Cite a TikTok video in Harvard
Citing TikToks in Harvard trips students up because the official handbook predates short-form video by years. The current guidance is to treat the post like any other social media entry: the account handle is the author, the first 20 words of the caption are the title, and the upload date is the year.
Harvard rules for a TikTok video
- Use the account display name followed by the handle (@username) in square brackets.
- The first 20 words of the caption serve as the title, in quotes.
- Append [Video] in square brackets to indicate the medium.
- TikTok is the container; include the full post URL.
- Upload date is the publication date; archive a copy in case the post is removed.
- Begin the URL with 'Available at:' and end with the access date.
Worked example
Harvard · TikTok videoA real TikTok video formatted using the Harvard rules above.
[@thestudentroom], The Student Room (2024) Three things every uni student should know in week one [Video]. [Online] TikTok. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/@thestudentroom/video/7412345678901234567 (accessed January 15, 2025).
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