Citing Blogs in APA Format: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to scholarly writing and research, adhering to a standardized citation format such as APA (American Psychological Association) is crucial. This not only gives credit to the original sources but also enhances the credibility and reliability of your research. While APA is primarily used in social sciences, its principles can also be applied to citing various online sources, including blogs. In this article, we will explore how to properly cite a blog post in APA format, providing a detailed guide and examples for your convenience.

Introduction to APA Citation and Blogs

APA citation is a widely used and respected style for academic papers, reports, and research publications in the social sciences. It follows a structured format that includes author, date, title, and source details. When it comes to blogs, blogs can be cited as websites. However, treating blogs as a reliable source for scholarly research has been debated, as they are often informal and can lack the rigorous peer review process associated with scholarly articles.

General Guidelines for Citing Websites in APA Format

Similar to other websites, a blog post can be cited using the following general format in APA:

Author Name A. A. (Year Month and Date). Specific post title. Blog name. URL of the blog post (Accessed Month Day, Year)

For example:

Kirschenbaum, M. (2017, January 4). 10 ways to spot a fake news article [Blog post]. Retrieved from

Steps to Cite a Blog Post in APA Format

The process of citing a blog post in APA format involves several key steps, including identifying the necessary details and organizing them in the correct format:

Author’s Last Name, First Initial: The name of the author of the post. If no author is provided, use the name of the blog. Date of Publication: The date the post was published, which can be found at the bottom of the blog post or in the header. Title of the Post: The title of the post, wrapped in italics and properly capitalized. Title of the Blog: The name of the blog, also wrapped in italics. URL of the Post: The direct link to the blog post, which can be found in the header or footer of the blog.

Example in APA Format

To illustrate the APA citation format for a blog post, let's consider a more detailed example:

Adams, F. (2021, March 15). Plagiarism Checkers in The Writing Process [Blog post]. Retrieved from

Additional Resources and Recommendations

If you need further assistance with APA citation or blog citations, there are several APA citation generators available online that can help you create citations quickly and accurately. These tools are particularly useful for managing multiple citations and ensuring consistency in your academic writing.

Additionally, for more detailed information on citing different types of sources, including blogs, you may refer to official APA style guides and online resources such as the EasyBib Blog, which provides comprehensive guides on various citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago.