example.

Copy-ready template

Author, A. A. [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). Video description [TikTok]. TikTok. URL

Filled example

Reference

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)

Field mapping

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

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.

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