Everything You Need to Know About How to Cite a Website in Text Without Stress

Declan Gessel

Oct 12, 2024

person pointing something on laptop - How to Cite a Website in Text

Consider you’re sitting down to write a paper and realize you must find sources for an essay AI. You’ve got a deadline fast approaching, and you need to find credible information to back up your claims quickly. You turn to the internet and find a promising website. But then, you remember: you have to cite the source. This can be a stressful moment for a lot of students. You might even feel tempted to avoid the website altogether to avoid the citation. But citing a website isn’t as complicated as you think! This guide will help you know everything you need about how to cite a website in text without stress.

Jotbot’s source finder can make the process even easier. This tool will help you locate and analyze sources for your research paper before helping you generate accurate citations.

What is an In-Text Citation

Why Do You Need In-Text Citations?

An in-text citation is a brief reference in the body of a text that directs the reader to the full citation at the end of the document (e.g., in a bibliography or reference list). The most common formats used are signal phrases and parenthetical citations.

Signal phrases

Introduce the author’s name as part of the sentence, like "According to Smith (2020)…."

Parenthetical citations

Include the author's name and date (or other relevant information) inside parentheses at the end of the sentence, such as "(Smith, 2020)."

In-text citations allow readers to immediately verify the source of the information, making the text transparent and credible. They are also essential for linking your sources directly with your argument. For academic papers, failing to cite sources properly can result in accusations of plagiarism and lower credibility in professional writing.

Two Parts of an In-Text Citation

In-text citations are typically composed of two main parts:

The signal phrase (optional) introduces the author and source within the text itself.

Example

“As Jones (2021) suggests, …” The parenthetical citation contains the source information in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

Example

“… (Jones, 2021).” In some citation styles, like MLA, the in-text citation may also include the page number, while others, such as APA, emphasize author-date.

By including both parts—whether through signal phrases or parenthetical citations—writers create a smooth integration of citations within their work, helping readers easily navigate between the content and the source. This approach also helps maintain readability while ensuring academic or professional rigor.

Types of Sources Cited in Text

In-text citations can be used for multiple sources, not just websites. Authors can cite books, journal articles, online sources, videos, and more. Each type may have slight variations in citation style depending on whether it includes an author, a date, or page numbers.

Examples

Books: (Smith, 2015, p. 23) Journal Articles: (Johnson & Lee, 2020) Websites: (Doe, 2019)

Understanding how to cite various sources properly helps maintain a well-rounded, thoroughly researched document. It also demonstrates that the writer has researched comprehensively across multiple credible sources.

Differences Across Citation Styles

Each citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) has its own rules for how to cite sources in the text. For example:

APA

Focuses on the author-date system (e.g., Smith, 2021).

MLA

Uses the author-page system (e.g., Smith 23).

Chicago

You may use either author-date or notes-bibliography, depending on the specific requirements.

Writers need to understand how to adjust their in-text citations to fit the specific style required by their discipline or project. Academic papers often require adherence to strict guidelines, and incorrect citation formats can lower your credibility and potentially lead to penalties.

Parenthetical vs. Signal Phrase Citations

There are two main ways to introduce in-text citations:

Signal phrase citation

Introduces the author as part of the narrative, such as, “According to Davis (2021)…”. Parenthetical citation: Places the author and date (or other required info) in parentheses at the end of a sentence, like this: “… (Davis, 2021).”

Signal phrases are often used to give more context about the author or study, while parenthetical citations are generally more concise.

Choosing between signal phrases and parenthetical citations depends on how you want to present the information. Signal phrases give a natural flow to the writing and are helpful when emphasizing the source's authority. Parenthetical citations are ideal for quick references where the focus is more on the information than the author.

Role of In-Text Citations in Avoiding Plagiarism

In-text citations serve as a critical mechanism for avoiding plagiarism. By adequately crediting the source within the text, writers ensure they are not taking credit for someone else's ideas or research.

