How to Cite Instagram in MLA 9 Format

Overview, how MLA 9 treats Instagram sources

In MLA 9th edition, an Instagram post is usually cited as a short work that appears inside a larger container. The short work is the specific post, which you place in quotation marks. The container is Instagram, which you italicize. Your goal is to help a reader find the exact post you used, and to show clearly who created it, what it is, where it appears, and how to access it.

Instagram content can be tricky because posts often have no formal title, usernames can look like author names, and posts can be edited or deleted. MLA formatting solves this by prioritizing a few stable pieces of information: the creator, the text of the post (or a description if needed), the platform, the date, and the URL.

You also gave special rules for author names. In your guide, author names must use full first names, not initials. The first author is inverted, and additional authors follow MLA rules for two authors or three or more authors. Those rules are important because they keep your Works Cited list consistent, easy to alphabetize, and respectful of author identity.

Core MLA 9 format for an Instagram post

Works Cited template

Use this as your default pattern:

Author Last Name, First Name Middle. "Text of Post or Description." Instagram, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Notes:
- The post text goes in quotation marks. If the post has no usable text, you can write a brief description instead.
- Instagram is the container, so it is italicized.
- MLA prefers the day month year format, for example, 12 Oct. 2024.
- Include the direct URL to the post when possible.
- MLA does not always require an access date, but it is often a good idea for social media because content can change or disappear.

Author rules for Instagram, based on your requirements

1) One author

• Use the creator’s name in full.
• Invert the name: Last, First Middle.
• Do not use initials.

If the account does not clearly show a real name, you may need to use the name exactly as it appears. If you can identify the person’s full name from the account profile, use that full name. If you cannot, you may have to treat the username as the author, but your guide emphasizes full first names for clarity. A practical compromise is to use the full name when it is available on the profile.

2) Two authors

• First author is inverted.
• Second author is not inverted.
• Use and between names.

Format: Last, First Middle, and First Middle Last.

This is most common for collaboration posts or posts credited to two creators. If you cannot confirm two distinct creators, do not guess.

3) Three or more authors

• Use the first author only, inverted, followed by et al.
• Do not list additional authors.

Format: Last, First Middle, et al.

4) No author

If there is no identifiable author name:
- Start with the post title or a description of the post.
- Do not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
- For alphabetizing, ignore A, An, and The.

This rule matters because MLA Works Cited entries are alphabetized by the first element. If you start with a stable title or description, your reader can still locate the source.

What counts as the “title” of an Instagram post

Instagram posts usually do not have formal titles. In MLA, you can use either:
1) The first words of the caption as the title, in quotation marks, or
2) A short description you create, in quotation marks, if the caption is missing, too long, or not meaningful.

Keep it short. A good “title” is usually one sentence or a clear phrase.

Examples of good descriptions:
- "Photo of wildfire smoke over downtown skyline"
- "Reel showing steps for sourdough starter"

Avoid vague descriptions like "Instagram post" or "Photo."

Dates, URLs, and access dates

Date

Use the date shown on the post. Format it as:
- Day Month Year (MLA style), for example, 7 May 2025.
- If Instagram only shows a year or month, use what is available, but most posts display a full date when opened.

URL

Use the direct link to the post, reel, or carousel. Do not use your homepage URL. A direct link makes the citation functional.

Access date

Because Instagram content can be edited, removed, or made private, an access date is a practical safeguard. Include it when:
- The post is likely to change.
- The post is part of a fast moving event.
- You are using a screenshot or archived view.
- Your instructor or institution expects access dates for online sources.

Examples with correct formatting and detailed explanations

Example 1, single author post (caption used as title)

Works Cited entry

Gomez, Selena. "Grateful for this team and this moment." Instagram, 14 Sept. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/XXXXXXXXXXX/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Why this is correct
- Author: The name is written with a full first name and inverted, Gomez, Selena. This supports alphabetical ordering in Works Cited.
- Title: The caption text is treated like the title of a short work, so it is in quotation marks. Only enough text is used to identify the post.
- Container: Instagram is italicized because it is the platform where the post appears.
- Date: The posting date is included in MLA format.
- URL: A direct post URL is provided.
- Accessed date: Included to document when you viewed it, which helps if the post changes.

