How to Cite Websites and Web Pages

Learn how to properly cite different types of web content in APA format. Choose a specific type below for detailed guidelines.

Web Pages

How to cite individual web pages and articles from websites.

Blog Posts

Guidelines for citing blog posts and online commentary.

Social Media

How to cite posts from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms.

Online Multimedia

Citations for videos, podcasts, and other multimedia content.

General Website Citation Guidelines

  • Include author name when available (individual or organization)
  • Use retrieval dates only for content that may change
  • Provide specific URLs rather than homepage URLs
  • Include version or update information when relevant
  • Archive web pages that might change or disappear

Basic Elements of Web Citations

Author Information

  • Individual author: Last name, First initial. Middle initial.
  • Organization: Full name of organization
  • No author: Start with title of the work

Dates

  • Use the most specific date available
  • Include retrieval date if content may change
  • Use (n.d.) if no date is available

URLs

  • Present URLs as hyperlinks
  • Break URLs before punctuation
  • Remove "https://" if URL begins with "www"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't include retrieval dates for content that won't change
  • Don't cite entire websites, only specific pages or documents
  • Don't include access dates unless content is designed to change
  • Don't include unnecessary website navigation details
  • Don't cite URLs that require login or are not publicly accessible