How to Cite a Social Media in Chicago Manual of Style (Author-Date)
Learn the exact format with examples, in-text citations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Citation Format
Basic Template
(Creator Year) Reference: Creator. Year. "First 20 words of post [...]" Platform, @username, Month Day, Year. URL.
Citation Components
Creator/Account
Full name or organization name.
Year
Year the post was made.
Post Text
First 20 words of actual post in quotation marks. Use [...] if truncated.
Platform
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.
Username
Format: @username
Post Date
Month Day, Year
URL
Direct link to the post.
Real-World Example
Example Source
UN Environment Programme
2023
We cannot solve the climate crisis without stopping deforestation [...]
@UNEP
March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/UNEP/status/1234567890
Formatted Citation
UN Environment Programme. 2023. "We cannot solve the climate crisis without stopping deforestation [...]" Twitter, @UNEP, March 20, 2023. https://twitter.com/UNEP/status/1234567890.
In-Text Citation
(UN Environment Programme 2023)
(Creator Year)
Common Mistakes
Wrong:
(UNEP 2023) - using acronym without establishing it first
Right:
(UN Environment Programme 2023) - use full name, or establish acronym first in text
Why: Use full name in citations unless the acronym is universally recognized.
Wrong:
UN Environment Programme. 2023. Climate crisis and deforestation. Twitter @UNEP. March 20.
Right:
UN Environment Programme. 2023. "We cannot solve the climate crisis without stopping deforestation [...]" Twitter, @UNEP, March 20, 2023. URL
Why: Include first ~20 words of actual post in quotation marks, complete date, and full URL.
Wrong:
UNEP [@UNEP]. 2023. Posted on Twitter about climate. March 20, 2023.
Right:
UN Environment Programme. 2023. "We cannot solve the climate crisis without stopping deforestation [...]" Twitter, @UNEP, March 20, 2023. URL
Why: Use full organization name, actual post text in quotation marks, and include direct URL to post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I cite the post date or my access date? ▼
Use the date the post was made. Your access date is less relevant unless the post was later deleted.
What if the post is extremely long? ▼
Use only the first 20 words or first complete sentence, whichever is shorter. Use [...] to indicate truncation.
Can I cite retweets or reshares? ▼
Cite the original post and creator, not the account that reposted it. Mention the reposting in your text if relevant.
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