How to Cite a Blog Post

Blogs range from casual personal musings to authoritative expert commentary. The citation format is straightforward, but deciding whether a blog is an appropriate source requires judgment. Here's how to handle both.

Basic Blog Citation

Most blog citations need the author (individual, organization, or username), the post date, the post title, the blog name or site, and the URL.

Quick Reference by Major Style

APA (7th Edition):

Example:

Note: APA 7th italicizes the post title (treating the post as a standalone work).

MLA (9th Edition):

Example:

MLA puts post titles in quotes, blog names in italics.

Chicago (Notes-Bibliography):

Note:

Bibliography:

Chicago often adds "(blog)" to clarify the source type.

Author Types

Named individual author:

Organization or company:

Username or handle:

If you can identify the real name behind a username, some styles prefer the real name.

No author identified: Start with the post title:

Blog Posts vs. Online Articles

The line between "blog" and "online article" blurs. Consider it a blog if the site calls it a blog, if posts are dated and informal/semi-formal, or if individual voices are prominent.

Treat it as an online article if it's on a news site or magazine, if it follows journalistic conventions, or if multiple editors/reviewers are involved.

When in doubt, the format is similar—author, date, title, source, URL.

Academic and Expert Blogs

Blogs by researchers, professionals, and institutions can be legitimate sources:

• Researcher blogs: Personal sites where academics discuss their work.
• Institutional blogs: Universities, research centers, professional associations.
• Industry expert blogs: Practitioners writing about their field.

These may be appropriate for academic work when the author has relevant expertise, the content is substantive and well-reasoned, and no peer-reviewed source covers the topic.

When Blogs Aren't Appropriate

Be cautious about citing blogs when peer-reviewed sources exist on the topic, the author lacks identifiable credentials, the blog is primarily opinion without evidence, or the content is outdated or potentially inaccurate.

For formal academic papers, peer-reviewed sources should be your primary foundation. Blogs supplement—they don't replace—scholarly literature.

Blog Comments

Generally avoid citing blog comments. They're informal, often anonymous, and not substantive sources.

If you must cite a comment:

Consider whether the comment is really necessary for your argument.

Undated Blog Posts

If no date is visible, use (n.d.) for "no date":

Check for dates in the URL, post metadata, or "first published" notes.

Blog Posts That Have Been Updated

If the post shows both original and updated dates:

Or note the update in your text:

Citing Multiple Posts From Same Blog

If drawing on several posts, cite each individually. Don't cite "the blog" in general—cite specific posts that support your points.

Verifying Blog Citations

Unlike journal articles, blog posts can be edited or removed. Access posts early, save copies for your records, and verify URLs before submission.

If a post disappears, check the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine).

The exact formatting for blog citations depends on your required citation style. Check the specific guide for your discipline below.