APA Style: Basics
Social Media
NOTE: Don't forget to indent the second and subsequent lines.
General Format
Provide the first 20 words of the post
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Text of post [Status update]. Facebook. https://xxxxx
Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Text of post [Image attached] [Status update]. Facebook. https://xxxxx
NOTE:
- If the tweet includes media (images, videos, polls, etc.) describe the media in brackets after the text of the post and before [Status update].
- According to the APA you should "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."
For Example
Shapiro Library @ SNHU. (2019, September 25). Tomorrow! Join us online for another Virtual Research Workshop: Search & Research: Mastering the Library Databases from 6-7 pm EDT. [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ShapiroLibrary/posts/10157411146534089
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(Shapiro Library @ SNHU, 2019)
OR
Shapiro Library @ SNHU (2019)
General Format
Page Name. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved Date, from https://xxxxx
Page Name. (n.d.). About [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved Date, from https://xxxxx
NOTE: Use the page title in the reference (Home, About, Events, Videos, etc.).
For Example
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.facebook.com/airandspace
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, n.d.)
OR
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution (n.d.)
General Format
Author, A. A. [@Twitter handle]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. https://xxxxx
For Example
SNHU On Campus [@SNHUOnCampus]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/SNHUOnCampus
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(SNHU On Campus, n.d.)
OR
SNHU On Campus (n.d.)
General Format
Author, A. A. [@twitter handle]. (Year, Month Day). Tweet text, use the first 20 words [Tweet]. Twitter. https://xxxxx
NOTE:
- If the tweet includes media (images, videos, polls, etc.) describe the media in brackets after the Tweet text.
- According to the APA you should "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."
For Example
SNHU Shapiro Library [@SNHULibrary]. (2019, December 9). Come on down and meet Piglet (and Chip, and Noel, too!). They'll be here until 1:30 in the WLLC fireplace [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/SNHULibrary/status/1204090811236925441
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(SNHU Shapiro Library, 2019)
OR
SNHU Shapiro Library (2019)
General Format
Author, A. A. [@instagram username]. (Year, Month Day). Text, use the first 20 words [Photograph]. Instagram. https://xxxxx
Author, A. A. [@instagram username]. (Year, Month Day). Text, use the first 20 words [Video]. Instagram. https://xxxxx
NOTE: If the post includes multiple photos then change [Photograph] to [Photographs].
For Example
SNHU Makerspace [@snhu.makerspace]. (2019, August 8). If you are on the prowl for something creative to do today, stop by the Makerspace! #snhuoncampus #makerspace #summerfun #snhureslife [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B06bjaDHr_F/
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(SNHU Makerspace, 2019)
OR
SNHU Makerspace (2019)
General Format
Author, A. A. [@TikTok username]. (Year, Month Day). Caption, use the first 20 words [Video]. TikTok. https://xxxxx
For Example
@taylorcassidyj. (2022, January 7). when being an ally you don’t need to PROVE IT. people who are marginalized can tell either way [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorcassidyj/video/7050556696946822446?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6893197019705034245
Note: If the username and name are the same use the username starting with the "@" symbol but without the brackets (as shown in the above example). Ignore the "@" symbol when alphabetizing the entry on the reference page.
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(@taylorcassidyj, 2022)
OR
@taylorcassidyj (2022)
General Format
Author, A. A. [@TikTok username]. (n.d). Text, use the first 20 words in the description [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://xxxxx
For Example
Oregon Zoo [@oregonzoo]. (n.d). A better future for wildlife. On TikTok. [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://www.tiktok.com/@oregonzoo
Corresponding In-Text Citation
(Oregon Zoo, n.d)
OR
Oregon Zoo (n.d)
More Information
Visit the APA Style page Online Media This link opens in a new window to find more social media citation examples.