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How to Cite Websites in ACS Format: A Complete Guide

By ACS Citation Team
websites
digital sources
online citations
beginner guide

When writing scientific papers, properly citing online sources is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and allowing readers to verify your sources. This guide will walk you through the process of citing websites in ACS (American Chemical Society) format.

Basic Format for Website Citations in ACS Style

The basic format for citing a website in ACS style is:

Author (if available). Title of Site. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Examples of Website Citations

  1. Website with an Author:
Smith, J. K. Understanding Chemical Reactions. https://chemistryexample.com/reactions (accessed December 21, 2024).
  1. Organization Website:
American Chemical Society. ACS Style Guide. https://www.acs.org/style-guide (accessed December 21, 2024).
  1. Website without an Author:
Chemical Structures Database. https://chemstructures.org (accessed December 21, 2024).

Key Elements to Include

When citing a website in ACS format, make sure to include:

  1. Author Information

    • Individual author names (if available)
    • Organization name (if no individual author)
    • Omit author if none is listed

  2. Title

    • Use the webpage title or website name
    • Maintain original capitalization

  3. URL

    • Include the complete URL
    • Remove hyperlinks in final document

  4. Access Date

    • Always include when you accessed the page
    • Format: (accessed Month Day, Year)

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Missing Information

If certain information is unavailable, follow these guidelines:

  • No author: Start with the title
  • No date: Focus on access date
  • No title: Use website name

Challenge 2: Dynamic Content

For websites that update frequently:

  • Include access date
  • Consider archiving the page
  • Note if content is subject to change

Challenge 3: Social Media

For social media citations:

Platform Username. "Content excerpt." Platform Name, Month Day, Year, URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Best Practices for Website Citations

  1. Verify Source Credibility

    • Check author credentials
    • Confirm website reliability
    • Look for recent updates

  2. URL Management

    • Use permanent links when available
    • Consider using DOIs if provided
    • Archive important pages

  3. Documentation

    • Keep screenshots of cited pages
    • Save PDFs when possible
    • Note any page changes

Tools for Website Citations

  1. Citation Managers

    • EndNote
    • Zotero
    • Mendeley

  2. Online Tools

Special Cases

Government Websites

Agency Name. Document Title. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Online Databases

Database Name, Version Number (if available); Publisher: Location, Year; URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Digital Reports

Author. Report Title; Report Number; Institution: Location, Year; URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Formatting Errors

    • Forgetting access dates
    • Incorrect punctuation
    • Missing required elements

  2. URL Issues

    • Broken links
    • Session-specific URLs
    • Unnecessarily long URLs

  3. Content Problems

    • Citing unreliable sources
    • Using outdated information
    • Not verifying author credentials

Conclusion

Properly citing websites in ACS format helps maintain academic integrity and allows readers to locate your sources. Remember these key points:

  • Include all required elements
  • Verify source reliability
  • Keep thorough records
  • Use proper formatting

Need help with your citations? Try our ACS Citation Generator, which automatically formats website citations according to ACS style guidelines.