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Bluebook Website Citation: Simple Guide With Examples

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever found yourself stumped on how to cite a website correctly for law school assignments or legal writing? You’re not alone. Citing websites using Bluebook style can feel confusing, but getting it right is crucial for credibility and compliance with academic standards.

This article breaks down exactly how to cite a website in Bluebook format. You’ll find clear steps, useful tips, and practical examples—making even the trickiest citation questions easy to tackle.

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How to Cite a Website in Bluebook Style: The Essential Guide

If you are writing a law review article, legal memorandum, or any formal legal document, you are likely required to use The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. Properly citing websites has become increasingly important as more legal materials are published exclusively online. This comprehensive guide explains, in simple terms, how to create a correct Bluebook website citation, why it matters, step-by-step instructions, and tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Understanding Bluebook Citation for Websites

The Bluebook is the definitive citation style for legal documents in the United States. Websites fall under “Internet and Electronic Resources,” governed mainly by Rule 18 of The Bluebook. The goal is simple: enable readers to locate your source reliably, knowing when and where you accessed it.

When citing a website, you need to include enough detail to uniquely identify the information, maintain the professionalism expected in legal writing, and ensure your citation will remain useful even as websites change.

Key Elements of a Bluebook Website Citation

Citing a website in Bluebook style typically requires the following components:

  1. Author or Institution: Who created or is responsible for the content.
  2. Title of the Page or Document: Usually in italics or normal type (case-specific).
  3. Website/Institution Name: Only if it’s not redundant with the author.
  4. URL: The full, direct link to the specific page.
  5. Date of Publication or Last Update: If available.
  6. Date of Access: Especially if content is likely to change or has no date.

Let’s break these down further and see how they come together.


Bluebook Rules: Internet Citation - Oklahoma City University - bluebook website citation

Creating a Bluebook Website Citation: Step-by-Step

  1. Identify the Author or Institution
  2. This could be an individual or an organization (e.g., Supreme Court of the United States, American Bar Association).

  3. If there is no author, begin with the title.

  4. Find the Document or Page Title

  5. Look for the title at the top of the page—use official titles rather than improvising.

  6. Check for Website or Institution Name

  7. If you haven’t already named the institution as the author, include it here.

  8. Skip if redundant.

  9. Copy the Precise URL

  10. Bluebook requires a working URL leading directly to the referenced material.

  11. Skip tracking parameters at the end, unless required to reach the source.

  12. Record the Most Relevant Date

  13. Use the date of publication or latest update.

  14. If there is no date, write “last visited” with your access date. Bluebook sometimes abbreviates as “(last visited May 2, 2024)”.

  15. Assemble the Citation

  16. General format:

    Author, Title, Website Name, URL (Date).

  17. If you accessed the website on a specific date and there is no publication date, use “last visited”:

    Author, Title, Website Name, URL (last visited Month Day, Year).

Sample Citations

  • With Author and Date:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality Data, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/air-data (Mar. 14, 2024).

  • Without Author, With Access Date:

Environmental Law News Update, https://www.environmentallawupdate.com (last visited Apr. 30, 2024).

  • Institution as Author:

Supreme Court of California, Oral Argument Webcasts, https://www.courts.ca.gov/oralargumentwebcasts.htm (last visited May 2, 2024).

Best Practices and Practical Tips

  • Use Reliable URLs

  • Use “permalink” or archival links (like those from web archives or official document repositories) when possible, especially for sources likely to change.

  • Be Consistent

  • Stay consistent in formatting throughout your document—watch for italics, punctuation, and spacing.

  • Double-Check the Date

  • If a website is regularly updated, including the access date is crucial.

  • Include Sufficient Detail

  • Avoid leaving out authors or institution names if available.

  • Avoid Redundancy

  • If the website or publisher is the same as the author, don’t repeat it.

  • Use Short Form Citations

  • If citing the same website later, use an acceptable short form as per Bluebook rules.