In text citation tip
MLA in text citations usually use the author’s last name. For Instagram, that often looks like:
- (Gomez)

If you mention the author in your sentence, you usually do not need a parenthetical citation.

Example 2, two authors (collaboration post)

Works Cited entry

Nguyen, Minh Anh, and Carlos Rivera. "Behind the scenes from our fieldwork day." Instagram, 6 June 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/XXXXXXXXXXX/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Why this is correct
- Two authors rule: The first author is inverted, Nguyen, Minh Anh, and the second author is in normal order, Carlos Rivera. The word and connects them, as MLA prefers.
- Title: The caption is used as the title in quotation marks.
- Consistency: This format matches MLA’s standard pattern for a work with two creators, which keeps citations predictable and readable.

Common pitfall
Do not invert the second author. Writing “Rivera, Carlos” would break MLA’s two author format and can confuse readers scanning your Works Cited list.

Example 3, no author (start with description)

Works Cited entry

"Reel showing how to register to vote using the state website." Instagram, 21 Aug. 2022, https://www.instagram.com/reel/XXXXXXXXXXX/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Why this is correct
- No author rule: The entry begins with the title or description because no reliable author name is available.
- No placeholders: It does not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.” because MLA does not recommend those as default substitutes.
- Title formatting: The description is in quotation marks because the reel is a short work.

Alphabetizing tip
When you alphabetize your Works Cited list, ignore “A,” “An,” and “The” at the start of titles. Here, the entry starts with “Reel,” so it will be filed under R.

Why these rules matter

They make sources easy to find

Instagram is a fast moving platform. Usernames change, posts get deleted, and captions get edited. A consistent citation with a direct URL and an access date helps your reader locate what you used, or understand why it may no longer be available.

They support fairness and clarity in authorship

Using full first names when available reduces ambiguity, especially when many creators share the same last name or similar usernames. Inverting the first author’s name creates a consistent Works Cited list that can be scanned quickly.

They prevent accidental plagiarism

When you cite the post correctly, you show exactly what content came from Instagram. That includes photos, captions, reels, and graphics. Clear citations make it obvious what is yours and what is borrowed.

Practical tips and common pitfalls

Tips

• Open the post in a browser to see the full date and capture the clean URL.
• Use a short, identifying caption snippet as the title. If the caption is very long, use the first sentence or a meaningful phrase.
• Add an access date if your instructor is strict about online sources or if the post is likely to change.
• Screenshot for your notes if the post is central to your argument, then keep the screenshot privately as research documentation. Still cite the original post URL.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Using only the username as the author when a full name is available on the profile. If the full name is clearly provided, your guide’s rule favors using it.
• Forgetting quotation marks around the post text or description. The post is the short work, so it should be in quotes.
• Italicizing the post text instead of the platform. The container is Instagram, not the caption.
• Linking to a profile page instead of the specific post. Profile links are less precise and can make verification difficult.
• Missing the date. Dates matter on social media because context changes quickly.

Quick checklist for an MLA 9 Instagram Works Cited entry

• Author name in full, first author inverted
• Two authors use “and,” second author not inverted
• Three or more authors use “et al.” after first author
• No author, start with title or description in quotes
• Caption snippet or description in quotation marks
• Instagram italicized
• Date in day month year format
• Direct URL
• Access date if needed or required

If you want, share one Instagram post link and the name shown on the profile, and I can format the exact Works Cited entry using your author name rules.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Instagram Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

What makes Instagram citations tricky in MLA 9

Instagram posts look simple, but they create many MLA edge cases because the platform mixes identity (display name versus handle), changing content (edited captions, deleted posts), and nontraditional “titles” (most posts do not have a formal title). MLA 9 can handle all of this, but you have to make careful choices so your reader can reliably find the exact post you used.

