APA example - Internet sources - Social media

See this example properly formatted in the QUT Cite tool.

In-text

Standard in-text citation examples are in Getting started - In-text citation.

Reference List

Twitter and Instagram

Template

Author, A. A. [@username]. (Year, Month DD). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Description of any audiovisuals] [Tweet/Instagram post]. Site Name. https://xxxxxx.xxx

Example

Obama, B. [@BarackObama]. (2012, November 7). Four more years [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/266031293945503744

Facebook and others

Template

Author, A. A. (Year, Month DD). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Description of any audiovisuals] [Description of post]. Site Name. http:xxxxxx

Example

Ryan, C. (2025, September 24). What does a post-democracy USA look like? [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BKXskkvpK/

Notes

Cite only original content from social media sites. If you used social media to discover content from other sources, cite the original source.

If you are quoting or paraphrasing a particular section of a post but it will not be accessible to the public because of privacy settings, then treat it as a Personal communication.

If the item contains no words, provide a description of the item in square brackets.

Do not alter the spelling and capitalization in social media references.

For more information see the APA Blog for Reference Examples.