How to Cite Website with No Author or Date APA
Citing a website without an author or a publication date can be challenging, especially when adhering to the APA (American Psychological Association) citation format. However, with a few guidelines, you can still create a proper citation that is both accurate and compliant with APA standards. In this article, we will discuss the steps to follow when citing a website without an author or a date in APA format.
Step 1: Start with the Website Title
The first element of a citation is the title of the web page or article. If the title is lengthy, you can truncate it to fit the APA format requirements. For instance, if the title is “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities,” you can abbreviate it to “Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities.”
Step 2: Include the Website URL
The next component of the citation is the URL of the website. It is essential to include the full URL, starting with “http://” or “https://.” Make sure to remove any access dates, as these are not required in APA format.
Step 3: Specify the Date of Access (Optional)
While APA format does not require the date of access, you may choose to include it if you find it helpful. If you do, place the date of access after the URL, separated by a comma. For example, “Date accessed: January 1, 2023.”
Step 4: Add the Publication Date (If Available)
If the website has a publication date, include it after the date of access, separated by a semicolon. If the publication date is not available, omit this element. For example, “Publication date: January 1, 2023; Date accessed: January 1, 2023.”
Step 5: Format the In-text Citation
When citing the website in the text of your paper, use the author’s last name and the year of publication (if available) in parentheses. If the author’s name is not available, use the first few words of the title instead. For example: (Climate Change, 2023) or (Impact of Climate Change, 2023).
Step 6: Create the Reference List Entry
In the reference list, include the website title, URL, and publication date (if available) in the following format:
Website Title. Retrieved from [URL]
For example:
Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities. Retrieved from [URL]
By following these steps, you can create a proper APA citation for a website without an author or a publication date. Remember to always double-check the APA guidelines and consult your instructor or the APA manual for any specific requirements.