In this paper I reflect on the characteristics of YouTube as an archive, with a focus on its relevance for African Studies. I discuss the challenges of dealing with the audiovisual sources stored in this archive of popular culture and beyond, given the mobility that characterises the platform and its sources. I explore how to contextualise audiovisual sources found on YouTube and reflect on which ethical aspects need to be considered when using them for research purposes, and how to refer to them in citations.