In MLA, your goal is not to “fit a template,” it is to provide enough consistent information for identification and retrieval. Instagram often forces you to decide which element best identifies the source, especially for author name, title, and date.

Core MLA 9 structure for an Instagram post

A common Works Cited entry for an Instagram post follows this order:

Author. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, Date, URL.

For Instagram:

• Author is usually the account owner.
• “Title of Source” is usually the post’s caption, or a short description you create if there is no usable caption.
• Container is Instagram.
• Date is the post date.
• URL is the direct link to the post.

Your special cases usually happen when one of those elements is unclear, missing, or unstable.

Special case 1: Display name versus username (handle)

Instagram shows two identifiers, a display name (often a real name, sometimes emojis or a brand) and a username (the handle, like @example). MLA prefers the author name as it appears, but your rules require full first names, not initials, and an inverted first author name.

Practical approach that works well:
- If the display name is a real person’s full name, use it as the author, inverted.
- If the display name is not a real name, or it is incomplete (initials only, a single word, or unclear), use the username as the author exactly as it appears.

Why this rule matters: Readers must be able to locate the same account. Handles are often more stable than display names, but handles can change too. Using the clearest identifier reduces confusion, especially when multiple accounts share similar names.

Common pitfall: Treating the handle as a “title” or hiding it in the citation. If the handle is the only reliable identifier, it belongs in the author position.

Special case 2: Multiple authors or shared accounts

Instagram posts are usually single author, but edge cases include collaborations, shared organizational accounts, or posts explicitly credited to multiple creators.

Apply your author rules exactly:

• Two authors: first author inverted, second author normal order, use and.
• Three or more authors: first author inverted, then et al.

Why this rule matters: MLA formatting is tied to alphabetizing in Works Cited. Inverting only the first author keeps sorting consistent and helps your reader scan quickly.

Common pitfall: Listing all authors when there are three or more, or inverting the second author. MLA uses “et al.” to keep entries readable.

Special case 3: No author

Sometimes you cannot identify an author at all, for example a reposted image with no account name visible in a screenshot, or a post embedded elsewhere without attribution.

Your rule is clear: start with the title. Do not use “Anonymous” and do not use “n.d.”

Why this rule matters: MLA wants the first element to be the one that best helps a reader locate the source. If there is no author, the title becomes the anchor for both identification and alphabetization.

Common pitfall: Starting with Instagram as if it were the author. Instagram is the container, not the creator.

Special case 4: Posts with no caption, or captions that are too long

Many posts have captions that are empty, only hashtags, or extremely long. MLA allows you to use the caption as the title, but you should keep it practical.

Good options:
- If the caption is meaningful, use the first sentence or a short, clear portion as the title in quotation marks.
- If there is no caption, create a brief descriptive title in quotation marks, based on what the post shows. Keep it neutral and specific.

Why this rule matters: Titles help readers confirm they found the right post. A title that is only hashtags, or one that is half a page long, does not help retrieval.

Common pitfalls:
- Copying a very long caption in full.
- Using only hashtags as the title when they do not describe the post clearly.
- Forgetting quotation marks around the post title.

Special case 5: Reels, videos, and carousels

Instagram content types change how people locate the source, but MLA treats them similarly. The key is to cite the post page that contains the Reel or carousel.

Tips:
- Use the same MLA order. The content type does not change the container.
- If you want, you can mention the format in your optional description, but do not replace the title with “Reel” alone. A reader needs a more specific title.

Common pitfall: Linking to a profile page instead of the specific post URL. Profile pages change constantly, while post URLs point to one item.

Special case 6: Edited posts, deleted posts, and unstable access

Instagram posts can be edited after you view them, and they can be deleted or made private.

