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

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

Citation Format

Basic Template

[#] Creator, "Video Title," Platform, Uploaded: Month Date, Year, [Online]. Available: URL

Citation Components

Reference Number

Numbered [1], [2], etc.

Creator/Channel

Name of creator or channel.

Video Title

In quotation marks. Title Case.

Platform

YouTube, Vimeo, TED, etc.

Upload Date

Uploaded: Month Date, Year

[Online]. Available: URL

Real-World Example

Example Source

number

creator

TED

title

The Future of Artificial Intelligence

platform

YouTube

month

Apr.

date

year

2023

url

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

Formatted Citation

[1] TED, "The Future of Artificial Intelligence," YouTube, Uploaded: Apr. 10, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

In-Text Citation

[1]

[1], [2]

Common Mistakes

Wrong:

[1] TED (2023). "The Future of AI." YouTube video. https://youtube.com/watch

Right:

[1] TED, "The Future of Artificial Intelligence," YouTube, Uploaded: Apr. 10, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Why: Use creator name, full video title in quotation marks, 'Uploaded: Month Date, Year' format, [Online]. Available: URL.

Wrong:

[1]. YouTube. AI video. TED channel. April 2023.

Right:

[1] TED, "The Future of Artificial Intelligence," YouTube, Uploaded: Apr. 10, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Why: Creator first, then title in quotation marks, platform, specific upload date, and complete URL.

Wrong:

[1] TED. AI video. 4/10/23. https://youtube.com/watch

Right:

[1] TED, "The Future of Artificial Intelligence," YouTube, Uploaded: Apr. 10, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example

Why: Use full video title, date format Month Date, Year (not numerical), and complete URL with watch parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the video has no specific upload date? ▼

Omit the upload date and cite with year only: Creator, "Title," Platform, Year, [Online]. Available: URL

Do I need the [Online] designation? ▼

Yes, [Online] indicates the video is accessed via the internet.

Can I include a timestamp in the URL? ▼

Yes: https://youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxx&t=120s includes a timestamp reference.

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