Plagiarism is a serious academic and professional offense that can lead to severe consequences, including damaged reputations or penalties in educational settings. Properly using in-text citations helps maintain integrity and avoids any claims of intellectual dishonesty.

Why It's Important to Cite Websites in Text

Citing websites in-text is crucial for several reasons, primarily to ensure that the source of information is easily traceable, to support arguments with evidence, and to avoid plagiarism. The rise of online research makes website citation a critical part of academic and professional writing. This section will cover how improper citation can lead to issues like academic penalties or reduced credibility and how properly formatted citations can improve the quality of written work.

Credibility

Proper in-text citations demonstrate that the information comes from credible, trustworthy sources. When citing websites, it's essential to distinguish between reliable and non-credible sources, as the internet is filled with both. By showing the source of your information, you enhance the trustworthiness of your writing. A 2021 survey by the Journal of Academic Integrity revealed that 86% of academics view proper citation of digital sources as essential to maintaining source credibility.

Plagiarism Prevention

One of the most significant risks in failing to cite websites properly is plagiarism. Plagiarism can be unintentional, but the consequences are often severe. Whether in an academic, journalistic, or business context, plagiarism can lead to loss of credibility, academic penalties, and, in some cases, legal action. According to Plagiarism.org, 40% of undergraduate students admitted to using uncited digital sources in their academic work, increasing the risk of plagiarism violations.

Why It Matters

Credible sources that are correctly cited strengthen your argument. Whether you are writing an academic paper, a blog, or a research report, accurately citing websites helps validate your points and builds trust with your audience. Improper citation can damage your reputation or result in penalties in academic or professional environments.

Consequences of Not Citing Websites Properly

Not correctly citing websites can lead to several adverse outcomes, especially in academic and professional settings:

Plagiarism Accusations

If you fail to give credit to the website you referenced, you might be accused of plagiarism, even if it was unintentional. A study by Turnitin found that over 50% of plagiarism cases involved failure to cite online sources correctly, leading to potential penalties.

Loss of Credibility

If a reader or reviewer can trace the sources of your information back to reliable websites, it reflects well on the integrity of your work. For example, business reports or research papers that need proper citations may be dismissed as unreliable, harming your professional reputation.

Decreased Academic Integrity

In schools or universities, improperly citing websites can result in disciplinary actions, including grade penalties or even suspensions for more severe plagiarism cases. According to The Academic Integrity Survey (2020), 72% of students found guilty of plagiarism had cited their sources improperly or not at all, leading to academic probation or course failures.

Why It Matters

Failing to cite websites properly could harm both your academic and professional career. The negative consequences of plagiarism and loss of credibility can be long-lasting and difficult to recover from. As such, using tools like Jotbot to help automate and streamline website citations can prevent these issues from arising.

Establishing Academic and Professional Integrity

In academic and professional writing, integrity is critical. Accurate citation of websites shows that you respect the intellectual property of others and adhere to the ethical standards of your field. Maintaining proper citation practices in academic settings, such as universities, shows that you follow academic honesty rules and contribute to scholarly discourse. Universities often use plagiarism detection tools like Turnitin highlighting uncited digital sources.

A 2021 report from The International Center for Academic Integrity revealed that 58% of professors believe inconsistent citation practices (particularly from websites) lead to student disciplinary cases. In professional environments, such as research institutions or corporate reports, proper citation helps build trust with your audience, whether clients, stakeholders, or partners. You must credit your sources to maintain professional credibility. Research published by The Business Communication Review (2022) found that 76% of business professionals agree that properly citing online sources is critical to maintaining corporate integrity.

Why It Matters

Citing websites properly establishes you as a trustworthy author or researcher. Good citation practices uphold the individual's reputation and the institution they represent, whether in academia or a professional environment. Proper citation of websites is a clear sign that you respect the original author’s work and contribute to responsible knowledge sharing.

