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Cite websites, reports and social media in IEEE

Learn how to cite websites, reports and social media in IEEE style. Use correct templates for blogs, reports and social media to reference sources accurately in your writing.

In-text citations

Citation format Example
Paraphrasing ....can assist you to become an engineer in Australia [2].
Direct quote "Engineers Australia will serve you with care and integrity" [2, p. 3].

Reference list

Reference format Example
Template [#] J. K. Author. “Title of web page.” Title of Website. Accessed: (Month Abrev. Day, Year). [Online]. Available: URL
Full reference

[1] Engineers Australia. “Studying in Australia.” Engineers Australia. Accessed: Oct. 2, 2025. [Online]. Available:  https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/For-Migrants  

In-text citations

For direct quotes:

  • Use double quotation marks (" ").
  • Do not include a page number because websites typically lack pagination. Instead, use other locators like paragraph numbers, section headings, or chapter numbers after the citation number and a comma. 
  • The paragraph/section/chapter number must be included within the square brackets after the sequential number.
  • For example, a quote might be cited as [1, para. 3] or [2, Sec. 4.5] to indicate the exact location of the text within the source.
Citation format Example
Paraphrasing   ...Aquifers store and transmit groundwater [1].  
Direct quote

“Groundwater is found in aquifers which are geological formations able to store and transmit water.” [1, para. 1]

Reference list

Reference format Example
Template [#] J. K. Author. “Title of web page.” Title of Website. Date accessed. [Online]. Available: URL   
Full reference

[1] Australian Government. “Groundwater in Australia,” Geoscience Australia. Accessed: Aug. 25, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/water/groundwater/groundwater-in-australia

[2] Engineers Australia. “Inspiring future engineers,” Engineers Australia. Accessed: Sept. 4, 2025. [Online]. Available:  https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/about-engineering/inspiring-future-engineers   

In-text citations

  • Number citations according to their order of appearance in the text. Use the same number for repeated references to the same source. 
  • Place citation numbers in square brackets [ ] immediately after the paraphrased or quoted text and within the punctuation.
  • Use double quotation marks (" ") for direct quotes and include the citation and page number in square brackets [ ] after the quote. The paragraph number must be included within the square brackets after the sequential number.
  • If mentioning the author's name in the text, place the citation immediately after their name. Author names are not needed after the first citation.
Citation format Example
Paraphrasing Most students have access to the technology they need [1].
Direct quote "How students access technology varies..." [1, p. 8].

Reference list

Reference format Example
Template [#] J. K. Author. “Title of web document.” Title of Website. Accessed: (Month Abrev. Day, Year). [Online]. Available: URL   
Full reference

[1] J. D. Galanek, D. C. Gierdowski and D. C. Brooks. “ECAR study of undergraduate students and information technology, 2018.” Educause. Accessed: Jan. 23, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2018/10/studentitstudy2018.pdf?la=en  

In-text citations

  • Number citations according to their order of appearance in the text. Use the same number for repeated references to the same source. 
  • Place citation numbers in square brackets [ ] immediately after the paraphrased or quoted text and within the punctuation.
  • Use double quotation marks (" ") for direct quotes and include the citation and page number in square brackets [ ] after the quote. The paragraph number must be included within the square brackets after the sequential number.
  • If mentioning the author's name in the text, place the citation immediately after their name. Author names are not needed after the first citation.
Citation format Example
Paraphrasing Recent testing of lithium batteries in terms of … [2].
Direct quote "The aim of the testing is to independently verify battery performance (capacity retention and round-trip efficiency) against manufacturers’ claims" [2, p. 2].

Reference list

  • Include the name and location of the company or institution after the author and title.
  • Include the report number and date of publication after the location details.
  • For online reports, include the date accessed and the URL.
Reference format Example
Template [#] J. K. Author, “Title of report,” Abbreviated Company Name, City, Abbreviated State, Country, Rep. no., (optional: vol./issue), Year/ date of publication. Accessed: Date. [Online]. Available: URL
Full reference

[1] R M. Stewart, “The future of Australian electricity generation,” Institute of Australian Engineers Australia, Canberra, ACT, 2017. Accessed 4 Dec. 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files /resources/Public%20Affairs/The%20Future%20of%20Australian%20Electricity.pdf

[2] ITP Renewables, “Lithium-ion battery testing,” ITP Renewables, Canberra, ACT, Public Report 7, Sep. 2019. Accessed: Dec. 04, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://arena.gov.au/assets/2019/11/public-report-7-lithium-ion-battery-testing.pdf

In-text citations

  • Number citations according to their order of appearance in the text. Use the same number for repeated references to the same source. 
  • Place citation numbers in square brackets [ ] immediately after the paraphrased or quoted text and within the punctuation.
  • Use double quotation marks (" ") for direct quotes and include the citation and page number in square brackets [ ] after the quote.
  • If mentioning the author's name in the text, place the citation immediately after their name. Author names are not needed after the first citation.
Citation format Example
Paraphrasing Simplified explanations can be found on social media such as [2] ...
Direct quote “Current passes through and induction coil into the pad.” [2, p.1]

Reference list

Reference format Example
Template

[#] A. A. Author [@username], "Title of post" or Full Tweet, Title of Social Media Website, Abbrev. Month Day, Year. Accessed: Abbrev. Month Day, Year. Available: [URL]
Full reference

[1] P. Costanzo, “Clemson orange uniforms are messing with the color on my TV. And apparently messing with the ND offense, too.” Twitter. Accessed Apr. 19, 2021. [Online.] Available: https://twitter.com/PaulCostanzo/status/817826295707041793

[2] World of Engineering [@world_of_engineering], “Wireless energy transmission”, Instagram, July 29, 2022. Accessed: Aug. 25 2025. Available: https://www.instagram.com/world_of_engineering/?hl=en  

In-text citations

  • Number citations according to their order of appearance in the text. Use the same number for repeated references to the same source. 
  • Place citation numbers in square brackets [ ] immediately after the paraphrased or quoted text and within the punctuation.
  • Use double quotation marks (" ") for direct quotes and include the citation and page number in square brackets [ ] after the quote.
  • If mentioning the author's name in the text, place the citation immediately after their name. Author names are not needed after the first citation.
Citation format Example
Paraphrasing Investigation into sequential testing has increased dramatically according to [2].
Direct quote “...there is surprisingly little advice available.” [2, para 1]

Reference list

Reference format Example
Template

  [#] J.K. Author, “Title of post,” Title of Blog, Abrev. Month, Day, Year. [Online]. Available: URL  
Full reference

[1] V. Pterneas, “Kinect for windows version 2: Body tracking,” Vangos Pterneas. Mar. 13, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://pterneas.com/2014/03/13/kinect-for-windows-version-2-body-tracking/  

[2] M. Schultzberg and S. Ankergren, "Choosing Sequential Testing Framework — Comparisons and Discussions," Spotify R&D | Engineering, Mar. 21, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://engineering.atspotify.com/2023/03/choosing-sequential-testing-framework-comparisons-and-discussions/