APA · 7th Edition
How to Cite an Instagram Post in APA 7th Edition
Learn how to cite Instagram photos, videos, and reels in APA 7th edition. Includes template, real example, and formatting tips.
Quick Answer
To cite an Instagram post in APA 7th edition, use: Author, A. A. [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). Caption or description [Photograph]. Instagram. URL. Begin with the poster's real name or display name, followed by their handle in square brackets. Include the full date. Use the post's caption as the title — if the caption is very long, include the first sentence. Add a format descriptor in square brackets: [Photograph] for images, [Video] for videos or reels, or [Instagram post] for mixed media. Write "Instagram" as the site name and end with the permalink to the specific post (not the profile URL). For in-text citations, use (Author, Year): (NASA, 2024). Example: NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation in stunning new detail from the James Webb Space Telescope [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/. CiteMe handles the tricky formatting details of social media citations so you can focus on your research.
Quick answer: To cite a instagram post in APA (7th Edition), use this template: Author, A. A. [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). Caption or description [Photograph]. Instagram. URL
Citation template
Full example
Reference / Bibliography
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation in stunning new detail from the James Webb Space Telescope [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
In-text citation
(NASA, 2024)
Source breakdown
- author
- NASA [@nasa]
- title
- The Pillars of Creation in stunning new detail from the James Webb Space Telescope
- site
- year
- 2024, November 15
- url
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
Tips
- ✓Use the caption text as the title of the post.
- ✓Specify the format in brackets: [Photograph], [Video], or [Instagram post].
- ✓Use the permalink to the specific post, not the profile URL.
- ✓Only omit "Instagram" as the site name if the author's display name is also "Instagram" — otherwise it is redundant.
Common mistakes
- ⚠Linking to the user's profile instead of the specific post.
- ⚠Omitting the format descriptor in brackets.
- ⚠Using only the handle without the real name or display name.
- ⚠Forgetting the exact publication date.
Before & after
Missing format descriptor in brackets
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation in stunning new detail. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation in stunning new detail [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
APA 7 requires a format descriptor in square brackets after the caption — use [Photograph], [Video], or [Instagram post] depending on the content type.
Profile URL instead of post permalink
Wrong
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/nasa/
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
Link to the specific post, not the user profile. The permalink lets readers find the exact content you cited.
Handle only without real name
Wrong
@nasa. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
Correct
NASA [@nasa]. (2024, November 15). The Pillars of Creation [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DC5examplepost/
Always include the real name or display name first, followed by the handle in square brackets. Do not cite by handle alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the permalink for an Instagram post?
On desktop, click the post — the URL in your address bar is the permalink. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu on a post and select "Copy Link."
What descriptor should I use in brackets?
Use [Photograph] for a photo post, [Video] for a video or reel, or [Instagram post] if it contains a mix of media.