How to Cite a YouTube Video in PLOS (current)
Learn how to cite YouTube and online videos in PLOS format (current). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
PLOS Reference List Format
Here is the standard PLOS format for citing a youtube video in your reference list:
PLOS Example for a YouTube Video
A complete PLOS reference for a youtube video, formatted by the official PLOS CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
1. Study Lab. Introduction to citation styles [Video]. YouTube. 2024. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234
Matching in-text citation: [1]
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your youtube video.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the PLOS (current) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match PLOS requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: plos.csl
Metadata to collect
- channel name and the creator's real name if known
- video title
- upload date
- running time
- video URL
- timestamp of the passage you quote
Common metadata traps
- Use the upload date shown under the video, not the date you watched it.
- Credit the channel as author only when it made the video; otherwise name the creator and note the channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a youtube video in PLOS?
- To cite a youtube video in PLOS (current), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the PLOS format for a youtube video citation?
- The PLOS format for a youtube video is: 1. Study Lab. Introduction to citation styles [Video]. YouTube. 2024. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBcD1234
- What does the in-text citation look like for a youtube video in PLOS?
- In PLOS, the in-text citation for the example above is [1]
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