How to Cite a Social Media in ASA
Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Citation Format
Basic Template
Author. Year. "Post text." Platform, Month Day. Retrieved Month Day, Year (URL).
Citation Components
Author(s)
Invert only the first author and use the full given name (Smith, John D.). Later authors appear first name first, with and before the last.
Year
The year of publication follows the author.
Title
Article and chapter titles take quotation marks with headline capitalization.
Source Details
Italicize journal and book titles. Journal locator is Volume(Issue):pages.
Real-World Example
Example Source
Smith, John D.
2024
New preprint on coral bleaching now online
X
March 15
https://x.com/jdsmith/status/123
Formatted Citation
Smith, John D. 2024. "New preprint on coral bleaching now online." X, March 15. Retrieved July 11, 2026 (https://x.com/jdsmith/status/123).
In-Text Citation
(Smith 2024)
(Author Year) or (Author Year:Page) for a direct quote
Common Mistakes
Wrong:
Smith, John D., Jones, Jane A. 2024. "Title." American Sociological Review 89(3):211-220.
Right:
Smith, John D., and Jane A. Jones. 2024. "Title." American Sociological Review 89(3):211-220.
Why: Only the first author is inverted; later authors appear first name first, with and before the last.
Wrong:
Smith, J. D. 2024. "Title." American Sociological Review 89(3):211-220.
Right:
Smith, John D. 2024. "Title." American Sociological Review 89(3):211-220.
Why: ASA uses full given names for authors, not initials.
Wrong:
Smith, John D. 2024. Effects of Sleep. American Sociological Review 89(3):211-220.
Right:
Smith, John D. 2024. "Effects of Sleep." American Sociological Review 89(3):211-220.
Why: Article titles take quotation marks and the journal title is italicized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I format a social media in ASA style? ▼
Follow the template above: invert only the first author, give the year, then the title with the correct styling, and the source details. Entries in the References list are alphabetical by first author surname.
How do ASA in-text citations work? ▼
Use the author surname and year: (Smith 2024). Add a page number after a colon for a direct quote: (Smith 2024:15). For three or more authors use the first author followed by et al.
When does ASA use quotation marks versus italics? ▼
Article and chapter titles take quotation marks; journal and book titles are italicized. Both use headline capitalization.
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