How to Cite a Social Media Post in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite tweets, Instagram posts, Facebook posts, and TikToks in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a social media post in your Works Cited page:
Author or @Username. "Content of post or description." Platform, Day Month Year, URL.
MLA Example for a Social Media Post
A complete MLA reference for a social media post, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
University Library. “Our new open-access policy takes effect today.” Instagram, 4 Oct. 2024, https://www.example.org/post/12345.
Matching in-text citation: (University Library)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(@username)
Narrative
@username writes that...
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Use the account name; add the handle in square brackets if the real name is also known.
- Put the full text of a short post, or a description of it, in quotation marks.
- Italicize the platform name as the container.
- Give the date as Day Month Year and include the URL without https://.
- Add the time of posting if the account posts several times a day.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your social media post.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th edition) 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 Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: mla.csl
Metadata to collect
- account name and handle
- post text or description
- exact date
- platform
- permalink
Common metadata traps
- Cite the specific post rather than the profile page.
- Preserve enough post text to identify content that may later be edited or removed.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a social media post in MLA?
- To cite a social media post in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the MLA format for a social media post citation?
- The MLA format for a social media post is: Author or @Username. "Content of post or description." Platform, Day Month Year, URL.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a social media post in MLA?
- In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (@username)
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