How to Cite a Bluesky Post
Updated August 2026
Citing a post from Bluesky? Here's the format in APA, MLA, and Chicago — it works just like citing a tweet, with Bluesky as the platform.
Use the author (name and/or handle), the post text as the title, the date, Bluesky as the platform, and the post URL.
The format
Author → date → post text (as the title) → Bluesky → URL. Build it in the generator under Manual Entry → Social media post.
NASA. (2026, January 15). We've confirmed water-ice plumes erupting from Europa's surface. Bluesky. https://bsky.app/profile/nasa.gov/post/3kabc123
In-text(NASA, 2026)
NASA. "We've confirmed water-ice plumes erupting from Europa's surface." Bluesky, 15 Jan. 2026, https://bsky.app/profile/nasa.gov/post/3kabc123. Accessed 1 June 2026.
In-text(NASA)
NASA. "We've confirmed water-ice plumes erupting from Europa's surface." Bluesky. January 15, 2026. https://bsky.app/profile/nasa.gov/post/3kabc123.
In-text(NASA 2026)
What Bluesky is — and why it's coming up now
Bluesky is a fast-growing, decentralized social network that became a major destination as users left X/Twitter. Its posts are now cited in essays and journalism the same way tweets are — but most citation guides haven't added it yet, so students are left guessing.
Good news: it follows the established social-media pattern, so you can cite it confidently today.
Bluesky-specific tips
- Author — use the person/organization's name; include the handle (e.g., @nasa.gov) if that's how they're known.
- Post text as the title — reproduce up to the first ~20 words (APA) or the full short post; keep original spelling.
- Platform is Bluesky, and the URL is the post's permalink (bsky.app/profile/…/post/…).
- Include the access date for social posts, which can be edited or deleted.
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Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- How do I cite a Bluesky post in APA?
- Author [@handle]. (Year, Month Day). The post text up to ~20 words [post]. Bluesky. URL. It mirrors APA's format for a tweet.
- What do I use as the title?
- The text of the post itself (kept verbatim), truncated to about the first 20 words in APA, with the platform named as Bluesky.
- Is citing Bluesky different from citing X/Twitter?
- No — same social-media pattern. Only the platform name and the URL format change.