How to Cite TikTok in APA

• Written by Hannah Berry (Ph.D.)
• Reviewed by Lucas Street

• Published on 03/26/2024
• Updated on 02/06/2026

In the digital age, social media platforms have become significant sources of information and entertainment. With its short-form video content, TikTok has emerged as one of the most popular platforms for sharing knowledge, creativity, and culture. 

In the social sciences, it’s becoming more and more common to analyze TikTok content or use said content as evidence in academic papers. Indeed, whole fields of scholarly study are now devoted to examining how humans represent themselves and communicate via social media, including TikTok. And even if social media content isn’t the focus of a particular study or piece of writing, referencing social media posts can provide an up-to-the-minute, popular perspective on current events, ideologies, and subjects of discussion.

When incorporating TikTok content into academic or professional work, it’s essential to cite it properly according to the guidelines of the APA, just like any other sources. This article provides detailed instructions on the correct way to cite TikTok videos and profiles in APA format.

HOW TO CITE A TIKTOK VIDEO

When citing a TikTok video in APA format, include these elements:

• Author: Include the name of the individual or group author (i.e., the profile that posted the content), followed by their TikTok handle in square brackets, starting with the @ sign.
• Date: Include the exact date of the post within parentheses in “year, month day” format.
• Title: Utilize the first 20 words from the caption as the title. This includes hashtags, URLs, and emojis, counting each as one word. Format the title in italics (do not italicize emojis) and include the description [Video] within square brackets.
• Source: Acknowledge TikTok as the site name in the source element, followed by the URL of the video (not the profile).

CITATION EXAMPLES: TIKTOK VIDEO

Citation	AdventureTime [@adventime]. (2024, March 24). Journeying through the wilderness! #naturelover #explore [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@adventime/video/812347
Structure	Author/Username [@TikTokHandle]. (Year, Month Day). First 20 words of caption [Video]. TikTok. URL

Citation	Lowe, M. [@ckwithmar]. (2024, March 24). Delicious recipes #cookingtips [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@ckwithmar/video/87602
Structure	Author Surname, Author Initial. [@TikTokHandle]. (Year, Month Day). First 20 words of caption [Video]. TikTok. URL

HOW TO CITE A TIKTOK PROFILE

When citing TikTok profiles in APA format, adhere to these guidelines:

• Author: Include the username of the profile owner, followed by their TikTok handle in square brackets, beginning with the @ sign. 
• Date: Since TikTok profiles often do not specify posting dates, use n.d. (no date) in parentheses.
• Title: Use the first 20 words of the profile description as the title, and italicise this text. Include the notation “[TikTok profile]” within square brackets. If there is no profile description, omit this element and use [TikTok profile] only.
• Retrieval Date: Provide the date when you accessed the profile, as TikTok content can change over time and isn’t archived.
• Source: Attribute TikTok as the site name in the source element. After providing the retrieval date, end your reference citation with the URL of the profile page.

CITATION EXAMPLES: CITE TIKTOK PROFILE

Citation	LeBronKing. [@lebronking]. (n.d.). [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved March 24, 2024, from https://tiktok.com/@lebronking
Structure	Username. [@TikTokHandle]. (n.d.). [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

Citation	BballDunkMaster. [@bball_dunkmaster]. (n.d.). Slam dunks [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved March 24, 2024, from https://tiktok.com/@bball_dunkmaster
Structure	Username. [@TikTokHandle]. (n.d.). Profile description [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

IN-TEXT CITATION EXAMPLES FOR TIKTOK PROFILE

• Parenthetical citations in APA format should contain the author’s name or username along with n.d. to signify no date of publication. An example would be: [your text here] (LeBronKing, n.d.).
• In narrative citations, the author’s name or username should be incorporated into the text using a signal phrase. For instance: According to BballDunkMaster (n.d.), [continue the sentence].

Making sure to always cite in your essays or other forms of writing whenever you refer to social media content, including TikTok, shows that you are a conscientious scholar who takes academic integrity seriously.

Consider User Interactions for Livestream Citations: In cases where you need to cite a TikTok livestream that isn’t archived or available elsewhere, such as TikTok Live, treat it as a personal communication in APA style. This means including the name of the content creator and the date of the livestream in the text, rather than in the reference list. For example: (Author, Date, personal communication). Verify Authorship and Authenticity: Due to the nature of user-generated content on TikTok, it’s essential to verify the authorship and authenticity of the content you’re citing. Check the username, profile information, and content context to ensure accuracy in your citation. If you are citing content from a verified account or a well-known creator, include this information in the citation to enhance credibility. Adapt Citation Style for Reuploads: TikTok content is frequently reuploaded or shared across platforms. If you’re citing content that has been reposted from TikTok to another platform (e.g., YouTube, X, Facebook), ensure that you cite the original TikTok source rather than the reuploaded version. Include the original TikTok handle and URL in your citation to maintain accuracy and traceability of the content back to its source. Include Hashtags in Citations for Context: Hashtags play a significant role in organizing and categorizing TikTok content. When citing TikTok videos, consider including relevant hashtags from the original caption in your citation. This provides additional context and allows readers to understand the thematic focus or subject matter of the video. Incorporating hashtags can also help researchers locate related content on the platform for further exploration.