How to Cite a Website With no Author: A Simple Guide

Every student has their ups and downs and many don’t really know how to cite a website with no author. Actually, this happens super often. Also, in reality, citing correctly in general can feel daunting.

Although, in this guide, we’ll break down how to handle this situation in the most popular citation styles, APA and MLA. Then, by the end you’ll be a pro at citing websites without authors keeping your work as sharp as possible.

What are you waiting for? Let’s get in!

Why citing websites is important

When you cite an internet site, it might feel like a task from a pile. But while writing a paper it’s actually super important. And that’s because when you properly cite your sources, you’re showing that your arguments are backed up. This, in turn, helps your readers trust what you’re saying. Since they can easily check where your data comes from.

But, it’s not all about dodging plagiarism. In fact, citing websites the right way shows you’re respecting other’s work. Plus, when you add those citations, you’re backing up your arguments with real evidence. Which makes everything you’re saying way more convincing.

What’s even better is that citing your sources gives readers the chance to dive deeper into the original material if they’re curious. It’s like inviting them to explore more, which helps everyone get a better grasp of the topic. Furthermore, getting the hang of citations sharpens your research skills. Therefore, it makes you really think critically about where your information is coming from and whether it’s solid.

So, it doesn’t matter whatever you’re working on, getting your website citations right is key to keeping things legit.

How to cite a website with no author: APA style

Are you in need to do a citation of a webpage with the most famous style? Keep reading:

1. Start by adding the title: Remember that this one should be in italics, followed by a period. Additionally, if the webpage has a specific title (rather than just a homepage), use that. And remember to be sure to use sentence case.

2. Date of publication: Also, include the date when the webpage was published. Following, if this information is available, write it in parentheses. And finally, it should look like this (Year, Month Day).

But remember that if no date if available, use “n.d.” (no date) in place of the publication date.

3. Website name: After the title and date, you need to put the website’s name. This should be in regular font and not italicized. It helps to provide the reader with more context about the source.

4. URL:  Finally, provide the URL of the webpage. Be sure to include the full link, starting with “https://” to ensure that the citation is complete and functional. Do not end the URL with a period to avoid confusion.

Example citation

Here’s an example of how the final citation would look in APA format:

Title of the Webpage. (Year, Month Day). Website Name. URL

For example:

Lamine Yamal: The Stats That Made Him a Legend at Just 16. (2024, May 15). Mundo Deportivo. https://www.mundodeportivo.com/us/en/soccer/20240515/689828/lamine-yamal-the-stats-that-made-him-legend-at-just-16-nrt.html

How to cite a website with no author: MLA format

Okay, there are some styles beyond APA and one of them if MLA. And in reality, using it it’s super simple. And what you need to do is to follow the steps below to guarantee the best results:

1. Title of the webpage: So, the first element of your citation is the title of the webpage. Also, in this style, the title goes in quotation marks and formatted with title case. In other words, put in capitals the first and last words of the title.

2. Website name: Next, provide the name of the website. This part is italicized and typically follows directly after the title. The website’s name should be written in full, and it should reflect the platform where the content is published, such as a news outlet, a blog, or an organization.

3. Date of publication: Now, after the website’s name, you should list the publication date of the webpage. Additionally, if it’s available, the date should follow the format Day Month Year (e.g., 11 Aug. 2023).

4. URL: Finally, include the full URL of the webpage. Also, make sure to use the full link, starting with “https://” or “http://”.

Example citation

“Title of the Webpage.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.

An example of this cite would be: “How Does the YouTube Shorts Algorithm Work in 2024?” 5, March. 2024, https://castos.com/youtube-shorts-algorithm/

Additional tips on how to cite a website with no author

To be honest, citing is non-negotiable in any form of academic writing. But, even if it might be straightforward, sometimes you find yourself not knowing how to cite a website with no author.

Well, to do this, there are additional tips and guidelines that can help ensure your citation is accurate and consistent with citation standards. So, here are the key points:

1. Start with the title

First things first; if the site has no identifiable author, the title of the page becomes the first element in your citation. Therefore, be sure to format the title correctly by using quotation marks around the page title. This helps distinguish it as the primary source of your reference. Adding to that, remember to use title case.

2. Use the website’s full name

After the title, include the full name of the website, italicized. This lets the reader know where the webpage was published and provides more context for your source. Avoid abbreviations or shortened versions of the website name to ensure clarity and accuracy.

3. Date of publication is key (if available)

Whenever possible, include the publication date of the webpage. If you can’t find an exact date, use “n.d.” (no date) to indicate that the information was not provided. If the page is regularly updated or changes frequently, you can note the last updated date to give your citation even more context.

4. Accurate URL formatting

Including the correct URL is vital. MLA format encourages a complete URL, but it’s important to leave off any unnecessary punctuation marks, such as periods at the end of the URL. When citing the web address, use the “https://” or “http://” format, but keep in mind that MLA style no longer requires this to be labeled as “http://”. Just make sure that the URL is active and leads directly to the page you referenced.

5. Incorporate the source’s context

If the webpage is part of a larger publication, such as an online magazine or journal, be sure to reference that context. This gives a clearer picture of where the article fits into the larger content. Adding this detail can make your citation more precise and informative, especially for academic readers.

Struggling to know how to cite a website with no author? Let Arvin AI help!

The bottom line is that to citing an internet site is difficult but not impossible. But, remember that it can get especially hard when you’re focusing on the content. Also, with so many rules to remember, it’s easy to get lost in the details. But don’t worry, Arvin AI is here to simplify the process for you.

Since this AI Chrome extension is powered by GPT-4, you’re in for the perfect tool to help you with citations. That’s because it makes sure you get every detail right. Whether you’re unsure of how to format the webpage title, handle the website name, or correctly place the URL, Arvin AI walks you through the steps with ease.

It’s not just about grammar correction – Arvin AI helps you spot citation errors, suggests improvements, and makes sure your references are accurate, all in one easy-to-use tool.

FAQs

Is it okay to skip the author entirely when citing a website?

Yes! Actually, if you’re dealing with a website that doesn’t list an author, you don’t need to stress. In reality, just leave that part out. Instead, focus on what’s available. To illustrate this, you can start with the title. Then, you add the website name and the publication date. Next, you follow it by the URL.

How do I format a website citation in Harvard style if there’s no author?

When you want to do this style, the citation begins with the title of the webpage- The, you put the year of publication (if available), and the URL. Also, remember that if no publication date is given, use “n.d.”

Here’s an example:

“Title of the Webpage” (n.d.). Website Name. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year).

How do I cite a website with no author if the webpage is part of a larger online publication?

Well, if the site is part of a larger online publication, just include the title of the webpage. Likewise, you need to follow by the title of the larger publication.

For example:

“Title of the Webpage.” Title of the Website, Date of Publication, URL.