APA Style Guide: Citing Facebook & Social Media (2024)
Social media has become a crucial source of information across numerous disciplines, from communications and sociology to political science and marketing. As such, properly citing these platforms in academic and professional work is increasingly important. The American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition provides specific guidelines for referencing content from platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, recognizing their scholarly value and the potential for ephemeral content.
Why Proper Citation Matters
Citing social media acknowledges the intellectual property of creators and allows readers to verify the information presented. This is particularly critical given the dynamic nature of social media, where posts can be deleted, accounts suspended, or privacy settings altered, potentially removing access to original content. A proper citation serves as a record of the content’s existence and its context.
General APA Format for Social Media
The basic format for citing a social media post in APA 7th edition requires several key elements: the author, the date of the post, the first 20 words of the post (or a description of the content), the type of post, the platform name, and the URL. The author should be listed with their real name followed by their username in square brackets, if the real name is known. If only the username is available, it should be used directly.
In-text citations can be presented in two ways: parenthetically, using either the author and year (e.g., (Author, Year)) or the username and year (e.g., (@Username, Year)), or narratively, incorporating the author or username into the sentence (e.g., Author (Year) or @Username (Year)).
Platform-Specific Examples
While the general format remains consistent, specific platforms require slight adjustments. For example, a post on X (formerly Twitter) is identified as a “Tweet,” while a Facebook post is a “Status update.”
X (Twitter)
Example: Author, A. A. [@username]. (). First 20 words of post [Tweet]. X. URL
Example: Author, A. A. (). First 20 words of post [Status update]. Facebook. URL
When citing Facebook content, it’s important to note the distinction between standard posts and temporary content like Stories or livestreams. Content that isn’t archived by the platform and cannot be retrieved requires a different approach, often treated as personal communication.
APA guidelines also cover Instagram posts, including photographs and highlights. When an image or video is attached to a post, it should be indicated in the citation with a description, such as “[Attached image]” or “[Embedded YouTube video].”
Example: U.S. Department of the Interior. (). Like frosting on a cake, snow coats and clings to the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah [Image attached] [Status update]. Facebook. Https://www.facebook.com/USInterior/photos/a.155163054537384/2586475451406120/?type=3&theater
Handling Ephemeral or Inaccessible Content
A significant challenge with citing social media is the potential for content to disappear. If a post is no longer accessible due to privacy settings or removal, the APA recommends citing it as personal communication. This acknowledges the content’s existence while recognizing the inability for readers to verify it directly.
Key Considerations and Best Practices
- Author Identification: Prioritize using the author’s real name if available.
- Date Format: Always use the format Year, Month Date (e.g., 2026, March 7).
- Content Description: Limit the description to the first 20 words of the post.
- URL Accuracy: Ensure the URL is a direct link to the specific post.
- Media Description: Clearly indicate any attached media, such as images or videos.
The APA 7th edition’s guidelines for citing social media reflect the growing importance of these platforms as sources of information. By adhering to these standards, researchers and writers can ensure accuracy, credibility, and proper attribution in their work, even in the face of the ever-changing landscape of online communication.