Supporting Evidence in Arguments

Incorporating website citations in your text allows you to support your arguments with authoritative sources. For example, when you include data or statistics from online sources, in-text citations help provide context for your claims and make your work more persuasive. Consider you're writing a report on climate change, and you cite a statistic from a reputable environmental website.

The in-text citation makes it easy for your readers to verify the statistics, strengthening your argument and enhancing the credibility of your claims. A study from The Writing Institute (2023) found that 88% of readers are more likely to trust an article or research paper when they can trace the sources through in-text citations.

Why It Matters

Using in-text citations for websites helps readers verify the accuracy of your claims and supports your overall argument. Without them, readers might question where your information came from, leading to a loss of persuasive potential.

How Jotbot Can Help Automate Website Citations

Citing websites can be tricky, especially when dealing with changing URLs, missing authors, or uncertain publication dates. Tools like Jotbot make this process easier by Automatically generating in-text citations in the correct format (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), ensuring accuracy and consistency across all types of sources, and storing and managing citations for future use, saving time on future projects.

Manually citing websites is prone to errors, and missing a single citation can lead to severe consequences like plagiarism accusations. By using Jotbot, users can streamline the process, ensuring accurate and error-free citations allowing them to focus on the quality of their writing. Write more intelligently, not harder, with Jotbot's AI writing assistant. Start finding sources for free with Jotbot's source finder today. Sign in with Google and get started in seconds.

How to Cite a Website in Text Using APA Style

When citing a website in APA style, the key components you need are:

Author (if available)
Date of publication (or "n.d." if no date is available)
Title of the page or article (in italics if it stands alone)
Website URL

Step 1: Identify the Author

In APA style, you cite the author’s last name, followed by the publication year. If no author is available, you can use the organization that published the content instead.

Example

With an author: (Smith, 2021)
Without an author: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020)

Why It Matters

The author’s name in the citation allows readers to trace the information back to its source. Including the correct author details is crucial for giving proper credit and avoiding plagiarism.

Step 2: Cite the Date of Publication

After the author’s name, include the year of publication in parentheses. If no specific date is available, APA style suggests using "n.d." for "no date."

Example

(Smith, 2021) for a website with a publication date.
(CDC, n.d.) for a website with no date available.

Why It Matters

Providing the publication date is critical in APA style because it allows readers to understand the current information, which is particularly important when citing online sources that may change over time.

Step 3: Incorporate the Title of the Webpage

If no author is available, the web page's title should appear in place of the author’s name in the citation. Titles should be in quotation marks when part of a more extensive work (e.g., a blog post) or in italics for a stand-alone webpage or article.

Example

Title in quotation marks (for a part of a more extensive work): (“Impact of Climate Change,” 2020)
Title in italics (stand-alone source): (The Global Impact of Climate Change, 2020)

Why It Matters

When there is no identifiable author, the web page's title becomes the next best element for helping readers identify the source. Including the title ensures the source can be accurately located and referenced.

Step 4: Include the URL of the Website

Unlike other citation styles, APA does not require URLs to be part of the in-text citation. However, the URL will appear in the complete reference list at the end of the paper.

Why It Matters

Although APA style doesn’t require the URL in the in-text citation, ensuring it is correct in the reference list helps your readers verify the source. Jotbot simplifies this process by automatically providing the proper APA format.

Examples of APA In-Text Citations for Websites

Example 1: Citing a Website with an Author

Scenario: You cite an article written by John Smith in 2021 from a reliable website.
In-text citation: "As Smith (2021) discusses, the global climate is rapidly changing due to industrial pollution."
Parenthetical citation: "The global climate is rapidly changing due to industrial pollution (Smith, 2021)."

Example 2: Citing a Website with No Author

Scenario: You cite an article with no author, published in 2020 by the CDC.
In-text citation: "The CDC (2020) reports that vaccination rates have significantly improved over the past decade."
Parenthetical citation: "Vaccination rates have significantly improved over the past decade (CDC, 2020)."

