How to Cite Social Media in APA Format (7th Edition)

Social media has become one of the most dynamic sources of information in modern research. From expert commentary on X (formerly Twitter) to firsthand experiences shared on Instagram, these platforms capture public discourse in real time. But because social media content changes frequently, citing it accurately can be confusing.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to cite social media in APA 7th edition, understand the logic behind its structure, and see examples for every major platform, all explained in a clear, approachable way.

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Why Citing Social Media Matters

The APA Style (7th edition) acknowledges that social media is an evolving, credible information source. It reflects public statements, reactions, and discussions that can support academic analysis.
Failing to cite it properly risks two major issues:

1. Loss of credibility: Academic writing relies on traceable sources. Without a citation, a post could appear as hearsay.
   
   

2. Inaccurate attribution: Many social media users share original insights. Citing them ensures authorship is respected.

According to the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), every citation must help the reader locate the exact content referenced, even if that content later changes or disappears.

<ProTip title="💡 Pro Tip:" description="Always take a screenshot of social media posts you cite, content can be deleted or edited after publication." />

Understanding the APA 7th Edition Structure for Social Media Citations

APA treats social media posts differently from books or journal articles. Posts are often informal, brief, and ephemeral, so citations must adapt.

Here’s the general format for a public social media post:

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Description]. Platform. URL

Let’s break it down:

1. Author Name

• Use the real name, followed by the username in brackets.

• If the real name is unknown, use just the handle.

• Example:

  • Dorsey, J. [@jack]

  • [@NASA]

2. Date

• Include the exact posting date (year, month, and day).

• Example: (2018, March 1).

3. Post Content (Title)

• Use the first 20 words of the post as the title.

• Italicize it, and include punctuation exactly as in the post.

4. Description in Brackets

• Describe the post type:

  • [Tweet], [Instagram photo], [Facebook status update], [LinkedIn post], etc.

5. Platform Name

• Capitalize the name of the platform (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

6. URL

• Add the direct URL of the post.

• Ensure it’s publicly accessible, if not, treat it as personal communication.

<ProTip title="🔍 Reminder:" description="When the author identity is unclear, use the screen name only. Consistency across your reference list is key." />

Platform-Specific Citation Examples

Different platforms may display information differently. Here’s how APA handles them across major social media sites.

1. Citing a Tweet (X / Twitter)

Format:

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Content up to the first 20 words [Tweet]. Twitter. URL

Example:

Dorsey, J. [@jack]. (2018, March 1). We’re committing Twitter to help increase the collective health, openness, and civility of public conversation [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/jack/status/969234275420655616

2. Citing a Facebook Post

Format:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Content up to the first 20 words [Facebook status update]. Facebook. URL

Example:

Gates, B. (2020, April 1). We’ve launched a new initiative to support global health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic [Facebook status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/BillGates/posts/101570...

3. Citing an Instagram Post

Format:

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Caption text up to the first 20 words [Instagram photo]. Instagram. URL

Example:

National Geographic [@natgeo]. (2021, July 7). A young leopard climbs through the trees in Botswana’s Okavango Delta [Instagram photo]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRXYZ...

4. Citing a TikTok Video

Format:

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). First 20 words of caption or transcript [Video]. TikTok. URL

Example:

Science Sam [@science.sam]. (2023, June 12). Why your brain loves optical illusions, let’s talk about perception! [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@science.sam/video/...

<ProTip title="🎥 Pro Tip:" description="For videos, add [Video] or [Reel] in brackets, APA requires specifying the format of audiovisual posts." />

5. Citing a LinkedIn Post

Format:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). First 20 words of post [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. URL

Example:

Harvard Business Review. (2022, September 10). Leaders who listen create teams that innovate faster and perform better. [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/harvardbusinessreview...

Citing Social Media Pages or Profiles

Sometimes, you’re citing a page or account rather than a specific post, for example, an organization’s Facebook page or a YouTube channel.

