How to Cite a Social Media Post in ACS (3rd Edition)

This guide explains how to format a social media post citation in ACS (3rd Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a social media post in ACS (3rd Edition):

Template

Author (@handle). Content up to 20 words. *Platform*; **Date**. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

¹⁴ (superscript number)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Biden, J. R. (@POTUS). Today we are announcing new investments in clean energy that will create thousands of good-paying jobs. *X*; **Jan. 15, 2024**. https://x.com/POTUS/status/1234567890 (accessed March 28, 2026).

Step-by-Step Guide

1
List the author and handle
Use ACS author format (Last, Initials) followed by the handle in parentheses.
2
Write the post content
Use the first 20 words of the post as the title. Do not italicize or place in quotation marks.
3
Add the platform name
Italicize the platform name (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) followed by a semicolon.
4
Include the date
Write the date of the post in bold using abbreviated month format.
5
Add URL and access date
Provide the direct URL to the post followed by the access date in parentheses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not italicizing the platform name.
Forgetting to bold the date.
Omitting the handle/username.
Not including the access date.
Using more than the first 20 words of the post as the title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the platform name italicized in ACS?

Yes. The platform name (X, Facebook, etc.) is italicized, treated similarly to a publisher or journal name.

Do I use superscript numbers for social media citations?

Yes. Social media citations receive the same superscript numbering as all other sources in ACS.

How do I handle a post that was deleted?

Include as much information as possible and note that the post is no longer available. The access date becomes especially important for documenting when the content was viewed.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your social media post:

Author/Username
Content/Title
Platform
Date
URL

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Step-by-Step Guide

List the author and handle

Use ACS author format (Last, Initials) followed by the handle in parentheses.

Write the post content

Use the first 20 words of the post as the title. Do not italicize or place in quotation marks.

Add the platform name

Italicize the platform name (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) followed by a semicolon.

Include the date

Write the date of the post in bold using abbreviated month format.

Add URL and access date

Provide the direct URL to the post followed by the access date in parentheses.