How to Cite a Social Media Post in Vancouver (ICMJE)
Learn how to cite tweets, Instagram posts, Facebook posts, and TikToks in Vancouver format (ICMJE). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Vancouver Reference List Format
Here is the standard Vancouver format for citing a social media post in your reference list:
Author [@Username]. Content of post [Internet]. Platform; Year [cited Year Mon Day]. Available from: URL
Vancouver Example for a Social Media Post
A complete Vancouver reference for a social media post, formatted by the official Vancouver CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
1. University Library. Our new open-access policy takes effect today [Internet]. Instagram. 2024. Available from: https://www.example.org/post/12345
Matching in-text citation: (1)
Vancouver In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(1)
Narrative
The user (1) posted...
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 Vancouver (ICMJE) 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 Vancouver 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: vancouver.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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a social media post in Vancouver?
- To cite a social media post in Vancouver (ICMJE), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the Vancouver format for a social media post citation?
- The Vancouver format for a social media post is: Author [@Username]. Content of post [Internet]. Platform; Year [cited Year Mon Day]. Available from: URL
- What does the in-text citation look like for a social media post in Vancouver?
- In Vancouver, the in-text citation for the example above is (1)
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