How do I cite and reference social media in MLA?
Answer
To cite social media in MLA style, include the following information:
- The author (account name, including handle)
- The title of the material or a description
- The container (the name of the social media site)
- The date of publication
- The location (URL)
Formatting a citation for social media in MLA style should follow the structure and examples below:
Format:
Author Last Name, Author First Name. "Title of Material." Container, Date of Publication, URL.
Example:
Penguin Books [@penguinbooks]. "Are you ready for your next spellbinding suspenseful summer read?..."Instagram, 24 Jun. 2025,
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSTTagNRAS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTFsc202MndyZmZkNA==.
When citing social media in the body of your text, include the author's name.
Example:
(Penguin Books)
For more information, see pages 326-327 in the MLA Handbook.