How to Cite a Social Media Post in APSA Style Manual

This guide explains how to format a social media post citation in APSA Style Manual. 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 APSA Style Manual:

Template

Author Last, First Name (@handle). Year. "Content up to 20 words." *Platform* [Post]. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Biden 2024)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Biden, Joseph R. (@POTUS). 2024. "Today we are announcing new investments in clean energy that will create thousands of good-paying jobs." *X* [Post]. https://x.com/POTUS/status/1234567890 (accessed March 5, 2026).

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Identify the author
Use the full name in Last, First format, followed by the handle in parentheses.
2
Add the year
Write the year of the post, followed by a period.
3
Write the post content
Place the first 20 words of the post in double quotation marks.
4
Add the platform name
Italicize the platform name and follow with [Post] in square brackets.
5
Include URL and access date
Provide the direct URL to the post followed by the access date in parentheses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using initials instead of full first names.
Omitting the [Post] medium descriptor.
Not italicizing the platform name.
Forgetting the access date.
Placing a comma between the author and year in the in-text citation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does APSA handle social media citations?

APSA treats social media as a type of online source. Use the author's full name, the post content in quotation marks, the platform name italicized, and include an access date.

Is social media commonly cited in political science?

Yes. Social media is increasingly important in political science research, especially for studying political communication, public opinion, and campaign strategies.

Do I include the [Post] descriptor?

Yes. Including the medium descriptor [Post] helps identify the source type, consistent with APSA conventions for non-traditional sources.

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

Identify the author

Use the full name in Last, First format, followed by the handle in parentheses.

Add the year

Write the year of the post, followed by a period.

Write the post content

Place the first 20 words of the post in double quotation marks.

Add the platform name

Italicize the platform name and follow with [Post] in square brackets.

Include URL and access date

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