How to Properly Attribute and Cite Sources when Sharing Content Online
Tags: career, writing, citation, community
Published: 2023-01-04 13:27:05

![Citation and attribution](https://sharetxt.live/uploads/images/attribution-reference)

When sharing content online whether as a post, [social media](https://sharetxt.live/blog/how-to-create-content-on-social-media-that-converts), or any other media, it's important to properly attribute and cite sources to give credit to the creators and owners of the content, and to ensure that your own work is accurate and credible. Proper attribution and citation not only helps to respect the rights of others, but it can also enhance the quality and value of your own content.

But what exactly is attribution and citation, and why are they important? **Attribution is the act of giving credit to the source of the content you are using or sharing**. This can be as simple as including the name of the creator or owner and a link to the original source. Attribution helps to acknowledge the contributions of others and can help to establish your own credibility as a content creator.

**Citation, on the other hand, involves providing more detailed information about the source of the content, including the title, author, publication date, and other relevant details**. Citations are typically used in academic or professional contexts to provide a clear and detailed record of the sources used in a piece of work. In addition to helping to [establish credibility and prevent plagiarism](https://sharetxt.live/blog/step-by-step-guide-to-writing-plagiarism-free-essays), citations also provide readers with the information they need to locate and verify the sources themselves.

[In this blog post](https://sharetxt.live/blog/how-to-properly-attribute-and-cite-sources-when-sharing-content-online), I'll delve into the basics of attribution and citation, and discuss best practices for properly attributing and citing sources when sharing content online. I'll also explore some tools and resources that can help you to attribute and cite sources effectively. Whether you're a content creator, business owner, or social media enthusiast, these tips will help you to properly attribute and cite sources and share content with confidence.

## What is attribution?
Attribution is the act of giving credit to the source of the content you are using or sharing. It involves acknowledging the contributions of others and helping to establish your own credibility as a content creator. Proper attribution is important for a number of reasons:
- **It helps to respect the rights of others**: By properly attributing content, you are acknowledging the contributions of the creators and owners of the content and showing respect for their rights. This is especially important when you are using content that is protected by copyright or other intellectual property laws.
- **It can enhance the quality and value of your own content**: By including attribution, you can provide your readers with additional context and resources, and enhance the overall value of your content. Attribution can also help to establish your own credibility as a content creator by demonstrating that you are using reliable and reputable sources.
- **It can help to prevent plagiarism**: Proper attribution can help to prevent plagiarism, which is the act of using someone else's work without giving credit. Plagiarism is not only unethical, but it can also have serious legal and professional consequences. By properly attributing content, you can avoid potential issues related to plagiarism and demonstrate that you are using content responsibly.

To properly attribute content, you should include the name of the creator or owner and a link to the original source. This can be as simple as adding a byline or including a link to the source in the text of your post. Depending on the context and the type of content you are sharing, you may also need to include additional information, such as the title of the work or the date it was published.

## What is citation?

Citation is the act of providing detailed information about the source of the content you are using or sharing. It involves including specific details about the work, such as the title, author, publication date, and other relevant information. Citations are typically used in academic or professional contexts to provide a clear and detailed record of the sources used in a piece of work.

[There are many different citation styles](https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp), each with its own set of rules and guidelines for formatting citations and referencing sources. Some common citation styles include APA, MLA, and Chicago. Depending on the context and the type of content you are sharing, you may need to use a specific citation style or follow the guidelines of a particular organization or publication.

![Citation styles](https://sharetxt.live/uploads/images/citation-styles)

Citation is important for a number of reasons:

- **It helps to establish credibility and prevent plagiarism**: By properly citing sources, you can demonstrate that you are using reliable and reputable sources and help to prevent plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work without giving credit, and it can have serious legal and professional consequences.
- **It provides readers with the information they need to locate and verify sources**: By including detailed citation information, you can provide your readers with the information they need to locate and verify the sources you are using. This can be especially important in academic or professional contexts, where readers may need to consult the original sources for further information or analysis.
- **It helps to support your own work**: By citing sources, you can provide evidence and support for your own work and help to establish your own credibility as a content creator. Citations can also help to demonstrate that you are familiar with the research and literature in your field and that you are using this knowledge to inform your own work.

To properly cite sources, you should include all of the relevant information about the source, including the title, author, publication date, and other details as required by the citation style you are using. You should also include a reference list or bibliography at the end of your work, which lists all of the sources you have cited in alphabetical order.

## Tools and resources for attribution and citation

There are many different tools and resources available to help you attribute and cite sources effectively when sharing content online. Here are some options to consider:

- **Manual methods**: If you prefer to attribute and cite sources manually, there are a number of resources that can help you to do so. These include style guides, such as the APA, MLA, or Chicago style guides, which provide detailed instructions on how to format citations and references. You can also find online resources, such as [citation generators](https://sharetxt.live/recommends/quillbot-citation-generator), which can help you to create citations in a specific style.

- **Online tools and resources**: There are a number of online tools and resources that can help you to attribute and cite sources more efficiently. Some options include:
 - **Citation management tools**: These tools allow you to create, organize, and manage your citations and references in one place. Popular citation management tools include [EndNote](https://sharetxt.live/recommends/endnote), [Zotero](https://sharetxt.live/recommends/zotero), and [Mendeley](https://sharetxt.live/recommends/mendeley).
 - **Plugins and extensions**: There are a number of browser extensions and plugins that can help you to attribute and cite sources more easily. For example, the [EasyBib extension for Google Chrome](https://www.easybib.com/guides/feature-highlight-easybib-chrome-extension/) allows you to generate citations for websites and articles with a single click.
 - **Online citation generators**: There are many online citation generators available that can help you to create citations in a variety of styles. Some popular options include [Citation Machine](https://www.citationmachine.net/) and [BibMe](https://www.bibme.org/).

By using these tools and resources, you can streamline the process of attributing and citing sources and ensure that you are using content responsibly and legally.

## Conclusion

In conclusion, proper attribution and citation are crucial for anyone who creates or shares content online. By giving credit to the sources of the content you use and sharing detailed information about those sources, you can respect the rights of others, establish your own credibility, and prevent plagiarism. Whether you're a content creator, business owner, or social media enthusiast, understanding and properly using attribution and citation can help you to share content responsibly and legally.

There are many different tools and resources available to help you attribute and cite sources effectively. From manual methods like style guides to online tools like citation management software and online citation generators, there are a variety of options to suit your needs and preferences. By using these resources, you can streamline the process of attributing and citing sources and ensure that you are using content responsibly and legally.

I hope this blog post has helped you to better understand the importance of attribution and citation when sharing content online and has given you some ideas for how to attribute and cite sources effectively. Let me know if you have any other questions or need further assistance.