Practical tip: If the content is likely to change or disappear, keep a screenshot or archived copy for your research notes. MLA 9 does not require an access date for stable sources, but for social media, an access date can be helpful when content is unstable. If your instructor allows it, include an access date in a consistent format.

Why this matters: Your reader may not be able to open the link later. Your citation should still communicate what you used, and your notes should protect you if the post disappears.

Common pitfall: Assuming the URL is permanent access. A working link today can fail tomorrow.

Special case 7: Sponsored posts and advertisements

Sponsored content looks like a normal post but functions as advertising. Cite it as an Instagram post by the account that published it. If the brand is the account author, treat it as an organization author.

Tip: If the post clearly identifies a campaign name and that name helps identification, you can use it in the title portion, but do not treat the sponsor as the author unless the sponsor actually posted it.

Special case 8: Quoting comments instead of the post

Sometimes you are citing a comment on a post, not the post itself. Comments are harder to retrieve because they may not have stable URLs, and they can be hidden.

Practical approach:
- If you can link directly to the comment, cite that URL.
- If you cannot, cite the post and make it clear in your text that you are quoting a comment by a specific user.

Common pitfall: Citing the post as if the post author wrote the comment. That misattributes authorship.

Examples with correct formatting and explanations

Example 1: Person with a clear full name and a usable caption

Works Cited entry

Nguyen, Alicia Marie. “Finished the first draft, now the real work begins.” Instagram, 14 Sept. 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/XXXXXXXXXXX/.

Why this is correct
- The author is a person with a full name, so it is placed first and inverted: Nguyen, Alicia Marie.
- The caption is treated as the title of the post, in quotation marks.
- Instagram is the container, italicized.
- The date is the posting date.
- The URL points to the specific post, not the profile.

Practical tip: If the caption is very long, shorten it to a clear portion. Keep the wording exactly as it appears in that portion.

Example 2: Two authors on a collaborative post

Works Cited entry

Rivera, Mateo Javier, and Sofia Elena Chen. “Behind the scenes from our lab demo day.” Instagram, 3 Mar. 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/XXXXXXXXXXX/.

Why this is correct
- Two authors are listed. The first author is inverted, the second is in normal order.
- The word and connects the names, as MLA requires for two authors.
- The rest of the entry follows standard Instagram format.

Common pitfall to avoid: Writing “Chen, Sofia Elena” for the second author. Only the first author is inverted in a two author entry.

Example 3: No reliable author, start with the title

Works Cited entry

“Street mural in downtown Phoenix with mirrored lettering.” Instagram, 22 May 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/XXXXXXXXXXX/.

Why this is correct
- No author is provided, so the entry begins with the title in quotation marks.
- The title is a short descriptive phrase that identifies the post.
- Instagram remains the container.
- This approach avoids “Anonymous” and avoids “n.d.”, as required.

Practical tip: When you create a descriptive title, keep it factual. Describe what is visible or what the post is about, not your interpretation.

Why these rules matter for MLA credibility

Instagram citations can look informal, but MLA formatting signals that you used the source responsibly. The author rules matter because they prevent misidentification and make Works Cited entries easy to alphabetize. Title choices matter because Instagram posts rarely have formal titles, so your reader depends on your title to confirm they found the right item. Using the correct post URL matters because it is the difference between a retrievable source and a dead end.

Quick checklist of common pitfalls

• Using initials instead of full first names when a full name is available.
• Inverting the second author in a two author citation.
• Listing multiple authors instead of using “et al.” for three or more.
• Citing a profile page instead of a specific post.
• Using only hashtags as a title, or pasting an extremely long caption.
• Misattributing a comment to the post author.
• Omitting key identifying information when the author is unclear, especially for reposts and screenshots.

If you want, share one Instagram post type you are working with (standard photo, Reel, Story screenshot, comment, or a post from a brand account), and I can show the best MLA 9 Works Cited entry and an in-text citation that matches your author rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an Instagram post in MLA 9?

