How Do You Cite a TikTok in MLA, APA, or Chicago Style?
Tik Tok has developed over the past several years into more than a epicenter of creativity and fun, but rather an unexpectedly good source of cultural reflection, education, and even primary coverage. In the short-form videos, creators impart their own view which may draw the attention of students and researchers who may be interested in referring to them in their essays, projects, or academic work. It leads to the question how we can integrate Tik Tok into the textual academic study without dishonoring ourselves, without violating pre-established rules of citing.
It is different and depends on the style of citation required by your instructor/institution/publisher. Whether you are referencing in the MLA, APA, or Chicago format, you can give credit to TikTok creators. Now it is time to consider more carefully how each major citation style approaches such a new source.
Citing TikTok in MLA Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is typically used in humanities, more specifically literature, cultural studies, and media studies. Citing social media in MLA has seen a rise with application of social platforms such as TikTok.
Format:
Creator First Name, Last Name/username (or user name). Description or Video Title." TikTok, Post date, URL.
Example:
@drjuliephd. WHY do we emotionally respond to some songs? Neuroscience tells us it is because of this." TikTok, 5 July 2025, http://www.tiktok.com/@drjuliephd/video/7261234567890.
Notes:
- Use the true name of the artist if known, otherwise use the user name.
- Give a short title in quotation marks when the video has no official name.
- Italicize TikTok as the container
- Include a complete URL which is easy to access.
APA Citation for TikTok Video
The most common style among the social sciences, psychology, communication and education is known as the APA (American Psychological Association) style. With TikTok becoming an excellent source of behavioral and cultural information, the APA has provided specific social media citing guidelines. Below is the APA citation for TikTok video format along with the example:
Format:
By Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Written description or title of video [Video]. TikTok. URL
Example:
Taylor, J. [@drjuliephd]. (2025, July 5). Why are we emotionally affected by some songs? Neuroscience explains that this is why [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@drjuliephd/video/7261234567890
Notes:
- Where the complete name of the creator is provided, list it before calling the username, in brackets.
- Make title or description in title case.
- Write out the medium with brackets after the title i.e. [Video].
This format is helpful in giving credit and making it convenient to the reader locate the original video.
Chicago Style TikTok Reference
Chicago manual of style provides writers with the freedom of referencing as per notes and bibliography systems or the author-date system. TikTok is treated in the same fashion as any other digital media. The Chicago style TikTok reference would look like the following:
Format (Bibliography):
Author Last, First Name (or Username). Name of Video or Description. TikTok, Month Day, Year. URL.
Example (Bibliography):
@drjuliephd. Why do songs move our emotions? Neuroscience explains that is why. TikTok, July 5, 2025. https://www.tiktok.com/@drjuliephd/video/7261234567890.
Format (Footnote):
- @drjuliephd, “Why do we have emotional response to some songs? Neuroscience explains reasons why it happens like this,” TikTok, July 5, 2025, https://www.tiktok.com/@drjuliephd/video/7261234567890.
Notes:
- If one uses the real name put it first before the username. Otherwise the handle.
- Titles are to be put in quotation marks and capitalized.
- TikTok is put in italics as the platform.
This citation style may differ in small ways based on context (archival use or commentary), so be consistent when making citations.
Why Accurate Citation of TikTok Matters
The correct citation of TikTok material goes beyond the fulfillment of academic requirements It:
- Give credit to creators with regard to their intellectual or creative work.
- Lends authenticity to your personal work in academia.
- Enables the reader to check and validate the source material.
- Context preservation, which is essential to multimedia and fast-fluid digital environments.
With social media more and more integrated into scholarly research, the ability to do Social media academic citations, including platforms such as TikTok, is an important skill that students and scholars require in the 21 st century.
Quick Tips for Citing TikToks
- Record the date: TikTok videos can be removed or deleted, hence it is important that you record the date upon which you accessed or watched it, even though it does not form part of the style.
- Include URL: Supply the full URL so the readers can identify the post.
- Be descriptive with untitled videos: Some TikTok does not have its title and therefore include a concise and yet precise description in the reference.
- Take Help: Reference formats change. In case of confusion, seek the expert advice of reliable study websites such as StudyUnicorn.com.
Conclusion
Accurate citation of TikTok videos is critical to academic integrity and the appropriateness of the work of the creator. By using the relevant guidelines of MLA, APA, or Chicago styles, students get an opportunity to incorporate TikTok as a reliable source in their works and to diversify their research with the voices of various participants attending the platform.
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