Are YouTube Video Titles Italicized?
MLA styles an independent online video in italics even when it is hosted on a sharing site such as YouTube. The work’s genre and independence still matter: music videos and television episodes are examples of shorter contained works that MLA styles in quotation marks.
In MLA style, italicize an independent YouTube video title; use the shorter-work convention when the video is a contained work such as a music video or TV episode.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not treat every item hosted on YouTube identically. Determine whether the video is an independent work or a shorter work contained in a larger series or musical release.
Further guidance
Recommendation
Italicize the title of an independent YouTube video in MLA-style writing.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- How do I style the title of a work published online? (opens in a new tab)Modern Language Association · Style guidance distinguishing italicized titles of independent works such as movies and television series from quoted episode titles