  • Cite Official or Authoritative Versions

  • When possible, cite the official government or organization site, rather than third-party re-posts.

Benefits of Proper Bluebook Website Citation

  • Credibility: Accurate citations enhance your work’s reliability and professionalism.
  • Traceability: Readers can find your sources quickly.
  • Ethics: Properly crediting sources avoids plagiarism.
  • Longevity: Detailed citations help readers find materials even if URLs change over time.

Challenges When Citing Websites

  • Disappearing Content: Websites may change or disappear (known as “link rot”). Using web archiving services can help.
  • Lack of Dates or Authors: Not all sites provide a clear date or author; use “last visited” or begin with the title if needed.
  • Complex URLs: Some links are excessively long or include session information. Trim to the core URL.
  • Frequent Updates: If content changes often, access date becomes very important.

Bluebook Website Citation: Detailed Aspects

When to Include the Access Date

The “last visited” date is needed when:
– The site lacks a clear publication or update date.
– Content is likely to change (e.g., blogs, news sites, regularly updated resources).
– The information may be disputed or needs time-stamping for clarity.

Italicizing and Punctuation

  • Page titles are usually not italicized for websites (check Bluebook rules for exceptions).
  • End the citation with a period, except when the URL ends with one—then, omit the extra stop.
  • Parentheses are used for dates.

Short Form Citations

For repeated citations, you may use a short form:
– Name of the author or institutional author
– A shortened version of the page/document title (if not ambiguous)
– Id. may be used if the previous citation is exactly the same

Practical Advice: Making Your Website Citations Even Better

1. Use Citation Generators Prudently

Modern tools and citation generators can help, but always double-check output for compliance with Bluebook rules. They may not catch every nuance.

2. Archive Sources When Possible

Consider saving a copy of the webpage in a web archive (such as the Wayback Machine) and cite the archived version if the content is volatile.

3. Detailed Notes for Yourself

When gathering source material, always keep records:
– The date accessed
– The original full URL
– Author and page title (you’ll save time later)

4. For Law Reviews and Court Documents

Strict adherence to Bluebook is most important for law review, journal, and court submissions. For less formal papers, guidance may be more flexible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to include the “last visited” date when there’s no publication date.
  • Double-mentioning the institution as both author and website name.
  • Referencing only the home page when citing a specific document.
  • Using broken or outdated links—always test your URLs.

Cost Tips When Sourcing Website Citations

  • No Fees for Citation: Citing a website is free—there’s no cost to access Bluebook rules about web citation at most law libraries.
  • Access to The Bluebook: If you don’t own a Bluebook, law libraries often provide print and digital access without charge.
  • Citation Management Tools: Many cost-free online citation generators support Bluebook style—use them efficiently to save time and reduce manual errors.

In Summary

Citing a website in Bluebook style can seem daunting, but it boils down to accurately recording the author, title, URL, and relevant dates so your reader can always find the source. Follow the step-by-step process, remember key formatting rules, and always double-check your work. Adhering to these principles not only meets formal requirements but also strengthens the trustworthiness of your legal writing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if the website doesn’t list an author?
Start your citation with the title of the page or document. Include as much identifying information about the website or institution as possible.

Do I always need to include a “last visited” date?
You should include a “last visited” date if the site does not give a clear publication or update date, or if the content is likely to change often.

Should I use the full URL even if it’s very long?
Yes, include the direct and full URL that leads readers to the specific content. However, remove superfluous tracking parameters when possible.

Can I cite a web page in my legal brief, or only in academic writing?
You may cite websites in both academic work and legal briefs, especially when no official print source exists. Ensure the information is reliable and cite according to Bluebook rules.

What if I found a PDF or document through a website—do I cite the document or the web page?
Cite the document itself, including the document’s title, author, and a direct link to the PDF or resource. If needed, also reference the website where it was found.

By following these guidelines and recommendations, you can confidently cite internet resources using Bluebook style—and ensure your readers can always follow your research trail.

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