How to reference a social media post in MLA 9
A post reference in MLA 9 has 5 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: (Author page)
- Checked 23 October 2026
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The 5 parts
Account. “Post.” Platform, Date, Web address.
. 2 · POST“Open until midnight all exam week.”3 · PLATFORMX, 4 · DATE12 Jan. 2025, 5 · WEB ADDRESShttps://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
- 2 · PostIn double quotation marks.The post’s first words, as written.
- 3 · PlatformIn italics.The platform, like X or Instagram.
- 4 · DateThe date, written like this: 12 Jan. 2025.The date it was posted.
- 5 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy the post’s own link from the Share button.
Two places, one source
The library stays open late in exam weeks (Campus Library).
The author, and the page when there is one.Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. “Open until midnight all exam week.” X, 12 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.Build your reference
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What if…
No date
Leave the date out. And add the date you looked at it, after “Accessed”.
Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. “Open until midnight all exam week.” X, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.
In your essay: (Campus Library)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, Amara, and Ravi Patel. “Open until midnight all exam week.” X, 12 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
In your essay: (Green and Patel)
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, Amara, et al. “Open until midnight all exam week.” X, 12 Jan. 2025, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1.
In your essay: (Green et al.)
Easy to get wrong
A web address in your essay
NOT QUITEThe library stays open late in exam weeks (x.com).
RIGHTThe library stays open late in exam weeks (Campus Library).
Check your university’s version
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.
Questions
How do I cite a social media post in the text?
Give the author, in brackets: (Campus Library)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how MLA 9 sets it out: Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. “Open until midnight all exam week.” X, https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.
Is MLA 9 the same at every university?
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
KanBananza’s step-by-step guides show how to plan an assignment and keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
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