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APA Style Guide: Citing Social Media

Things to Include

Reference Page

  • Present the name of the individual or group author the same as you would for any other reference. Then provide the handle (beginning with the @ sign) in square brackets, followed by a period.
  • Provide the specific date of the post.
  • Provide the first 20 words of the post as the title. Count a URL, a hashtag, or an emoji as one word each, and include them in the reference if they fall within the first 20 words. Do not italicize emojis.
  • Include a description of the post (e.g., “[Photo],” “[Video]”) in square brackets after the title.
  • Credit the social media platform as the site name in the source element and then provide the URL of the post or photo.

In-Text Citations

  • Should include author's information and the year of publication

X Post

Reference Page Format

Lastname, F. M. or Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words[Post]. Site Name. URL

 

Reference Page Example

APA Databases [@APA_Databases]. (2020, September 2). We have curated a collection of journal articles from APA PsycArticles on #COVID19. View: https://bit.ly/2QrWj76 for recent coverage [Image attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/APA_Databases/status/1301175576703664128

 

In-Text Citations Example

(APA Databases, 2020)

 

Instagram Photo

Reference Page Format

Lastname, F. M. or Name of Group [@username]. (Year, Month Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Type of post]. Site Name. URL

 

Reference Page Example

Philadelphia Museum of Art [@philamuseum]. (2019, December 3). “It’s always wonderful to walk in and see my work in a collection where it’s loved, and where people are [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5oDnnNhOt4/
 

In-Text Citations Example

(Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2019)