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How to reference a social media post in APA 7

A post reference in APA 7 has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.

  • In your essay: (Author, year)
  • Checked 21 October 2026

Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.

The 5 parts

Account. (Date). Post [Post]. Platform. Web address

1 · ACCOUNTCampus Library [@campuslibrary]. 2 · DATE(2025, January 12). 3 · POSTOpen until midnight all exam week [Post]. 4 · PLATFORMX. 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

  1. 1 · AccountThe organisation’s name, as it gives it.The account’s name, with its handle in square brackets, like [@campuslibrary].
  2. 2 · DateThe date, written like this: 2025, January 12. In round brackets.The date it was posted.
  3. 3 · PostIn italics. Then “[Post]”.The post’s first words, as written.
  4. 4 · PlatformAs the source gives it.The platform, like X or Instagram.
  5. 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy the post’s own link from the Share button.

Two places, one source

IN YOUR ESSAY

The library stays open late in exam weeks (Campus Library, 2025).

The author and the year, in brackets.
IN YOUR REFERENCE LIST

Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. (2025, January 12). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.

Build your reference

Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Surname, then first name. Separate people with a semicolon (;).
Like 2025, May 2025 or 5 May 2025.
Like 14 October 2026.
YOUR REFERENCE LIST ENTRYReady to copy

Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. (2025, January 12). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

IN YOUR ESSAY

(Campus Library, 2025)

Pip tip: the title stays in italics when you paste into Word or Google Docs. If it doesn’t, select it and press Ctrl+I.

What if…

  • No date

    Write “n.d.” where the date goes. And add the date you looked at it, after “Retrieved”.

    Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. (n.d.). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

    In your essay: (Campus Library, n.d.)

  • Two authors

    Give both names, joined with “&”.

    Green, A., & Patel, R. (2025, January 12). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

    In your essay: (Green & Patel, 2025)

  • Four or more authors

    Name all four in the reference list. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.

    Green, A., Patel, R., Okafor, D., & Lee, H. (2025, January 12). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

    In your essay: (Green et al., 2025)

Easy to get wrong

  • A web address in your essay

    NOT QUITE

    The library stays open late in exam weeks (x.com).

    RIGHT

    The library stays open late in exam weeks (Campus Library, 2025).

  • The title not in italics

    NOT QUITE

    Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. (2025, January 12). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

    RIGHT

    Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. (2025, January 12). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

Check your university’s version

Some universities and departments make small changes to APA. Your module handbook always wins.

This guide follows the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition.

The full APA 7 guide

Questions

How do I cite a social media post in the text?

Give the author and the year, in brackets: (Campus Library, 2025)

What if there’s no date?

Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how APA 7 sets it out: Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. (n.d.). Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1

Is APA 7 the same at every university?

Some universities and departments make small changes to APA. Your module handbook always wins.

Referencing is easier as you go

Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.

Skip the typing next time

In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.

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These guides and KanBananza’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.

Social media post in other styles

More APA 7 guides