How to Cite a Facebook Post in APA Format (7th Edition)
Complete guide to citing Facebook posts in APA 7. Covers status updates, page posts, and group content.
📋 Quick Reference
Tip: Copy this template and replace with your source details.
🔍 Try It Out
Paste a facebook citation citation to check your formatting
Understanding Facebook Citation Format in APA Style
Citing sources accurately is crucial in academic writing. When it comes to social media platforms like Facebook, following the American Psychological Association (APA) citation format is necessary for maintaining credibility and providing clear references. This guide will explain how to cite Facebook posts and pages in APA 7th edition format, covering the essential formatting rules, practical tips, and examples.
Basic Structure for Citing Facebook Posts
When citing a Facebook post or page, the basic structure involves the author's name, the date of the post, the content of the post, the site name, and the URL. The format is as follows:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Content of the post [Type of post]. Site Name. URL
Breakdown of the Components
-
Author: This could be an individual, organization, or page name. The author’s name should be formatted according to APA rules, as previously explained.
-
Date: Include the specific date of the post in parentheses. The format should be Year, Month Day.
-
Content of the Post: This section should include the first 20 words of the post, followed by a description of the type of post in square brackets.
-
Site Name: This is simply "Facebook".
-
URL: Provide a direct link to the post. Make sure the URL is hyperlinked in digital documents, without any additional punctuation at the end.
Example of a Facebook Post Citation
Here’s how a Facebook post might look when formatted correctly in APA style:
Smith, J. (2023, March 15). Excited to announce our new project! We are looking forward to working with the community [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost
Example Explanation
In this example, "Smith, J." is the author, formatted according to APA rules. The date of the post is presented in parentheses. The content "Excited to announce our new project! We are looking forward to working with the community" is taken directly from the post. The description "[Status update]" indicates the type of post, and "Facebook" is written as the site name, followed by the direct URL to the post.
Citing a Facebook Page
When citing an entire Facebook page rather than a specific post, the structure changes slightly. The basic format is:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the page. Site Name. URL
Example of a Facebook Page Citation
Community Helpers. (2023). Community Helpers. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/communityhelpers
Explanation of the Page Citation
In this citation, "Community Helpers" is the author of the page. The year indicates when the page was created or last updated, and the title of the page is the same as the author. The site name remains "Facebook," followed by the URL for the page.
Importance of Following Citation Rules
Adhering to APA citation rules is vital for several reasons:
-
Credibility: Proper citations lend authority to your work and demonstrate that you have engaged with credible sources.
-
Plagiarism Prevention: Citing sources helps to avoid unintentional plagiarism by giving credit to the original creators of content.
-
Navigation for Readers: Clear citations allow readers to locate and verify the sources you used, enriching their understanding of your research.
Practical Tips for Citing Facebook Posts and Pages
-
Use Official Names: Always check the official name of the Facebook page or author to ensure accuracy.
-
Be Concise: When summarizing the content of a post, ensure that you capture the essence without exceeding 20 words.
-
Check Dates: Ensure that the date you provide corresponds to the actual posting date to maintain accuracy.
-
Use Hyperlinks: If you're submitting your work digitally, make sure the URLs are hyperlinked for easy access.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
-
Incorrect Author Format: Failing to format the author’s name properly can lead to confusion. Always remember to invert the name (last name first) in the reference list.
-
Missing Dates: Omitting the date can mislead readers about the relevance of the information. Always include it.
-
Improper Post Descriptions: Ensure that the description of the post type matches the content. Mislabeling can confuse readers.
-
URL Errors: Double-check URLs for accuracy. An incorrect link can render your citation useless.
Conclusion
In summary, citing Facebook posts and pages in APA format requires careful attention to detail. By following the rules outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and effective. This not only enhances the credibility of your work but also aids your readers in finding the original sources. Remember, proper citation is a fundamental aspect of academic integrity and scholarly communication.
Step-by-Step Instructions
What You Need
- A Facebook post or page link that you want to cite
- Basic information about the post or page, including the author (individual or organization) and the date of publication
- Access to a citation guide or an APA manual for reference
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a Facebook Citation in APA
1. Identify the Author
Action: Determine who the author of the Facebook post or page is. This could be an individual (e.g., a person who posted content) or an organization (e.g., a business or a group).
Verification: Check the profile name of the person or organization. This name will be part of your citation.
Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes
Tip for Efficiency: If the author is an organization, make sure to note the full name as it appears on Facebook.
2. Gather Publication Date
Action: Look for the publication date of the Facebook post. This is usually displayed below the author’s name.
Verification: Ensure that you have the exact date, including the month, day, and year.
