How to Cite a Web Source in APA Format When There Is No Author?

Serena Spinello Updated April 17, 2017
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APA is the citation format used within psychology, social sciences, education and business arenas. The American Psychological Association created the system along with specific guidelines on how you properly credit different types of sources or mediums. For example, you reference printed journals and books differently you cite information and documents accessed on the web.

Open the word program you’re using and select the Times New Roman font, size 12. Type “References" (do not use parenthesis) on the first line and center it. Set the document to double-space as APA rules dictate you double-space.

Go online to the web source that you wish to reference and identify the category of the web source. Your source may include an online scholarly journal article, online periodical or database article, electronic book, online encyclopedia or dictionary, nonperiodical web document, web page, blog, online lecture notes, report or presentation slide.

Visit the Long Island University’s APA Citation Style web page and scroll down to where it says “Websites.” Follow the citation example that’s illustrated within that category “Page With a No Author.”

Type the title of the site in italics, followed by a period.

Enter the date that is on the website in parenthesis, followed by a period.

Type in the word “Retrieved” followed by the date that you accessed the website, then add a comma and the word “from.” Next, type the name of the website, followed by a colon and the complete URL of the website.

Warnings

  • Be advised that the citation example above is correct if you’re citing the entire website in a broad way. However, if you’re referencing an explicit section of the site or quoting it word for word, you must indicate the specific page number that corresponds to the citation.
  • Follow the APA guidelines for your parenthetical citations (in-text) as well.

Tips

  • Make sure that your entire reference list adheres to the APA guidelines. This means that all lines after the first line of each entry in your reference list should be indented 1/2 inch from the left margin and list entries should be alphabetized by the last name of the first author of each work.

References

About the Author

Serena Spinello holds two master’s degrees and is pursuing her Ph.D. in medical science. She has been a professional writer and researcher for over 10 years and is an active member of the American Medical Writers Association, Academy of Medical Educators, and the National Association of Social Workers.

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