Format:

Name of Group or Organization. (n.d.). Page title [Platform page]. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL

Example:

NASA. (n.d.). NASA [Facebook page]. Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.facebook.com/NASA

Why “Retrieved” Dates Matter:

Because profiles and pages are regularly updated, the retrieval date signals that the content may change over time.

<ProTip title="🗓️ Note:" description="Include a retrieval date when citing content that updates frequently, such as profile pages or feeds." />

How to Cite Private Messages and Non-Public Posts

Private social media messages, such as direct messages (DMs), private group discussions, or closed accounts, are not publicly available.

In APA style, these should be cited only in text, not in the reference list, because readers can’t retrieve them.

Format (in-text only):

(Author Initial. Last Name, platform, personal communication, Month Day, Year)

Example:

(R. James, Twitter direct message, March 25, 2017)

You’ll include this citation within your paragraph, not as a formal reference at the end.

APA In-Text Citations for Social Media

In-text citations for social media follow the same rules as any APA source:

• Parenthetical: (Author, Year)

• Narrative: Author (Year)

Examples:

• Parenthetical: (Dorsey, 2018)

• Narrative: Dorsey (2018) discussed Twitter’s focus on healthier conversations.

If there’s no real name, use the username:

• (NASA, 2020)

• [@NASA] (2020)

When referencing multiple posts by the same user, distinguish them by date or by adding lowercase letters (e.g., 2022a, 2022b).

<ProTip title="✍️ Pro Tip:" description="Always match your in-text citation author to the reference list entry, consistency prevents reader confusion." />

Citing Multimedia Social Media Content

Social media isn’t limited to text posts, you may need to cite images, videos, polls, or live streams.

Here’s how APA differentiates them:

Use the most specific descriptor possible. APA encourages clarity about the medium to guide retrieval.

Citing Comments, Replies, and Threads

If referencing a specific comment or thread, APA allows you to indicate that within the description:

Format:

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month Day). First 20 words of comment [Comment on post by @username]. Platform. URL

Example:

Johnson, M. [@mikewrites]. (2021, October 15). Absolutely agree, this insight on sustainability is crucial! [Comment on post by @greengrowth]. LinkedIn. https://linkedin.com/comments/...

How to Handle Posts

If a post has been edited or deleted, cite the version you accessed, and if possible, link to an archived copy (e.g., via the Wayback Machine).

When archived versions aren’t available, use an in-text note:

(Post no longer publicly available; accessed March 12, 2022)

This maintains transparency in your academic record.

<ProTip title="🧾 Reminder:" description="If you can not find an archived version, include the access date and note that content may have changed." />

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Missing brackets: Forgetting to specify [Tweet] or [Instagram photo].

❌ Incomplete author info: Leaving out either name or handle.

❌ Using shortened URLs: Always include the full direct link.

❌ No retrieval date for dynamic content: Required for pages or feeds.

❌ Capitalizing post text: Keep original capitalization as written.

APA Citation Examples at a Glance

<ProTip title="🧩 Quick Tip:" description="If you cite several posts from the same author, order them chronologically and label them 2023a, 2023b, etc." />

Quick Checklist: Citing Social Media in APA 7th Edition

✅ Identify the author: Real name + username.
✅ Add full date: Year, month, and day.
✅ Include up to 20 words of the post.
✅ Describe the post type in brackets.
✅ List the platform name.
✅ Link directly to the post.
✅ Include retrieval date for profiles or changing content.
✅ Cite non-public messages only in text.

Master APA Social Media Citation with Confidence

Citing social media may seem complex at first, but once you understand the logic behind APA’s structure, it becomes second nature. By acknowledging author identity, specifying post type, and ensuring traceability, you uphold the standards of ethical, transparent research.

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Use this guide as your go-to reference for any digital citation, from tweets to stories, and let Jenni handle the formatting details while you focus on writing strong, credible content.