Time Estimate: 1 minute
Tip for Efficiency: If you cannot find the date, note that it may not be included in your citation, but try to find it if possible.
3. Format the Author's Name
Action: Format the author's name according to APA guidelines. For an individual, write the last name followed by a comma and the initials of the first and middle names (if included). For organizations, write the full name as it appears.
Verification: Check that you have inverted the author's name correctly and added the initials with periods.
Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes
Tip for Efficiency: Use a text editor to format the name, which allows for easy corrections.
4. Create the Citation with Date
Action: Combine the author’s name and publication date in the following format: Last name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). For example, Smith, J. (2023, October 1).
Verification: Make sure that the date is in parentheses and is formatted correctly.
Time Estimate: 2 minutes
Tip for Efficiency: Write this citation in a separate document to keep track of your sources easily.
5. Add the URL
Action: Find the URL of the specific Facebook post or page. Copy the link from the address bar of your browser.
Verification: Ensure that the URL is complete and leads directly to the Facebook post or page.
Time Estimate: 1 minute
Tip for Efficiency: Right-click the post to copy the link directly if available.
6. Combine All Elements into a Full Citation
Action: Now, put all the elements together in the following order: Author, date, title (in italics), and URL. For example:
Smith, J. (2023, October 1). Title of the post. https://www.facebook.com/examplelink
Verification: Ensure that the title of the post is in italics, and the URL is a live hyperlink.
Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes
Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation generating tool to automate this process, but always check for accuracy.
7. Review and Finalize the Citation
Action: Read through the citation to check for any errors in formatting, punctuation, or spelling.
Verification: Confirm that everything adheres to APA 7th edition guidelines.
Time Estimate: 2 minutes
Tip for Efficiency: Use APA citation style guides online for reference.
8. Save Your Work
Action: Once you are satisfied with your citation, save it in a document or note-taking application for future reference.
Verification: Ensure that the document is saved correctly and is accessible for your use.
Time Estimate: 1 minute
Tip for Efficiency: Create a dedicated folder for your citations to keep them organized.
By following these detailed steps, you will be able to create an accurate Facebook citation in APA format. Remember to take your time with each step and ensure that you are following the formatting guidelines closely. Happy citing!
Common Errors for Facebook Citation Citations
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget that proper nouns are always capitalized regardless of case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify all proper nouns in the title including names of people
- Ensure names of places, organizations, and institutions are capitalized
- Capitalize specific geographic names and locations mentioned
- Maintain capitalization of brand names and historical events referenced
Students forget that subtitles are treated as separate sentences for capitalization purposes
How to Avoid It:- Locate all colons in the title that separate main title from subtitle
- Capitalize the first word immediately following each colon without exception
- Apply sentence case or title case rules to remaining subtitle words appropriately
- Ensure subtitle capitalization matches the type of title case being used
Students don't know when acronyms should be in all capitals versus following sentence case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify well-known acronyms like CDC, NASA, APA, FBI that are widely recognized
- Keep these acronyms in all capitals regardless of sentence case rules
- For lesser-known acronyms, follow standard usage or title case rules
- Check if acronym is commonly written in all caps in professional contexts
Students partially apply rules but are inconsistent, mixing sentence and title case
How to Avoid It:- Choose correct case type for the source type first
- Apply rules consistently throughout the entire title without exception
- Double-check all words against the chosen case rules
- Review title for consistent application of capitalization throughout
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget the basic rule to always capitalize the first word
How to Avoid It:- Always capitalize the first word of any title without exception
- This applies regardless of sentence case or title case formatting used
- Check the very first character of the title for proper capitalization
- Ensure first word is capitalized even if it's a minor word type
Students extend italics beyond appropriate boundaries or apply them inconsistently
How to Avoid It:- Review italics boundaries carefully in citation formatting
- Italicize only titles and volume numbers in reference lists
- Keep all other elements like publisher location in plain text
- Ensure italics start and stop at appropriate points
Students omit periods after initials, especially when multiple initials are present
How to Avoid It:- Add period after each initial in author name formatting
- Ensure all initials have periods following them consistently
- Check that no initials are missing periods in reference lists
- Verify spacing between initials with periods is correct
Students space initials like regular words, not realizing they should be compact
How to Avoid It:- Remove spaces between initials in author name formatting
- Keep initials together without spacing between them
- Maintain periods after each initial without extra spacing
- Check that initials appear as M.K. not M. K. in citations
Students focus on the year in parentheses but forget the period after closing parenthesis
How to Avoid It:- Add period after closing parenthesis of year in citations
- Ensure year is in parentheses followed by period consistently
- Check that year information is complete with proper period
- Verify spacing between year period and title is correct
Students focus on internal punctuation but forget the citation must end with a period
How to Avoid It:- Add period at the very end of the citation reference
- Ensure citation ends with proper punctuation consistently
- Check that no citation is missing final period in reference list
- Verify that final period is not preceded by extra spacing
✨ Ready to Check Your Full Reference List?
