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How to Cite an Instagram Post (APA): A Definitive Guide

Citing your sources is crucial for academic integrity, and in today’s digital world, that includes citing social media content. The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides clear guidelines for referencing online materials, including Instagram posts. To cite an Instagram post in APA format, you’ll generally need the following elements: Author, Date, Caption, Description (“Instagram post”), and URL. The core format is:

Author, A. A. [@Username]. (Year, Month Day). Caption of the Instagram post [Instagram post]. URL

Let’s break down each component and then dive into common scenarios and FAQs.

Breaking Down the Citation Components

Understanding each element is essential for crafting accurate and consistent citations. Let’s dissect each part of the formula:

Author: This is the person or organization that posted the content. Use the full name if available. If only the username is known, use that.
[@Username]: Include the Instagram handle (username) in square brackets immediately after the author’s name. This helps readers quickly locate the post.
Date: Provide the exact date the post was published (Year, Month Day). Instagram displays this information clearly.
Caption of the Instagram post: Write out the caption of the post. This is italicized. Only capitalize the first word of the caption and any proper nouns. If the caption is exceptionally long, you can shorten it, but be sure to maintain the original meaning.
[Instagram post]: Enclose this description in square brackets. This clarifies that the cited material is indeed an Instagram post.
URL: Include the direct URL of the Instagram post. Make sure the URL is active and leads directly to the specific post.

Example:

Gates, B. [@thisisbillgates]. (2023, October 26). Excited to share our annual Gates Letter this coming January! [Instagram post]. https://www.instagram.com/p/CyoY4aAvR5L/

In-Text Citations

Remember, besides the reference list entry, you also need an in-text citation within your paper whenever you refer to or paraphrase the Instagram post.

Narrative In-Text Citation: Bill Gates @thisisbillgates announced his annual Gates Letter…
Parenthetical In-Text Citation: (Gates, 2023)

If the author’s real name is not available, use the username in both the reference list and the in-text citation. For example: (@username, 2023).

Addressing Specific Scenarios

Instagram Story: Instagram stories are ephemeral (they disappear after 24 hours). Therefore, they’re generally not suitable for formal citations unless they are archived somewhere with a permanent URL. If archived, follow the basic Instagram post format, but indicate the archival source. If not archived, you can mention it in the text (e.g., “In an Instagram story on October 26, 2023, Bill Gates stated…”).
Instagram Profile: If you’re referencing the entire Instagram profile rather than a specific post, cite it similarly, but use the phrase “[Instagram profile]” in the description, and provide the profile URL.
Private Instagram Accounts: You can only cite publically visible material. If the account is private and you only have access because you follow them, you cannot include that material in research that will be public. This is an ethical consideration.
Images or Videos Within a Post: The description “[Instagram post]” is sufficient, as it encompasses all content within that post (image, video, carousel). You don’t need separate notations for media type.
Highlights: Cite highlights similarly to posts if they have a permanent URL. The caption will be the highlight title.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Citing Instagram Posts in APA

1. What if the Instagram post has no caption?

If the Instagram post lacks a caption, create a brief description of the content in place of the caption. Be descriptive enough for your readers to understand the post’s subject. For instance: “[Photograph of a sunset over the ocean]” or “[Video demonstrating a cooking technique]”.

2. How do I handle very long captions in an Instagram post?

While APA recommends providing the complete caption, exceptionally long captions can be shortened for brevity. Use ellipses (…) to indicate omitted text, ensuring you retain the core meaning and context of the original caption.

3. Can I cite an Instagram post that has been edited?

Yes, you can cite an edited Instagram post. Use the date the post was initially published, not the date of the edit. If the edit significantly alters the meaning, consider noting in your text that the post was later modified.

4. What if the author uses multiple hashtags in the caption? Should I include them?

Include hashtags if they are integral to the meaning of the caption. If they are merely decorative or promotional, you can omit them. Treat hashtags as regular words in the caption – capitalize them if they are proper nouns or at the beginning of the caption.

5. How do I cite a comment on an Instagram post?

APA style doesn’t have a specific format for citing Instagram comments. Generally, it’s best to avoid citing comments unless they are essential to your argument. If crucial, you can incorporate the comment directly into your text, attributing it to the commenter (e.g., “As @commentername noted in a comment on the post…”). If the comment is from a notable figure, that will add more weight to your decision to include it.

6. What if the Instagram post is part of a larger campaign?

If the Instagram post is part of a larger marketing campaign, you might want to provide additional context in your paper to explain the campaign’s purpose and how the post fits into it. The citation format remains the same, but the surrounding text should provide necessary background information.

7. Is it necessary to include the number of likes or comments on an Instagram post in the citation?

No, the number of likes or comments is not typically included in an APA-style citation for an Instagram post. Focus on the author, date, caption, and URL.

8. How do I cite multiple Instagram posts from the same author in the same year?

If you’re citing multiple posts from the same author in the same year, differentiate them by adding a lowercase letter after the year (e.g., 2023a, 2023b) in both the reference list and in-text citations. Assign the letters based on the alphabetical order of the captions.

9. What if the URL for the Instagram post is very long and complicated?

You can use a URL shortening service (like Bitly or TinyURL) to create a shorter, more manageable URL for your citation. However, ensure the shortened URL is stable and redirects to the correct Instagram post. Some universities and academic journals, however, prefer the original URL. Consult your professor/editor.

10. Should I include a retrieval date for the Instagram post?

APA 7th edition generally discourages including retrieval dates unless the content is likely to change over time (e.g., a wiki page). Since Instagram posts are typically not altered significantly after publication (aside from minor edits), a retrieval date is usually unnecessary.

11. How does citing an Instagram Reel differ from citing a regular Instagram post?

There is no difference. Treat an Instagram Reel as just another Instagram Post.

12. If an Instagram post includes a link in its caption, do I need to cite that linked source separately?

Yes, if the Instagram post refers to information or content from an external link included in the caption, you should cite both the Instagram post and the original source that the link points to. The Instagram post serves as the container while the external source is the original source of the information.

By following these guidelines and addressing these common questions, you can accurately and confidently cite Instagram posts in your academic writing using APA style, ensuring proper attribution and academic integrity. Remember to always prioritize accuracy and clarity in your citations.