Example 3: Citing a Website with No Date

Scenario: You cite a page titled The Impact of Virtual Learning with no publication date.
In-text citation: "According to the article, virtual learning has changed the landscape of education in unprecedented ways (The Impact of Virtual Learning, n.d.)."

How Jotbot Helps Automate APA Style Citations for Websites

What to Look For

Manually citing websites using APA style can be time-consuming and prone to errors. This is where tools like Jotbot become invaluable. Jotbot helps by:

It automatically generates APA citations with the correct format and structure based on the website URL.
Offering real-time updates when a website changes or is edited, ensuring that citations stay accurate.
I am simplifying the citation process by ensuring consistency between in-text citations and the reference list.

Why It Matters

For students, researchers, and professionals who must cite numerous websites, Jotbot saves time and guarantees that all in-text citations conform to APA guidelines without manually remembering every rule. This reduces the risk of plagiarism and citation errors.

APA Style Rules to Remember When Citing Websites

Always include the author and date: If no author is available, use the title, and if no date is provided, use "n.d.".
Do not include the full URL in the in-text citation—save this for the reference list.
Be consistent with the formatting: APA style requires specific punctuation and capitalization rules, so attention to detail is essential.

Additional APA Citation Features to Consider

What to Look For

Some additional features of APA citations for websites:

No page numbers: Since most websites don’t have page numbers, you won’t need to include them in the in-text citation.
Titles of webpages: Depending on their role within the more significant work, use quotation marks or italics for titles.

Why It Matters

Keeping track of these details can make a big difference when writing academic papers, and Jotbot handles these nuances automatically.

How to Cite a Website in Text Using MLA Style

MLA style in-text citations for websites focus on the author’s last name (if available) and omit page numbers altogether. To properly format in-text citations for websites, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Identify the Author First

MLA style prefers to include the author’s last name in the in-text citation. If there is no author, use the title of the webpage instead.

Example

With an author: (Smith)
Without an author: (“Global Warming Effects”)

Why It Matters

The author’s name or title of the webpage helps readers trace the source in the Works Cited list. Proper attribution is critical for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism.

Step 2: Omit Page Numbers

Unlike books or articles, websites typically don’t have page numbers. When citing a website in MLA style, you omit page numbers altogether in the in-text citation unless you reference a section with numbered paragraphs.

Example

"Smith argues that climate change is accelerating in the Arctic regions (Smith)."
"The page on global warming emphasizes the need for immediate policy changes (“Global Warming Effects”)."

Why It Matters

In-text citations in MLA style are generally brief, and the Works Cited page is referred back to for complete reference. MLA doesn’t require URLs or page numbers in the in-text citation, as the Works Cited entry will provide detailed information.

Step 3: Include Titles for Websites Without Authors

If the website doesn’t list an author, MLA requires you to include the webpage's title in the in-text citation. The title should be placed in quotation marks if it’s part of a more extensive work (like a blog post) or italicized if it stands alone (like an entire website or a report).

Example

Quotation marks for a part of a larger work: “Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Wildlife.”
Italics for a stand-alone source: The Global Impact of Climate Change.

Why It Matters

When no author is available, the webpage's title becomes the primary identifier for your in-text citation. This lets your readers quickly locate the source in your Works Cited list.

How to Cite a Website in Text Using Chicago Style

Chicago style is known for its flexibility. It offers two different methods of citation: the Notes and Bibliography system (often used in the humanities) and the Author-Date system (standard in the social sciences). This section explains the differences between these two systems and how to apply them to cite websites in text. Both systems handle websites slightly differently than print sources due to the need for page numbers and, often, the absence of precise publication dates or authors.

Step-by-Step Guide to Citing a Website in Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography System)

Step 1: Create a Footnote or Endnote

In the Notes and Bibliography system, the citation for a website should appear in a footnote or endnote at the bottom of the page (footnote) or at the end of the document (endnote).