Validate your entire bibliography at once with our citation checker
Validation Checklist
Before submitting your Facebook Citation citation, verify:
- In APA 7th edition, single authors are formatted with last name followed by a comma and first and middle initials. The initials should be separated by periods but not spaces. This format applies to all reference types including journal articles, books, and webpages. The author's name should be inverted (last name first) in the reference list only. This rule ensures consistency across all citation formats and makes alphabetical ordering more efficient in reference lists.
- For works with two authors, both names should be inverted (last name first) and separated by an ampersand (&) rather than the word 'and'. Each author's name follows the single author format (Last name, initials). The ampersand should be preceded by a comma. This format is used in both reference lists and parenthetical citations, but narrative citations use 'and' instead of '&'. This rule distinguishes APA from other citation styles and maintains consistency across multi-author works.
- For works with 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (...), then list the final author. The ellipsis replaces authors 20 through the second-to-last author. All listed authors follow the standard inverted format. This rule prevents extremely long citation lists while still providing key attribution information. The ellipsis should not be italicized or bracketed. This change from APA 6th edition's 7+ author rule provides more comprehensive author listing.
- Author titles, suffixes, and credentials (like Jr., Sr., II, III, Ph.D., M.D.) should be included in the reference list. Suffixes like Jr., Sr., II, and III follow the initials, separated by commas. Academic and professional credentials are generally omitted from reference list entries but may be included in special circumstances. Titles like Dr., Professor, or military ranks are not included in reference list citations. This rule provides complete identification when needed while avoiding unnecessary credential inflation.
- When including URLs for websites, online documents, or other sources without DOIs, present them as live hyperlinks without any special formatting or punctuation. APA 7 removes the 'Retrieved from' prefix that was required in APA 6 for most URLs. URLs should be presented in their simplest form, beginning with http:// or https://, and should be hyperlinks in digital documents. Do not add a period at the end of a URL unless it is part of the original URL. This simplification makes citations cleaner while maintaining functionality for digital access to sources.
- When a URL or DOI leads to a broken or inactive link, APA 7 provides several options for handling the citation. If the source is available through an archive like the Internet Archive, include the archived URL. If the source cannot be located, include as much information as possible and note that the resource is no longer available. For journal articles with broken DOIs, include the DOI but add a note indicating it's inactive. The principle is to provide enough information for readers to locate the source if possible, while acknowledging access limitations. This represents more detailed guidance than APA 6 provided for handling broken links.
Special Cases
Understanding Special Cases and Edge Cases for Citing Facebook in APA Style
Citing sources correctly is vital in academic writing, especially when it comes to social media platforms like Facebook. The APA 7th edition has specific guidelines for citing various types of sources, including social media posts. This guide will clarify special and edge cases when citing Facebook in APA format, ensuring that you follow the rules correctly and efficiently.
General Guidelines for Citing Facebook
When citing Facebook posts or pages, the basic format includes the author's name (individual or organization), the date of the post, the content of the post, and the URL. Here is the general structure:
- Format: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Content of the post [Description of the post]. Facebook. URL
For example:
- Example: Smith, J. (2023, October 1). Excited to share my latest project! [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost
Special Cases
1. Citing Pages vs. Individual Posts
When citing a Facebook page, you will cite the page as a whole rather than individual posts. The title of the page should be in italics.
-
Format for a Page: Name of Page. (Year). Facebook. URL
-
Example: National Geographic. (2023). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/nationalgeographic
When citing individual posts, include the author's name, date, content, and URL as outlined earlier.
2. Citing Posts with No Author
If a post does not have a clear author (for example, a post from a brand without a personal author), begin the citation with the title or description of the post.
-
Format: Title of the post [Description]. (Year, Month Day). Facebook. URL
-
Example: Celebrating our 10th anniversary! [Status update]. (2023, September 15). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost
Edge Cases
1. Citing Posts with Multiple Authors
If a Facebook post is co-authored (for example, a shared post from multiple users), list the authors using the standard format. Each author's name should be inverted and separated by an ampersand.
-
Format: Author1, A. A., & Author2, B. B. (Year, Month Day). Content of the post [Description]. Facebook. URL
-
Example: Johnson, L. M., & Smith, J. (2023, August 30). Teamwork makes the dream work! [Photo post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost
2. Citing Group Authors
When citing an organization or group as the author, use the full name of the organization. If the organization has a commonly recognized abbreviation, you may include it in brackets after the full name.
