How to Cite a Reddit or Forum Post in Harvard (Cite Them Right)
Learn how to cite Reddit threads, AMAs, and online forum or discussion-board posts in Harvard format (Cite Them Right). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Harvard Reference List Format
Here is the standard Harvard format for citing a Reddit post in your reference list:
Username (Year) Title of the post [Online forum post]. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx (Accessed: Day Month Year).
Harvard Example for a Reddit or Forum Post
A complete Harvard reference for a Reddit post, formatted by the official Harvard CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
u/quiet_scholar (2024) “How do you organise sources for a literature review?,” r/AskAcademia, Reddit. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/abc123.
Matching in-text citation: (u/quiet_scholar, 2024)
Harvard In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Username, 2024)
Narrative
Username (2024) explains...
Key Harvard Formatting Rules
- Use the username as the author and give the year of the post.
- Add the [Online forum post] descriptor after the post title.
- Add 'Available at:' followed by the direct URL of the thread.
- Include an '(Accessed: Day Month Year)' date at the end.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Reddit post.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Harvard (Cite Them Right) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Harvard requirements.
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