How to Cite a Video/Online Media in AMA Citation Style

Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.

Citation Format

Basic Template

1. Creator. Video Title. Platform. Published Month Day, Year. https://URL

Citation Components

Superscript Number

Superscript 1, 2, 3, etc.

Creator/Channel

Name of creator or channel.

Video Title

Sentence case. No italics or quotation marks.

Platform

YouTube, Vimeo, TED, etc.

Published Date and URL

Published Month Day, Year. https://URL

Real-World Example

Example Source

number

1

creator

Mayo Clinic

title

Understanding heart disease

platform

YouTube

month

April

day

10

year

2023

url

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Formatted Citation

1. Mayo Clinic. Understanding heart disease. YouTube. Published April 10, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-Text Citation

1

Superscript 1

Common Mistakes

Wrong:

1. Mayo Clinic (2023, April 10). "Understanding Heart Disease" [Video]. YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch

Right:

1. Mayo Clinic. Understanding heart disease. YouTube. Published April 10, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Why: Use creator name, sentence case for title (no quotation marks), platform, published date format, and complete URL.

Wrong:

1) YouTube. Heart disease video. Mayo Clinic. April 2023.

Right:

1. Mayo Clinic. Understanding heart disease. YouTube. Published April 10, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Why: Creator first, then full video title, platform, complete date, and full URL.

Wrong:

1. Mayo Clinic, Understanding Heart Disease, YouTube, 4/10/23, https://youtube.com

Right:

1. Mayo Clinic. Understanding heart disease. YouTube. Published April 10, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Why: Use sentence case for title, date format Month Day, Year (not numerical), and complete URL with parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the full URL? ▼

Yes, include the complete URL with the watch parameter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx

Can I include a timestamp? ▼

Yes, add to the URL: &t=120s for 2 minutes into the video.

What if the video has no publication date? ▼

Use the access date: Accessed Month Day, Year. https://URL

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