Online sources are cited under Bluebook Rule 18. The format includes the author, title, website name, full URL, and date. For example: Jane Doe, The Future of AI Law, Example Blog (May 3, 2024), https://example.com/ai-law.
If the source is a PDF or report hosted online, cite it as a document with a URL and date. Use a reliable URL and avoid long query strings when possible. Include a "last visited" date only when required by local rules or if the page has no clear publication date.
Online sources should be used carefully in legal writing. Prefer official and stable sources, such as government websites, court opinions, and academic publications.
Web Article
Jane Doe, The Future of AI Law, Example Blog (May 3, 2024), https://example.com/ai-law.
Government Website
Press Release, U.S. Dep't of Justice, DOJ Announces New Policy (Jan. 12, 2023), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/123.
Online Report
Federal Trade Commission, Privacy in the Digital Age 12 (2022), https://www.ftc.gov/reports/privacy.pdf.
No Author
About the Court, Supreme Court of the United States, https://www.supremecourt.gov/about (last visited Feb. 2, 2024).
Only when the website does not provide a clear publication or update date, or when local rules require it.
Cite it like a report with a URL. Include the title, issuing organization, year, and URL.
No. Use the full URL unless it is exceptionally long. Avoid URL shorteners in formal legal writing.
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Explore more Bluebook citation guides for other source types.
Master Bluebook citation format for federal statutes (U.S.C.), state codes, and session laws with proper section symbols, date parentheticals, and code abbreviations.
Learn the Bluebook rules for citing cases from federal and state courts with correct reporter, court, and year format.
Cite the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions with correct article, amendment, and section formatting.
Cite books, treatises, and hornbooks with the right author, title, edition, and page format.
Cite federal and state court rules with correct rule numbers, abbreviations, and parentheticals.
Cite agency decisions, administrative opinions, and guidance documents using Bluebook Rule 14 and 15 conventions.
Format citations for law review articles, journal essays, and academic legal publications following Bluebook Rule 16 conventions.
Format citations for the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Federal Register rules, and state administrative regulations following Bluebook Rule 14.
Format citations for bilateral and multilateral treaties, international agreements, and conventions following Bluebook Rule 21.4.
Disclaimer: While this guide follows Bluebook 21st edition rules, always verify citations with official Bluebook resources or your institution's requirements. This content is for educational assistance only.
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