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.
Feb 3, 2026
By
Joe Pacal, MSc
Search citation styles
TL;DR
Cite with author, date, post title, blog name, and URL. APA puts titles in italics; MLA uses quotation marks for post titles, italics for blog names. Consider whether the blog is credible enough for academic work—expert blogs often are, random personal blogs often aren't.
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):
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of blog post. Blog Name. URL
Example:
Smith, J. (2024, March 15). Understanding new citation standards. Academic Writing Tips. https://academicwritingtips.com/citation-standards
Note: APA 7th italicizes the post title (treating the post as a standalone work).
MLA (9th Edition):
Author. "Title of Blog Post." Blog Name, Day Month Year, URL.
Example:
Smith, Jordan. "Understanding New Citation Standards." Academic Writing Tips, 15 Mar. 2024, www.academicwritingtips.com/citation-standards.
MLA puts post titles in quotes, blog names in italics.
Chicago (Notes-Bibliography):
Note:
Jordan Smith, "Understanding New Citation Standards," Academic Writing Tips (blog), March 15, 2024, URL.
Bibliography:
Smith, Jordan. "Understanding New Citation Standards." Academic Writing Tips (blog). March 15, 2024. URL.
Chicago often adds "(blog)" to clarify the source type.
Author Types
Named individual author:
Smith, J. (2024). Post title...
Organization or company:
Google. (2024). Post title. Google Blog. URL
Username or handle:
TechGuru42. (2024). Post title. Tech Insights Blog. URL
If you can identify the real name behind a username, some styles prefer the real name.
No author identified: Start with the post title:
Understanding new standards. (2024, March 15). Blog Name. URL
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:
Username. (Year, Month Day). Comment on "Post title." Blog Name. URL (if directly linkable)
Consider whether the comment is really necessary for your argument.
Undated Blog Posts
If no date is visible, use (n.d.) for "no date":
Author, A. A. (n.d.). Title of post. Blog Name. URL
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:
Author, A. A. (Year updated, Month Day). Title (Original post Year). Blog Name. URL
Or note the update in your text:
Smith (2020, updated 2024) argued...
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.
