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How to credit a creator when you share their video
Sharing a great video is a nice thing to do, and giving credit is how you do it fairly. Credit tells people who made the work, helps the creator grow and lowers the chance of a takedown. But credit is not permission. This guide explains the difference, shows how to ask for permission in a way that gets a yes, gives you wording you can copy, and describes what to do when the creator says no or you cannot find them. It also covers music, people in the video and the safest way to share when you are unsure.
Last updated: October 29, 2026
Credit and permission are different
Credit means naming the creator and linking to the original. Permission means the creator agreed to your use. You need permission to repost or reuse most videos, and credit alone does not cover you. Many takedown notices arrive for posts that carried a credit but had no permission.
The safest way to share
Use the platform's own share tools when you can. A share, a repost button, a story share or a collab keeps the creator in charge and the credit built in. Sharing the link is also safe, and it sends views to the original post.
How to ask for permission
Send a short, friendly message. Say who you are, which video you mean, where you plan to use it and for how long. Offer credit and a link. For example: Hi, I love your video of the beach walk. May I share it on my page with a full credit and a link to your account? Thank you. Wait for a clear yes before you post.
How to write the credit
Put the creator's name and handle in the first line of the caption, not at the end. Add a link to the original post. Do not crop or cover their watermark or name. If you changed anything, such as adding captions, say so.
Music and people in the video
Music has its own owners. A creator may have permission to use a song inside one app and not outside it, so your reposted copy can be muted. People who appear in a video may also object, especially children. Ask the creator whether everyone agreed.
If the answer is no, or you hear nothing
Respect a no. If there is no reply, do not post. Silence is not permission. Share the link instead, or find a similar video that is licensed for reuse, such as a clip under a Creative Commons licence, and follow that licence's terms.
Questions people ask
Is a credit enough to repost? No. Credit names the creator, but permission is what allows your use.
What if I cannot find the original creator? Do not post it. Share a licensed alternative or a link to where you saw it.
Can I repost for free advertising? Using someone's video to sell something needs clear written permission, and often a licence.
What should I do if someone reposts my video without asking? Send a polite message first, then use the platform's report tool or a DMCA notice if needed.