How to reference a social media post in Vancouver
A post reference in Vancouver has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: A number, like (1)
- Checked 23 October 2026
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The 6 parts
1. Account. Post [Post]. Platform [Internet]. Year [cited date accessed]. Available from: Web address
1. . 2 · POSTOpen until midnight all exam week [Post]. 3 · PLATFORMX [Internet]. 4 · DATE2025 [cited 5 · ACCESSED2026 Oct 14]. Available from: 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1
- 2 · PostThen “[Post]”.The post’s first words, as written.
- 3 · PlatformThen “[Internet]”.The platform, like X or Instagram.
- 4 · DateThe year.The date it was posted.
- 5 · AccessedThe day you looked at it, written like this: 2026 Oct 14. After “cited”. All in square brackets.The day you read it.
- 6 · Web addressThe full web address. After “Available from:”.Copy the post’s own link from the Share button.
Two places, one source
The library stays open late in exam weeks (1).
The source’s number.1. Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1
The full reference, in the order you first cited each source.Build your reference
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Two authors
Give both names, with a comma between them.
1. Green A, Patel R. Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1
In your essay: (1)
Four or more authors
Name all four in the reference list.
1. Green A, Patel R, Okafor D, Lee H. Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1
In your essay: (1)
Easy to get wrong
Leaving out the date you looked at it
NOT QUITE1. Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X [Internet]. 2025. Available from: https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1
RIGHT1. Campus Library [@campuslibrary]. Open until midnight all exam week [Post]. X [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Oct 14]. Available from: https://x.com/campuslibrary/status/1
Check your university’s version
Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. Your module handbook always wins.
This guide follows Citing Medicine (2nd edition), the US National Library of Medicine’s guide to Vancouver style.
Questions
How do I cite a social media post in the text?
Use the number the source has in your list: (1). The list is in the order you first cite each source, so the first source you cite is 1.
Is Vancouver the same at every university?
Most universities publish their own Vancouver, with small differences in brackets and in how many authors to list. Your module 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.
Let Peel do this as you read
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These guides and Peel’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with Peel or KanBananza and don’t endorse them. See our terms.