In today’s digital age, websites are indispensable resources for research and information. Accurately citing websites is crucial for academic integrity and giving credit where it’s due. The American Psychological Association (APA) format offers a standardized method for referencing online sources, ensuring clarity and consistency in your work. This guide provides a detailed overview of How To Cite A Website in APA format, covering general websites and social media platforms.
When citing a general website in APA format, the basic structure includes the author, date of publication, title of the web page, the name of the website, and the URL. This format is designed for web pages that don’t fall into specific categories like journal articles or news articles found online.
Basic Structure for Website Citation (APA Format):
Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Date Published). Title of web page. Name of Website. URL
Let’s break down each component:
- Author: This could be an individual or an organization. If no author is explicitly named, consider the website’s organization as the author.
- Date: Provide the year, month, and day the content was published or last updated. If the date is unavailable, you can use “n.d.” (for “no date”).
- Title of web page: This is the specific title of the page you are citing, not just the website’s homepage. It should be italicized.
- Name of Website: This is the overall name of the website. It is not italicized.
- URL: Include the direct URL of the specific page you are citing. Ensure the link is accurate and live.
Example of an APA Website Citation:
Austerlitz, S. (2015, March 3). How long can a spinoff like ‘Better Call Saul’ last? FiveThirtyEight. http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-long-can-a-spinoff-like-better-call-saul-last/
This example demonstrates a typical website citation. It clearly identifies the author, publication date, article title, website name (FiveThirtyEight), and the specific URL.
Beyond general websites, social media platforms are increasingly used as sources of information. APA format provides guidelines for citing social media posts from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Citing Social Media Posts in APA Format:
Social media citations require slightly different structures to accommodate the unique nature of these platforms. Crucially, when citing social media, preserve the original text, including capitalization, spelling, hashtags, and emojis where possible.
Facebook Posts:
Structure: Facebook User’s Last Name, F. M. (Year, Month Day of Post). Up to the first 20 words of Facebook post [Source type if attached] [Post type]. Facebook. URL
- Facebook User: Identify the author by their last name and first initial as presented on Facebook.
- Date: Include the year, month, and day the post was made.
- Post Text: Provide the first 20 words of the post to give context. Italicize this portion.
- Source Type (Optional): Specify if there are attachments like [Video attached] or [Image attached].
- Post Type: Indicate the type of post, such as [Status update], [Video], [Image], or [Infographic].
- Facebook: Name of the platform.
- URL: Link directly to the Facebook post.
Example:
Gomez, S. (2020, February 4). Guys, I’ve been working on this special project for two years and can officially say Rare Beauty is launching in [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Selena/videos/1340031502835436/
Twitter Posts:
Structure: Account Holder’s Last Name, F. M. [Twitter Handle]. (Year, Month Day of Post). Up to the first 20 words of tweet [source type if attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. URL
- Account Holder: Identify the account holder and their Twitter handle in brackets.
- Date: Include the year, month, and day of the tweet.
- Tweet Text: Provide the first 20 words of the tweet, italicized.
- Source Type (Optional): Indicate attachments like [Video attached], [Image attached], or [Poll attached].
- Tweet: Specify the post type as [Tweet].
- Twitter: Name of the platform.
- URL: Link directly to the tweet.
Example:
Edelman, J. [Edelman11]. (2018, April 26). Nine years ago today my life changed forever. New England took a chance on a long shot and I’ve worked [Video attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/Edelman11/status/989652345922473985
Instagram Posts:
Structure: Account Holder’s Last Name, F. M. [@Instagram handle]. (Year, Month Day). Up to the first 20 words of caption [Photograph(s) and/or Video(s)]. Instagram. URL
- Account Holder: Identify the account holder and their Instagram handle with the @ symbol.
- Date: Include the year, month, and day of the post.
- Caption Text: Provide the first 20 words of the caption, italicized.
- Media Type: Specify [Photograph(s) and/or Video(s)] depending on the content.
- Instagram: Name of the platform.
- URL: Link directly to the Instagram post.
Example:
Portman, N. [@natalieportman]. (2019, January 5). Many of my best experiences last year were getting to listen to and learn from so many incredible people through [Videos]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRD-FBB8HI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tips for Accurate and Effective Website Citations:
- Look for Author and Date: Carefully search the webpage for author information and publication or last updated dates. These are often found at the top or bottom of the page.
- Use “n.d.” When Necessary: If you cannot find a date of publication or last update, use “n.d.” to indicate “no date.”
- Prioritize Accuracy: Double-check all elements of your citation, especially URLs, to ensure accuracy and avoid broken links.
- Maintain Consistency: Apply APA format consistently throughout your reference list.
- Utilize Citation Tools: While understanding the principles is key, citation generators like CitationMachine.net can be valuable tools to assist in formatting your citations correctly.
Mastering website citations in APA format is essential for academic and professional writing. By understanding these guidelines and utilizing available resources, you can confidently and accurately cite online sources, ensuring the credibility and integrity of your work.
