How to Cite a URL

By: Gcite Citation Team | March 19, 2024

What is a URL and where are they located?

A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is the address of a resource on the internet. URLs allow access to webpages, documents, images, videos, and other online content. Each URL is unique, leading directly to a specific resource.

Pro Tips for Citing a URL

• 🔗 Include the full URL in your citation.
  • The full URL ensures that readers can directly access the cited resource.
  • Check the URL for accuracy and ensure it leads directly to the content you are citing.
• 🕒 Note the access date for online resources.
  • Web content can change over time. Recording the access date helps others verify the content.
  • Include the date you last visited the URL in your citation.
• 🔍 Verify the credibility of the content.
  • Check the domain name and the authorship for indicators of reliability (.edu, .gov, .org, etc.).
  • Assess the content for bias, accuracy, and timeliness.
• 📚 URLs can be host to many types of sources, not just webpages.
  • Determine if the URL leads to a webpages, blog post, news article, or other types of content.
  • Adjust your citation to fit the nature of the content, including details like authorship, publication date, and content type.

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