This page contains reference examples for X, formerly known as Twitter, including the following:
Cite a livestream (e.g., an X live video) that is not archived by its hosting platform and cannot be retrieved by any other means (i.e., recorded and made available online via another hosting site) as a personal communication.
APA Databases [@APA_Databases]. (2020, September 2). We have curated a collection of journal articles from APA PsycArticles on #COVID19. View: https://bit.ly/2QrWj76 for recent coverage [Image attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/APA_Databases/status/1301175576703664128opens in new window
CDC [@CDCgov]. (2020, June 11). Scientists do not know if having antibodies to the virus that causes #COVID19 can protect someone from getting infected again [Image attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/CDCgov/status/1271180413134876672opens in new window
Gates, B. [@BillGates]. (2019, September 7). Today, it’s difficult for researchers to diagnose #Alzheimers patients early enough to intervene. A reliable, easy and accurate diagnostic would [Thumbnail with link attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/BillGates/status/1170305718425137152opens in new window
Prevention Institute [@preventioninst]. (2020, September 24). If you want to talk #health, you have to talk #racialjustice [Video attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/preventioninst/status/1309211009039687680opens in new window
- Parenthetical citations: (APA Databases, 2020; CDC, 2020; Gates, 2019; Prevention Institute, 2020)
- Narrative citations: APA Databases (2020), CDC (2020), Gates (2019), and Prevention Institute (2020)
- Present the name of the individual or group author the same as you would for any other reference. Then provide the X handle (beginning with the @ sign) in square brackets, followed by a period.
- In the case of a group identified by an abbreviation (as with the CDC example), use the group name as shown on the work, to aid in retrieval.
- Provide the specific date of the post.
- Provide the first 20 words of the post as the title, in italics. Count a URL, a hashtag, or an emoji as one word each, and include them in the reference if they fall within the first 20 words. Do not italicize emojis.
- If the post includes an image, a video, a poll, or a thumbnail image with a link, indicate that in square brackets after the title: [Image attached], [Video attached], [Thumbnail with link attached].
- Include the description “[Post]” in square brackets after the title.
- Credit X as the site name in the source element and then provide the URL of the post.
- The format used for X is also used for Instagram and TikTok.
APA Style [@APA_Style]. (n.d.). Posts [X profile]. X. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://x.com/APA_Styleopens in new window
Jordan, M. B. [@michaelb4jordan]. (n.d.). Replies [X profile]. X. Retrieved January 9, 2020, from https://x.com/michaelb4jordan/with_repliesopens in new window
- Parenthetical citations: (APA Style, n.d.; Jordan, n.d.)
- Narrative citations: APA Style (n.d.) and Jordan (n.d.)
- X profiles begin on the “Posts” tab by default. If you want to cite one of the other tabs (“Replies,” “Highlights,” “Media,” or “Likes”), use the name of that tab rather than “Posts” in the title element of the reference.
- Include the notation “[X profile]” in square brackets.
- Provide a retrieval date because the content is designed to change over time and is not archived.
- Provide the URL of the page.
Learn more
X, formerly known as Twitter, references are covered in seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 10.15 and the Concise Guide Section 10.13
