How to Cite an Interview in APA, MLA & Chicago Format (2026 Guide)

Interviews are powerful primary sources—but citing them correctly can be confusing. Is it a personal communication? A published interview? The rules depend on the format and how the interview was conducted.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to cite interviews in APA, MLA, and Chicago format, with clear examples for every scenario.

Table of Contents

1. Types of Interviews in Research
2. How to Cite an Interview in APA Format
3. How to Cite an Interview in MLA Format
4. How to Cite an Interview in Chicago Format
5. Common Interview Citation Mistakes
6. Interview Citation Quick Reference Table
7. FAQ

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Types of Interviews in Research

Before you cite an interview, identify what type it is:

• Personal interview: You conducted it yourself (in-person, phone, email, or video call)
• Published interview: An interview published in a magazine, newspaper, or book
• Broadcast interview: An interview on TV, radio, or a podcast
• Unpublished interview: An interview someone else conducted that isn't publicly available

Each type has different citation rules, which we'll cover below.

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How to Cite an Interview in APA Format

APA 7th edition treats interviews differently based on whether they're recoverable (can your reader access them?).

Personal Interviews (APA)

Personal interviews you conducted are considered personal communications in APA. They're cited in-text only—not in the reference list.

In-text citation:

J. Smith (personal communication, March 15, 2026) described the challenges of remote research.

Or:

The participant noted that "citation styles are confusing" (J. Smith, personal communication, March 15, 2026).

Key rules:

• Use the interviewee's initials and last name
• Include the exact date of the interview
• Don't include in the reference list (your reader can't access it)

Published Interviews (APA)

For interviews published in magazines, newspapers, or online, cite them like the source type where they appear.

Reference list format (magazine/newspaper):

Interviewer Last Name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Title of interview. Publication Name. URL

Example:

Rodriguez, M. (2026, February 10). Dr. Jane Wilson on the future of AI in academia. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/wilson-interview

In-text citation:

(Rodriguez, 2026)

Broadcast or Podcast Interviews (APA)

Reference list format:

Interviewee Last Name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Interview title [Interview]. In Program Title. Network/Platform. URL

Example:

Chen, L. (2026, January 22). The science of citations [Interview]. In Science Friday. NPR. https://www.sciencefriday.com/chen

In-text citation:

(Chen, 2026)

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How to Cite an Interview in MLA Format

MLA 9th edition is more flexible with interviews and does include personal interviews in the Works Cited.

Personal Interviews (MLA)

Works Cited format:

Last Name, First Name. Personal interview. Day Month Year.

Example:

Smith, John. Personal interview. 15 Mar. 2026.

In-text citation:

Smith noted that proper citations "save time in the long run."

Or:

The importance of accurate citations was emphasized (Smith).

Published Interviews (MLA)

Works Cited format:

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. "Title of Interview." Interview by Interviewer Name. Publication, Day Month Year, URL.

Example:

Wilson, Jane. "The Future of AI in Academia." Interview by Maria Rodriguez. The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026, www.theatlantic.com/wilson-interview.

In-text citation:

Wilson explains that "AI tools are changing how students research" (Wilson).

Broadcast or Podcast Interviews (MLA)

Works Cited format:

Interviewee Last Name, First Name. "Episode/Interview Title." Interview by Host Name. Program Name, Network, Day Month Year.

Example:

Chen, Lisa. "The Science of Citations." Interview by Ira Flatow. Science Friday, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026.

In-text citation:

Chen discussed the evolution of citation practices.

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How to Cite an Interview in Chicago Format

Chicago offers two systems: Notes-Bibliography (for humanities) and Author-Date (for sciences). Here's how interviews work in both.

Personal Interviews (Chicago Notes-Bibliography)

Personal interviews are typically cited in footnotes/endnotes only, not in the bibliography.

Footnote format:

Interviewee First Name Last Name, interview by author, Location, Month Day, Year.

