Answered By: Raechel Gump - Library Specialist
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2023     Views: 529

Although often web pages and websites are used to mean the same thing, these two words are not the same. Usually, when we are using content on a website, we are using a web page within that website. The name of a web page is the name of the page where you get your content which usually lives on a website (see also APA Style 7th ed., sect. 10.16, ex. 110-114).

Most web pages will follow this template.

Author’s last name, First initial. Second Initial. (date of last update or n.d. if none). Title of web page: Subtitle of web page. Title of Website. URL

 

If there is no author, the title of the web page takes the position of the author.

Title of web page: Subtitle of web page. (date of last update or n.d. if none). Title of Website. URL

 

If the website’s author is the same as the title of the web site it will follow this template. Notice how the title of the website is not required if it is also the name of the author.

Author’s last name, First initial. Second Initial. (date of last update or n.d. if none). Title of web page: Subtitle of web page. URL

 

Examples:

Web Page with Author and Date

Carter, E. (2018, July 24). Best 7 essential oils for cuts, scrapes, and wounds. Essential Oil Haven. https://www.essentialoilhaven.com/essential-oils-for-cuts-scrapes-wounds

 

Web Page with Author and No Date

The date of the web page is the date the page was created or published. A review date or copyright date do not count as a publication date.

Cronkleton, E. (n.d.). Can you reduce the appearance of scars with oils? 13 oils to try. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/essential-oils-for-scars

 

Web Page with No Author

Can essential oils help wounds heal? (2019, August 26). Advanced Tissue. https://advancedtissue.com/2019/08/can-essential-oils-help-wounds-heal

 

Web Page with No Author and No Date

Healing power of lavender. (n.d.). Central Coast Lavender Farm & Apothecary. http://www.centralcoastlavender.com/healing-power-of-lavender

 

Web Page Authored by the Website Owner

When the author of site is the same as the website title, omit the website title.

World Health Organization. (2020, April 23). WHO reports fivefold increase in cyber-attacks urge vigilance. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/23-04-2020-who-reports-fivefold-increase-in-cyber-attacks-urges-vigilance

 

News Websites vs. News Periodicals (available both on the web and in-print)

News websites non-print media outlets; these include, but are not limited to:

  • CNN
  • MSNBC
  • BBC News
  • Vox
  • Reuters

Cite these using the normal website template.

News periodicals are sources like newspapers, magazines, and journals that have both online and in-print stories. These include, but are not limited to:

  • The Washington Post
  • The New York Times
  • Newsweek
  • Forbes

Cite these using the correct periodical templates for newspapers, magazines, or journals as appropriate.

A citation on a news website will use the same formatting as a normal website. The title of the web page will be in italics in sentence case (capitalize first word and proper nouns) and the title of the website will be in normal font with major words capitalized.

Savage, M. (2021, January 19). Classic bands accused of crowding out new music on streaming services. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55717156

 

An article from a print newspaper or magazine will follow the periodical example, the title of the article will be in normal font in sentence case (capitalize first word and proper nouns) and the title of the periodical will be italicized with major words capitalized.

Raviv, S. & Sullivan, J. (2020, August 24). Deadly force behind the wheel. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/investigations/pit-maneuver-police-deaths/

Home Page of a Website

When citing website sources, there is usually no usable information on the source home page. You should always try to cite one of the pages from the site that has actual content. 

If you do cite text from the home page of a site, use the name of the website in Italics, add the date of publication (usually n.d.), and the homepage URL. 

Smokey Valley Stone Company, Inc.. (n.d.). http://www.smokeyvalleystone.com/

Alternatively, you could use the name of the company as the author, and the title Home page in italics, like this:

Smokey Valley Stone Company, Inc. (n.d.). Home page. http://www.smokeyvalleystone.com/

If you just mention the name of a site in passing do not include a citation or a reference for the website. Just include the name of the website in your text and follow it with the URL in parentheses:

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com/) website includes all the content of a regular in print dictionary.

 

Please contact one of our Librarians in person or through our Ask a Librarian if you have questions.

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