In MLA 9, cite an Instagram post by naming the account that created the post, then the post’s text (or a short description) in quotation marks, followed by “Instagram” in italics, the date of the post, and the URL. If the creator’s real name is available and relevant, you can include it before the username, for example, “Last, First (Username).” Practical scenario, you are citing a photo post from a public account and you want readers to find it quickly. Use the post’s direct link, not your feed URL. If the caption is long, quote only the first sentence or a concise identifying phrase. If the post has no clear text, describe it, for example, “Photo of…” For more guidance, see MLA’s core elements overview: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

Do I cite the Instagram username or the real name, and what if I only have a handle?

Use the name that best identifies the author for your readers. If the account shows a real name and a username, MLA commonly allows “Real Name (Username)” so the source is easy to locate. If you only have a handle, use the handle as the author. Practical scenario, you are citing a brand or creator who posts under a handle only, such as @natgeo. In that case, treat the handle as the author and do not invent a real name. If the account belongs to an organization, the organization name can be used as the author if it is clearly stated on the profile. Consistency matters, so format similar sources the same way across your Works Cited. For naming authors, consult MLA’s author guidance: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-entries-authors/

How do I cite an Instagram Story or Reel if it disappears or changes?

Stories can expire and Reels can be edited or removed, so include as much locating information as possible. For a Story, MLA often treats it like a social media post, but you may need to describe it and include the date you viewed it, since it may not be accessible later. Practical scenario, you are analyzing a political campaign’s Story that disappears after 24 hours. If you have a stable URL, include it. If not, cite the account, a description of the Story, “Instagram,” the date posted if known, and add “Accessed Day Month Year.” If you captured a screenshot for your research, you can cite the screenshot as an image you created, and explain in your text that it documents the Story. For access date conventions, see: https://style.mla.org/accessed-date/

What do I put in the in-text citation for an Instagram post in MLA?

For MLA in-text citations, use the author element from your Works Cited entry, usually the account name or handle, in parentheses. Many Instagram posts do not have page numbers, so you typically cite only the author, for example, (@username). Practical scenario, you quote a sentence from an Instagram caption in your essay. Place the parenthetical citation after the quotation, and match the author exactly to the Works Cited. If you mention the account in your sentence, you can omit it from parentheses, for example, “According to National Geographic (@natgeo)….” If multiple posts from the same account are cited, your Works Cited entries should differ by date and caption snippet, which helps readers identify the exact post. For in-text citation basics, see: https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/

How do I cite an Instagram comment, and should I cite the post too?

Citing a comment is useful when the comment itself is your evidence, for example, a public response from a company or a creator clarifying a claim. In MLA, you can cite the commenter as the author, include the comment text in quotation marks, then indicate it is a comment, identify the post it appears on, list “Instagram,” the date of the comment if available, and the URL of the post where the comment appears. Practical scenario, you are citing a customer service reply in the comments under a product announcement. If your argument depends on the context of the post, cite both the post and the specific comment, either as separate Works Cited entries or by explaining the relationship in your prose. If the comment is hard to locate, consider noting the account that posted the original content and your access date. For MLA container concepts, see: https://style.mla.org/containers/

What if the Instagram post has no date, no caption, or the URL is messy?

If a post has no visible date, use “n.d.” only when you truly cannot determine it, and add an access date to show when you viewed it. If there is no caption, provide a brief description of the content in quotation marks, such as “Video of…” or “Photo of…,” so the entry is identifiable. Practical scenario, you are citing a meme image reposted without caption text. Describe the image, cite the account, and include the direct post URL. For URLs, use the clean, shareable link to the post, reel, or profile, and avoid tracking parameters when possible. If the link is extremely long, MLA allows you to include it as given, but removing unnecessary query strings can improve readability. For URL and missing information guidance, see: https://style.mla.org/citing-websites/

Last Updated: 2026-01-01
Reading Time: 10 minutes