LibGuides: Bluebooking Tips and Resources: Internet Citations

When to Cite to the Internet

Rule 18.2.1(a): When not to include a URL
Online copies of sources that are authenticated, official, or exact may be cited as if to the print without reference to the Internet.
Rule 18.2.1(b): When to include a URL
If a work is available in print, but a citation to the online version will "substantially improve access," provide the URL to the Internet version after the citation to the print work.
Rule 18.2.2: Formatting Internet Citations
Internet citations should be used when it is not possible to cite to the source according to another Bluebook rule.

Dates

Rule 18.2.2(c) discusses date and time designations for Internet citations. A "last visited" parenthetical is only used as a last resort when there is no other information about the date in the source. Examples of items to cite prior to using a "last visited" date are below. If any of these dates exist, use that date and do not include a "last visited" parenthetical.

Date of the particular item, such as a new story
Date and time of blog post
Page last updated date
Page last modified date