-
Format: Organization Name [Abbreviation]. (Year, Month Day). Content of the post [Description]. Facebook. URL
-
Example: World Health Organization [WHO]. (2023, July 10). New guidelines on health practices released. [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost
Why These Rules Matter
Following the APA citation rules ensures clarity, consistency, and credibility in academic writing. Correct citations allow readers to locate the original source, providing them with the opportunity to explore the material further. When it comes to social media, where content can change or be deleted, having precise citations is even more important. They serve as a permanent record of what was available at the time of writing.
Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls
-
Ensure Accurate Dates: Always double-check the date to ensure accuracy. This is crucial because posts can be edited or removed, and the date provides context.
-
Use Live URLs: When including URLs, ensure they are live links. This allows readers to easily access the cited content.
-
Avoid Over-Citing: If a Facebook page frequently posts similar content, you do not need to cite every post. Instead, you can cite the page as a source of information.
-
Format Consistently: Always maintain consistent formatting in your citations. This includes punctuation, italics, and capitalization.
-
Clarify Descriptions: Be clear and concise in your descriptions of posts. This helps readers understand what the content is about without confusion.
Conclusion
Citing Facebook and other social media sources in APA style can be straightforward if you follow the established guidelines. Special and edge cases arise often, but understanding how to navigate them helps ensure that your academic writing is credible and well-supported. By adhering to these rules, you not only enhance the quality of your work but also respect the intellectual property of others in the digital landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a Facebook post in APA format?
To cite a Facebook post in APA format, you need to include the author's name, the date of the post, the content of the post, and the URL. Start with the author's last name, followed by their initials. Then, include the date in parentheses. After that, write the first 20 words of the post in italics, followed by 'Facebook post' in brackets, and then provide the URL. For example: Smith, J. (2023, March 15). Excited to share my new project! [Facebook post]. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost. Make sure to adjust for any specific details, like private account settings that may restrict access to the post. For more details, refer to the APA Publication Manual or the APA Style website.
What if the Facebook post is from a private account?
If you are citing a Facebook post from a private account, you should consider whether the post is accessible to your audience. APA guidelines state that you should only cite sources that your readers can access. If the post is from a private account and cannot be viewed by others, it is best to avoid including it in your reference list. Instead, you may summarize the content in your text without citing it directly. For example, you could say, 'A private Facebook post from John Smith discussed his new project.' This way, you acknowledge the source without compromising privacy. For further guidance, explore the APA Style website.
Can I cite a Facebook page instead of a post?
Yes, you can cite a Facebook page if you want to refer to the overall content rather than a specific post. In this case, you will follow a different format. Start with the name of the page as the author. Then, include the date of the last update in parentheses. After that, write the title of the Facebook page in italics and add 'Facebook page' in brackets. Finally, provide the URL. For example: National Geographic. (2023). National Geographic [Facebook page]. https://www.facebook.com/nationalgeographic. This citation gives credit to the source while allowing readers to access the broader content available on the page. For more information, check the APA Style website.
How should I cite a comment on a Facebook post?
Citing a comment on a Facebook post requires a similar format to citing a post. Begin with the name of the person who made the comment, followed by their initials and the date of the comment in parentheses. Then, include the text of the comment in italics and indicate that it is a comment in brackets. Finally, provide the URL of the original post. For example: Doe, J. (2023, March 16). Great insights on this topic! [Comment on a post]. https://www.facebook.com/examplepost. Always make sure that readers can access the original post to verify your citation. For more details, refer to the APA Publication Manual.
What if I want to cite a Facebook event?
To cite a Facebook event, you begin with the name of the event as the author. Then, include the date of the event in parentheses. After that, include the title of the event in italics, followed by 'Facebook event' in brackets. Finally, provide the URL. For example: Annual Charity Run. (2023). Annual Charity Run [Facebook event]. https://www.facebook.com/events/example. This format allows you to reference the event while providing readers with a direct link to more information. To ensure accuracy, consult the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual or the APA Style website for additional examples.
Are there any specific guidelines for citing Facebook sources in academic papers?
When citing Facebook sources in academic papers, be sure to follow the general APA format while also considering the nature of social media content. Always include the author's name, date, and content specifics as outlined in APA guidelines. Ensure that your citations are consistent with the rest of your references and that they provide enough information for readers to locate the source. Additionally, remember to maintain ethical considerations regarding privacy and accessibility. If the content is private or cannot be viewed by your audience, it may be better to summarize it rather than cite it directly. For comprehensive guidance, consult the APA Style website or the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual.
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Quick Check Your Citation
Validate APA formatting instantly