Example footnote format: John Smith, “The Impact of Climate Change,” Global Environmental News, accessed March 15, 2024, https://www.globalenvironmentnews.com/climate-change.
Why It Matters: Footnotes and endnotes allow for detailed citations without interrupting the text flow, making this system ideal for works that require extensive source explanation.

Step 2: Include Full Details in the Footnote/Endnote

The citation should include the author’s name, the webpage's title, the website name, the access date, and the URL.

Example: John Smith, “The Impact of Climate Change,” Global Environmental News, accessed March 15, 2024, https://www.globalenvironmentnews.com/climate-change.
Why It Matters: The Chicago style requires full details to allow readers to find the exact webpage. The access date is significant because websites are frequently updated, and including it helps to pinpoint when you accessed the source.

Step 3: Add to the Bibliography

At the end of your document, you should include the same citation in your bibliography but with slightly different formatting.

Example Bibliography Entry: Smith, John. “The Impact of Climate Change.” Global Environmental News. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.globalenvironmentnews.com/climate-change.
Why It Matters: The bibliography entry is essential for providing readers with a complete reference to all sources cited in the text. In Chicago style, the footnote/endnote and bibliography entries follow different formats, so it’s important to distinguish between them.

Step-by-Step Guide to Citing a Website in Chicago Style (Author-Date System)

Step 1: Use Parenthetical Citations

In the Author-Date system, the citation appears in parentheses within the text, similar to APA style. It should include the author’s last name and the year of publication.

Example: “According to Smith (2024), the effects of climate change are accelerating rapidly.”
Why It Matters: The Author-Date system is more concise and fits well into academic writing. It requires fewer interruptions to the main text and places only essential citation details within the body of the text.

Step 2: Include the Full Citation in the Reference List

A Reference List (similar to APA’s) should be included at the end of the document. The full citation should provide complete details such as the author’s name, publication year, webpage title, website name, and URL.

Example: Smith, John. 2024. “The Impact of Climate Change.” Global Environmental News. Accessed March 15, 2024. https://www.globalenvironmentnews.com/climate-change.
Why It Matters: The reference list allows readers to access the full details of the source. Chicago’s Author-Date system requires that citations in the text be tied to complete entries in the reference list for transparency and easy verification.

Examples of Chicago In-Text Citations for Websites

1. Citing a Website with an Author (Notes and Bibliography System)

Scenario: You cite a webpage by John Smith on climate change.
Footnote: John Smith, “The Effects of Global Warming,” Climate News, accessed March 10, 2024, https://www.climatenews.org/global-warming.

2. Citing a Website with No Author (Notes and Bibliography System)

Scenario: You cite a webpage titled The Global Warming Crisis with no identifiable author.
Footnote: “The Global Warming Crisis,” Climate Change Today, accessed March 10, 2024, https://www.climatechangetoday.org/global-warming.

3. Citing a Website in the Author-Date System

Scenario: You cite a webpage by John Smith on climate change.
In-text citation: “According to Smith (2024), global warming is accelerating due to human activities.”

How Jotbot Helps Automate Chicago-Style Website Citations

What to Look For

Chicago style’s dual citation systems can be complicated to manage manually, but Jotbot simplifies the process by:

It automatically generates both footnotes and in-text citations based on the selected system.
Ensuring all the necessary details (author, title, access date, and URL) are included for comprehensive citations.
I allow you to effortlessly switch between the Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date systems.

Why It Matters

Using Jotbot ensures that your citations in either Chicago system are formatted correctly and that no critical elements—such as the access date or URL—are forgotten. This saves time and ensures citation accuracy.

Chicago Style Rules to Remember When Citing Websites

Access date

Always include the access date when citing websites, as online content changes frequently.

Footnote vs. bibliography

The format of footnotes and bibliography entries differs in the Notes and Bibliography system, so be sure to adjust the formatting accordingly.

Use author-date

The Author-Date system may be more appropriate for social sciences or less formal writing, as it’s quicker and less disruptive to the text.