Example:

¹ John Smith, interview by author, New York, March 15, 2026.

Personal Interviews (Chicago Author-Date)

In-text citation:

(John Smith, pers. comm., March 15, 2026)

Personal communications aren't included in the reference list.

Published Interviews (Chicago Notes-Bibliography)

Footnote format:

Interviewee First Name Last Name, interview by Interviewer Name, "Title," Publication, Month Day, Year, URL.

Example:

¹ Jane Wilson, interview by Maria Rodriguez, "The Future of AI in Academia," The Atlantic, February 10, 2026, https://www.theatlantic.com/wilson-interview.

Bibliography entry:

Wilson, Jane. Interview by Maria Rodriguez. "The Future of AI in Academia." The Atlantic, February 10, 2026. https://www.theatlantic.com/wilson-interview.

Published Interviews (Chicago Author-Date)

Reference list format:

Last Name, First Name. Year. "Title." Interview by Interviewer. Publication, Month Day, Year. URL.

Example:

Wilson, Jane. 2026. "The Future of AI in Academia." Interview by Maria Rodriguez. The Atlantic, February 10, 2026. https://www.theatlantic.com/wilson-interview.

In-text citation:

(Wilson 2026)

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Common Interview Citation Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors:

1. Including Personal Interviews in APA Reference Lists

Wrong: Adding your personal interview to the APA reference list.

Right: Only cite personal interviews in-text as personal communications.

2. Forgetting the Interviewer Name

For published interviews, always include who conducted the interview—especially in MLA and Chicago.

3. Confusing the Interviewee and Interviewer

The interviewee (person being interviewed) is usually the main focus of your citation. The interviewer is secondary.

4. Missing the Interview Date

Always include the specific date when the interview took place or was published.

5. Not Specifying Interview Type in MLA

MLA requires you to indicate "Personal interview," "Telephone interview," or "Email interview" for interviews you conducted.

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Interview Citation Quick Reference Table

| Interview Type | APA 7th | MLA 9th | Chicago | |----------------|---------|---------|----------| | Personal (you conducted) | In-text only, no reference list | Works Cited: Last, First. Personal interview. Date. | Footnote only, no bibliography | | Published (magazine/online) | Cite like article with URL | Works Cited with "Interview by" | Footnote + bibliography entry | | Broadcast/Podcast | Reference list with [Interview] label | Works Cited with interviewer + network | Footnote + bibliography entry | | Email interview | Personal communication (in-text only) | Works Cited: Last, First. Email interview. Date. | Footnote only |

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FAQ

Can I cite an interview I found on YouTube?

Yes. Treat it as an online video with the interviewee as the author. Include the video title, channel name, upload date, and URL.

How do I cite an interview transcript?

Cite the transcript like a published interview, noting it's a transcript if relevant. For example: "Transcript of interview by..."

What if the interviewee wants to remain anonymous?

Use a pseudonym or description (e.g., "Participant A" or "anonymous marketing professional") and note in your methodology that names were changed for confidentiality.

Do I need permission to cite a personal interview?

Generally, yes. Obtain informed consent from your interviewee, especially for academic research. Your institution may have specific IRB requirements.

How do I cite multiple interviews with the same person?

Include dates in your in-text citations to distinguish them:

• APA: (J. Smith, personal communication, March 15, 2026) vs. (J. Smith, personal communication, April 2, 2026)
• MLA: List separately in Works Cited with different dates

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Key Takeaways

1. Identify the interview type first—personal, published, or broadcast citations follow different rules
2. APA treats personal interviews as personal communications—in-text only, no reference list
3. MLA includes personal interviews in Works Cited—specify the interview type (personal, email, phone)
4. Chicago uses footnotes for personal interviews—no bibliography entry needed
5. Always include the interview date—it's essential for all citation styles
6. For published interviews, cite the source where it appears—magazine, podcast, or video platform

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