Record the source properly
For every TikTok you cite, note the full link, the account name, the posting date if shown, and the exact date and time you viewed it. Posts can be edited or removed, so the time of access matters.
Copy the caption, hashtags, sound name and visible counts such as views or likes at that moment. Write down your time zone, since dates can look different across regions.
Capture context, not just content
A video can mean different things depending on what surrounds it. Note whether it was a reply, a Stitch or Duet, part of a trend, or responding to a news event.
Screenshots of the post and its key comments help show what a reader would have seen. Keep them in a folder with a consistent naming system, such as date, account and short topic.
Follow ethics and legal guidance
Whether you may keep full copies of other people's videos depends on the platform's terms, copyright law and your organisation's policies. Check with your ethics board, editor or legal team before saving or republishing anyone's video.
Where you plan to show a video publicly, embedding the original or asking the creator for permission is often the safer route. Rules differ by country, so ask a professional when in doubt.
Protect people and your archive
Ordinary users did not sign up to be studied or quoted. Consider removing names, blurring faces and avoiding details that could identify vulnerable people.
Store your archive securely, with access limited to your team, and keep a log of what you collected and why. A clear record makes your work easier to check and defend.
Frequently asked questions
Is a link enough to cite a TikTok?
A link alone can break if the post is deleted. Pair it with the access date, account, caption and a screenshot so your source can still be described later.
Can I quote comments from ordinary users?
It depends on your ethics rules and the sensitivity of the topic. Many researchers and editors avoid naming private individuals or paraphrase to reduce harm.