APA 7th Edition Referencing Guide1

Quick links

Referencing a blog post

The below example shows how to reference a blog post and indicates the elements needed.

Examples

Referencing Social Media

Facebook page

To reference a Facebook page, use the page title in the reference (e.g. "Timeline", "Home"). Include the notation [Facebook page] in square brackets. Include a retrieval date as information on the page is likely to change. For example:

Page Author. (n.d.). Page title [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieval date and URL

Examples

Facebook post

When referencing an individual post on a Facebook page:

• Give the full date of the post.

• Include up to the first 20 words of the post in the title position of the reference list entry.

• Note in square brackets if the post includes images, video, thumbnail links, or content from other Facebook posts (such as when a post is shared).

• Replicate emojis if possible. 

• Provide the direct URL to the post.

For example:

Post Author. (Full date of post). Title of post [Note if images, thumbnails or links are included]. Facebook. URL

Examples

X profile

To reference an X profile:

• Give the name of the profile, followed by the X handle in [square brackets]. 

• Use the relevant tab as the title in the reference list entry (Posts, Lists, Moments, etc.)

• Include the notation [X profile] in square brackets.

• Provide a retrieval date as contents of the page can change.

For example:

Name of profile [X handle]. (n.d.). Title of relevant tab [Twitter profile]. X. Retrieval date and URL

Examples

X post

• When referencing an X post:

• Give the full date on which the post was posted.

• Use up to the first 20 words of the tweet in the title position of the reference list entry.

• Note in square brackets if images (including animated GIFs), videos, thumbnail links, or links to other posts (reposts) are included.

• Replicate emojis if possible and retain hashtags.

• Provide a direct URL to the post.

For example:

Examples

Instagram post

• When referencing an Instagram post:

• Give a no date as Instragram does not date posts.

• Title: Use up to the first 20 words of the comment in the title position of the reference list entry. If there is no comment, write a description of the photo in square brackets. Eg/ [Young woman posing with book]

• Note the format in square brackets [Photograph].
• Provide a retrieval date and a direct URL to the post.

For example:

TikTok profile

To reference a TikTok profile:

• Give the name of the profile, followed by the TikTok handle in [square brackets]. 

• Give a no date.

• Include a retrieval date as contents of the page can change.

For example:

Surname, A./Name of profile [TikTok handle]. (n.d.). First twenty words of the bio description [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieval date and URL

Examples

TikTok video

• When referencing a TikTok video:

• Give the full date on which the post was posted.

• Use up to the first 20 words of the caption in the title position of the reference list entry. Count a URL or other link, a hashtag, or an emoji as one word each, but do not italicize emojis.

• Include the [Format] at the end of the title section.

For example:

Examples

LinkedIn profile

To reference a LinkedIn profile:

• Use the page title (Home/About/Jobs etc) in the title section followed by [LinkedIn page] as the format. 

• Give a no date.

• Include a retrieval date as contents of the page can change.

For example:

Surname, A./Name of profile. (n.d.). Page title [LinkedIn page]. LinkedIn. Retrieval date and URL

Examples

LinkedIn post

• When referencing a LinkedIn post:

• LinkedIn does not provide exact dates for posts; rather, it tells users how long ago the post was made. Use the date information provided on the post to infer as specific a date as possible for the reference.

• If a post includes images, videos, thumbnail links to outside sources, or content from another post (such as when sharing a link), indicate that in square brackets after the title.

• Use up to the first 20 words of the caption in the title position of the reference list entry. Count a URL or other link, a hashtag, or an emoji as one word each, but do not italicize emojis.

• Include the [Format] at the end of the title section.

For example:

Examples