APA 7th Citation Guide

General guidelines

• Ensure your punctuation is correct

  • Account name: Write the account name as is, e.g. P!nk.
  • Username: Place the username in square brackets and write it as is, e.g. [@pink]
  • Instagram update: Write the update text in italics in sentence case.  
• Insert either the long or short form of the URL for Instagram highlights: Either short or long form is acceptable. 

• Dealing with dates:

  • ​Instagram photos or videos: Date it is published.
  • Instagram highlights/stories: Use (n.d.). for the date because the highlight itself is not dated. Include the retrieval date.
• Insert emojis: Copy and paste the emojis. If you are not able to replicate it, denote the emoji's name in square brackets. Find the full list of emoji names on the Unicode Consortium's website.

• Ensure your formatting is correct:

  • ​Follow our red format structure and view our examples in black. E.g., Look at the elements of the reference we have italicized. You also italicize that same element in your reference.

Format

Account name [@username]. (Year, Month Day). Instagram status in sentence case [type of media]. http://xxxxx

Examples

P!nk [@pink]. (2020, January 4). I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz ❤️ [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B642EczJSFH

The New York Public Library [@nypl]. (2020, March 29). The landscape of New York City is ever-changing. Have you ever wondered what your neighborhood looked like in years gone by? Visit the link in our bio to find out more information about which digital resources you can access with your New York Public Library card, and explore the past of NYC [Photograph]. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UfMkdARJH/

Citing In-Text

(P!nk, 2020)  OR P!nk (2020). 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

Format

Account name [@username]. (n.d.). Story wording in sentence case [Highlight]. Retrieved Month Day, Year from http://xxxxx

Examples

NASA (@nasa]. (n.d.). Hello earthlings: With many of us indoors, let us be your window into the universe. What do you want to explore with #NASAatHome? Comment topics on space & science and we'll break them down using stories! [Highlight]. Retrieved March 25, 2019 from https://www.instagram.com/stories/nasa/

Los Angeles Public Library [@lapubliclibrary]. (n.d.). The soon-to-be-famous Frank Sinatra joined Tommy Dorsey for the opening night of the Palladium. #LAPLARCHIVETRIVIA [Story]. Retrieved March 30, 2020 from https://www.instagram.com/stories/lapubliclibrary/

Citing In-Text

(NASA, n.d.)  OR NASA (2020). 

For more detailed guidelines on in-text citations go to our Citing In-Text tab.

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