Additional Chicago Citation Tips

What to Look For

Detailed footnotes: The Chicago style requires more detailed footnotes than some other citation styles, so include all necessary information.
Be consistent: Use the system you choose (Notes and Bibliography or Author-Date) throughout your document.

Why It Matters

Consistency in citation style is critical to a well-organized and professional-looking document. With Jotbot, you can ensure all citations are formatted uniformly and correctly.

Common Citation Errors and How to Avoid Them

Missing Author Information

Citing a website without an author is one of the most common mistakes writers make. Sometimes, a website doesn’t feature a specific author, and other times, users simply overlook the author's information. In either case, it’s essential to adequately handle missing author information in in-text citations and references to avoid confusion and maintain credibility.

When a website lacks a specific author, you can use the organization name or the web page's title instead of the author. Each citation style has its own rules for handling missing authors:

APA

Use the title of the webpage in italics.

Example: (“Global Climate Crisis,” 2020)

MLA

Use the webpage title in quotation marks.

Example: (“Global Climate Crisis”)

Chicago (Notes and Bibliography)

Include the title in the footnote.

Example: 1. “Global Climate Crisis,” Climate News, accessed January 10, 2024, https://www.climatenews.com.

Failing to handle missing author information properly can result in incomplete citations that confuse readers or penalties for incorrect citation formatting.

Inconsistent Formatting in Citations

Another central area for improvement is consistent citation formatting, especially when switching between citation styles or handling multiple sources. Writers often mix up the rules for capitalization, punctuation, and italics.

Always double-check your citation style guidelines or use a citation tool like Jotbot to ensure your formatting is consistent across all citations. Here are a few tips for each style:

APA

Always italicize the webpage's title if it stands alone, and use sentence case (only the first word of the title is capitalized).

MLA

Place titles in quotation marks if they are part of a more significant work (e.g., a section of a website), and use title case (capitalize the first letter of each important word).

Chicago

Footnotes and bibliography entries have different formatting rules. Ensure you format each entry correctly based on whether it’s in the footnote or bibliography.

Inconsistent formatting makes your work look unprofessional and can confuse readers trying to follow your references. Proper formatting also helps maintain the credibility of your research.

Forgetting to Include Access Dates for Websites

Since websites are frequently updated, failing to include the access date in your citation is a common mistake. This is particularly important in styles like Chicago and sometimes MLA when citing online sources.

Always include the website access date when citing content that may change or be updated.

APA

It only requires access dates if the content is likely to change (e.g., wikis, blogs).

MLA

Including access dates is optional but recommended.

Chicago

Always include the access date after the URL in Notes and Bibliography citations.

Without the access date, readers may not be able to find the exact version of the webpage you referenced, mainly if the website has changed since you cited it. Including the access date ensures transparency and credibility.

Not Including the Full URL or DOI

Another standard error is failing to include the full URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for websites and online journal articles. URLs are essential for digital sources, providing direct access to the referenced material.

Always include the complete URL or DOI in the citation. Do not shorten or omit parts of the URL, as this can make it difficult for readers to locate the source.

APA and MLA

Include the full URL at the end of the citation.

Example: https://www.example.com/article

Chicago (Notes and Bibliography)

Include the full URL and the access date.

Example: 1. John Smith, “The Effects of Climate Change,” Global Environmental News, accessed March 15, 2024, https://www.globalenvironmentnews.com/climate-change.

You must include parts of the URL or DOI to avoid broken links or confusion when readers try to access your sources.

Using Outdated Citation Guidelines

Many writers need to learn to use outdated citation guidelines, which can lead to errors in formatting their in-text citations and reference lists. This is especially common with students unfamiliar with recent citation style updates like APA or MLA.

Always consult the latest edition of your citation style guide, as citation rules are periodically updated. Here are the current editions of the most common styles:

APA: 7th Edition
MLA: 9th Edition
Chicago: 17th Edition

Using a citation management tool like Jotbot ensures that you always cite websites according to the most recent guidelines, as the tool automatically updates with the latest rules.

