How to Cite Social Media Posts in APA Format

Social media has become an essential source for understanding public discourse, cultural trends, and real-time reactions to events. Whether you're citing a viral tweet, an Instagram story, a Facebook post, or a TikTok video, APA 7th edition provides clear guidelines for properly crediting social media content in academic writing.

Why Social Media Citations Matter

Social media platforms have transformed how information spreads and how public figures communicate. These platforms serve as primary sources for research in communications, sociology, political science, marketing, and many other fields. Citing social media content acknowledges creators' intellectual property, allows readers to verify your sources, and maintains academic integrity when discussing online discourse.

The APA 7th edition recognizes social media's scholarly value and provides specific formats for different platforms. Unlike traditional sources, social media content can be ephemeral—posts may be deleted, accounts suspended, or content made private. This makes proper citation even more critical, as it may be the only record that the content existed.

Basic Format for Social Media Citations

In-text Citation:

• Parenthetical: (Author, Year) or (@Username, Year)
• Narrative: Author (Year) or @Username (Year)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify the Author

Use the author's real name if available, followed by their username in square brackets. If only a username is available (and the real name isn't easily discoverable), use the username without brackets. For group accounts or organizational profiles, use the organization name. The format is: Last name, First initial. [@username] or just [@Username] if no real name is known.

Step 2: Record the Complete Date

Social media posts require the complete date: year, month, and day in the format (Year, Month Day). This precision is crucial because multiple posts may be published on the same day. Use the date shown on the post itself, which may differ from when you accessed it.

Step 3: Format the Post Content

Include the first 20 words of the post in italics as the title. Use the exact wording from the post, including hashtags and emojis if they appear in the first 20 words. If the post is shorter than 20 words, use the complete text. If it's longer, use the first 20 words followed by an ellipsis in brackets [...]. Keep original capitalization, hashtags, and punctuation.

Step 4: Specify the Post Type

After the post content, include the type of post in square brackets: [Tweet], [Instagram photo], [Facebook status update], [TikTok video], [Instagram story], [LinkedIn post], etc. This clarifies the medium for readers who may not be familiar with all platforms.

Step 5: Name the Platform

Include the social media platform name: Twitter (now called X), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit, etc. Use the platform's current official name at the time of publication.

Step 6: Include the URL

Copy the direct URL to the specific post. Use permalink or direct post URLs when available. For platforms where content may become unavailable (like temporary Stories), consider noting "Content no longer available" if the link becomes broken, though include the original URL.

Detailed Examples by Platform

Example 1: Twitter/X Post (Tweet)

Example 2: Instagram Photo Post

Example 3: Facebook Status Update

Example 4: TikTok Video

Example 5: LinkedIn Post

Example 6: Reddit Post

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Only Usernames Without Real Names

When a person's real name is readily available (like verified public figures), include both the real name and username. Only use the username alone when the real name cannot be easily determined.

2. Omitting the Post Type

Always include the type of post in brackets: [Tweet], [Instagram photo], [Facebook video], etc. This crucial detail tells readers what kind of content to expect.

3. Including More Than 20 Words

Limit the post content to the first 20 words. If the post is longer, add an ellipsis in brackets [...] to indicate truncation. Don't include the full text of lengthy posts.

4. Forgetting to Italicize Post Content

The post content serves as the title and should be italicized, just like book or article titles in APA format.

5. Not Including the Complete Date

Social media citations require year, month, and day. Using only the year or month makes it difficult to locate the specific post.

6. Using Screenshot Images Instead of URLs

While screenshots can be included in your paper as figures, the reference list citation must include the URL to the original post. Screenshots alone don't constitute proper citation.

7. Citing Deleted or Private Content

If content becomes unavailable before publication, consider whether it's appropriate to cite. Generally, cite only publicly accessible content. If you must cite deleted content, note its unavailability in your text.

Quick Reference Guide

Post Type Descriptors by Platform

• Twitter/X: [Tweet], [Retweet], [Reply]
• Instagram: [Photograph], [Video], [Story], [Reel], [Carousel post]
• Facebook: [Status update], [Video], [Live video], [Photo]
• TikTok: [Video]
• LinkedIn: [Status update], [Article]
• Reddit: [Online forum post], [Comment]
• YouTube: See separate YouTube guide for video citations

Special Situations

• Retweets/shares: Cite the original post, not the retweet
• Threads: Cite each tweet separately or the first tweet with a note
• Comments: Cite as a reply or comment with link to specific comment
• Stories (temporary): Note if content is no longer available
• Sponsored posts: No special notation needed

Handling Emojis and Hashtags

Social media posts often include emojis and hashtags. Here's how to handle them in APA citations:

Emojis

Include emojis if they appear in the first 20 words of the post. You can either reproduce the emoji or describe it in brackets. For example: "Excited to announce 🎉" or "Excited to announce [party emoji]". Choose the approach that works best with your word processor and maintains readability.

Hashtags

Include hashtags as they appear in the post text. Keep the # symbol: "#ClimateAction not just ClimateAction". Hashtags are integral to the meaning and findability of social media content, so preserve them in your citation.

Platform-Specific Considerations

Twitter/X

Twitter was rebranded as X in 2023, but many still refer to it as Twitter. Use "X" as the platform name in new citations, but older citations referencing Twitter remain accurate for historical posts.

Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours unless saved to Highlights. If citing a Story, note that it may no longer be available. Consider including a screenshot as a figure in your paper if the content is essential.

Facebook Privacy Settings

Only cite publicly accessible Facebook content. Posts from private accounts or friends-only posts should not be cited, as readers cannot verify them. Public figure pages and organizational pages are appropriate to cite.

TikTok

TikTok videos may be made private or deleted by creators. Always include the direct URL, which contains the unique video identifier even if the content becomes unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I cite social media content that's been deleted?

If possible, avoid citing deleted content. If you must cite it (for example, if it's central to your research), note in your text that the content is no longer available, but include the original URL in your reference list.

How do I cite a social media comment?

Cite comments similarly to posts, but note [Comment] as the type and include the URL to the specific comment if possible. The comment author is listed as the author, not the original post author.

What if I can't find the person's real name?

If the real name isn't easily discoverable (check profile bios and verification status), use the username without brackets: @Username. (Year, Month Day)...

Do I need permission to cite social media posts?

You don't need permission to cite publicly available social media posts in your reference list. However, if you want to reproduce the post (like including a screenshot), you may need permission depending on how you're using it.

How do I cite an entire social media account or profile?

To cite an entire account rather than a specific post, use: Username [@handle]. (n.d.). Posts [Social media profile]. Platform. URL

Should I include follower counts or engagement metrics?

No. APA citations don't include follower counts, likes, or engagement metrics unless you're specifically discussing these metrics in your text as data points.

Related Guides

• How to Cite YouTube Videos in APA Format
• How to Cite Websites in APA Format
• How to Cite Podcasts in APA Format