How to Cite a Video/Online Media in Harvard Referencing
Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Citation Format
Basic Template
Creator (Year) 'Video Title', Platform, available at: URL (accessed: Day Month Year).
Citation Components
Creator/Channel
Organization or individual name.
Year
Year of upload in parentheses.
Video Title
In single quotation marks. Sentence case.
Platform
YouTube, Vimeo, TED, etc.
URL
Full video URL after 'available at:'
Access Date
Day Month Year in parentheses.
Real-World Example
Example Source
Stanford Online
2022
Machine learning basics
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example
10 July 2023
Formatted Citation
Stanford Online (2022) 'Machine learning basics', YouTube, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example (accessed: 10 July 2023).
In-Text Citation
(Stanford Online 2022)
(Creator Year)
Common Mistakes
Wrong:
(Stanford Online, 2022) - using comma
Right:
(Stanford Online 2022) - use space
Why: Harvard uses space between creator and year.
Wrong:
Stanford Online. 2022. Machine Learning Basics. YouTube. https://...
Right:
Stanford Online (2022) 'Machine learning basics', YouTube, available at: https://... (accessed: Day Month Year).
Why: Use (Year), single quotation marks for title, 'available at:' phrase, and access date in parentheses.
Wrong:
Stanford, Online. 2022. Video on machine learning. Accessed 7/10/23.
Right:
Stanford Online (2022) 'Machine learning basics', YouTube, available at: https://... (accessed: 10 July 2023).
Why: Use organization name correctly, full video title, and written date format (not numerical).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the access date? ▼
Yes, Harvard requires (accessed: Day Month Year) for online videos.
What if the video has no official uploader name? ▼
Use the channel name as the creator.
Can I include a timestamp for specific content? ▼
Add the timestamp to the URL: https://youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx&t=120s
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