Using outdated citation guidelines can lead to point deductions in academic settings or diminished credibility in professional writing.

Not Verifying the Credibility of the Website

Citing unreliable or non-credible websites is a significant error that can undermine the trustworthiness of your work. Not all websites are suitable for academic or professional citation.

Always verify the credibility of the websites you’re citing. Reliable websites include:

Academic journals
Government websites
Educational institutions
Well-known media outlets

Avoid citing blogs, forums, or websites without an identifiable author or publication date unless they are from a credible source.

Using non-credible sources can weaken your argument and affect the overall quality of your work. Credible sources add value and trustworthiness to your writing.

How Jotbot Makes Citing Websites Effortless

Find and Cite Sources: Jotbot's Unique Feature for Stress-Free Citations

Researching and citing sources can take time and effort. Jotbot's unique Find and Cite Sources capability simplifies this process and helps you focus on your writing. This feature allows you to research and cite sources, especially websites, without leaving your document. You can reduce distractions, maintain your flow, and improve your productivity.

AI Autocomplete and Draft Generator: Boost Your Research with Jotbot's Smart Features

In addition to helping you find and cite sources, Jotbot's AI Autocomplete and Draft Generator enhance your research efficiency. As you write, Jotbot's AI-powered tools suggest content ideas and even help you generate entire paragraphs. By integrating accurate citation information as you draft, Jotbot enables you to maintain the integrity of your academic work and avoid potential plagiarism issues.

Real-World Example: See How Jotbot Can Save You Time

A case study on Jotbot's effectiveness showed that students who used the AI tool to help with their research papers saved an average of four hours per project compared to manual citation methods. Using a tool like Jotbot can significantly improve research efficiency and reduce the burden of citation management.

Do you need to include the date in the website citations?

In academic writing, websites offer valuable information but don’t always have identifiable authors or dates. If you’re using a source without a date, cite it just like any other source. First, list the information you know, like the author or organization, and the publication date, if applicable. If there’s no date, simply note that in your writing and reference list.

In your writing, state something like, “According to a 2020 article by the Environmental News Organization… “ and then provide an in-text citation (if required) and a complete reference entry. If there’s no author listed for the article, you can substitute the title for the author in both the in-text citation and reference entry. This will help your readers track down the source for more information and avoid confusing them.

Citing Websites Without a Date in APA Style

The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is commonly used in social sciences writing. If you’re using a website without a date in your writing, here’s how to cite it in

APA style

In-Text Citation: Use the webpage's title in italics in the in-text citation.

Example

(“Global Warming Effects,” 2020).

Reference Entry

Global warming effects. (n.d.). Environmental News. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from https://www.environmentalnews.org.

Citing Websites Without a Date in MLA Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is commonly used for writing in the humanities. If you’re using a website without a date in your writing, here’s how to cite it in MLA style:

In-Text Citation

Use the webpage title in quotation marks.

Example

(“Global Warming Effects”).

Works Cited Entry

“Global Warming Effects.” Environmental News, n.d., https://www.environmentalnews.org. Accessed 10 Jan. 2024.

Citing Websites Without a Date in Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) has two citation styles: notes, bibliography and author-date. The notes and bibliography style is commonly used for writing in the humanities. If you’re using a website without a date in your writing, here’s how to cite it in Chicago style:

In-Text Citation

Include the title in the footnote or endnote, and list it in the bibliography.

Example

“Global Warming Effects,” accessed January 10, 2024, https://www.environmentalnews.org.

Bibliography Entry

“Global Warming Effects.” Accessed January 10, 2024. https://www.environmentalnews.org.

Correctly citing sources without an author ensures your citation is still transparent and trackable. Using the webpage's title helps the reader locate the source in your full bibliography or reference list. Write more intelligently, not harder, with Jotbot's AI writing assistant. Start finding sources that are accessible with Jotbot's source finder today. Sign in with Google and get started in seconds.

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