How to Cite Google: A Comprehensive Guide for Scholars and Professionals

Citing Google isn’t always straightforward, mainly because “Google” encompasses a vast ecosystem of tools and services. The key lies in citing the specific Google product or service you’re referencing, not just “Google” in general. The exact format depends on the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) you’re using. Generally, your citation will include: the author (often Google or the specific service’s team), the title of the specific page or tool, the date it was accessed or published, and the URL. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of citing various Google services and the common styles.

Understanding the Nuances of Google Citations

Google is a behemoth. It’s not a single entity but a collection of interconnected services. Citing “Google” vaguely doesn’t give your readers the specificity they need to verify your sources. Before even considering the citation format, ask yourself:

• What specific Google product or service am I using? Is it Google Search, Google Scholar, Google Maps, YouTube (owned by Google), or something else?
• What type of information am I citing? A website page, a map, a video, a search result?
• When did I access the information? Many online sources change, so providing an access date is crucial.

Answering these questions will guide you in creating an accurate and informative citation.

Citing Google Search Results

Citing Google Search results directly is usually discouraged. Search results are dynamic and change frequently based on algorithm updates, personalization, and new content. Instead of citing the search result page, strive to cite the original source found through the search.

However, if you must cite a Google Search results page (perhaps to illustrate a specific search query or its impact), here’s how to approach it using different citation styles:

APA Style

Author: Google

Date: (Year, Month Day of access)

Title: Search results for [Your Search Query]

Source: [URL of the search results page]

Example: Google. (2023, October 26). Search results for “impact of artificial intelligence on education”. https://www.google.com/search?q=impact+of+artificial+intelligence+on+education

MLA Style

Author: Google

Title of the Page: “Search results for [Your Search Query]”

Website Name: Google Search

Date of Access: Day Month Year

URL: [URL of the search results page]

Example: Google. “Search results for impact of artificial intelligence on education.” Google Search, 26 Oct. 2023, https://www.google.com/search?q=impact+of+artificial+intelligence+on+education.

Chicago Style

Author: Google

Title: “Search results for [Your Search Query]”

URL: [URL of the search results page]

Accessed: Month Day, Year.

Example: Google, “Search results for impact of artificial intelligence on education,” https://www.google.com/search?q=impact+of+artificial+intelligence+on+education, accessed October 26, 2023.

Citing Other Common Google Services

Here’s how to tackle some other popular Google services:

Google Scholar

Author: The author(s) of the article found on Google Scholar.

Title: Title of the article.

Journal/Publication: Title of the journal or publication.

Volume, Issue, Pages: Volume, issue number, and page numbers of the article.

Year: Year of publication.

DOI/URL: Digital Object Identifier (DOI) if available, otherwise the URL of the article on Google Scholar.

• Google Scholar itself is an aggregator. Cite the original source, not Google Scholar directly. Google Scholar helps find sources, not be the source.

YouTube (Google-Owned)

Author: The uploader of the video (username or channel name).

Title: Title of the video.

Website: YouTube.

Date: Date of publication.

URL: URL of the video.

Google Maps

Author: Google

Title: Google Maps. (Descriptive title of the map area or route, if applicable).

URL: URL of the map.

Date: Date of Access.

• If citing a specific location or business from Google Maps, use the business name as the author if available.

Google Books

Author: Author of the book.

Title: Title of the book.

Publisher: Publisher.

Year: Year of publication.

URL: URL of the book on Google Books (if applicable).

• Similar to Google Scholar, cite the book itself, not Google Books. Google Books provides access to the book, it isn’t the original source.

General Tips for Citing Google

• Be Specific: Avoid vague citations. Always cite the specific product, page, or service.
• Check the Source: Whenever possible, cite the original source found through Google rather than Google itself.
• Include Access Dates: Online content can change. Providing an access date ensures readers know when you viewed the information.
• Consult Your Style Guide: Adhere to the specific guidelines of your chosen citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
• Use Citation Management Tools: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can help automate the citation process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What if there is no author listed for a Google page?

If no author is listed, use Google as the author or the name of the specific Google service (e.g., Google Maps, Google Scholar).

2. How do I cite an image found on Google Images?

Cite the original source of the image, not Google Images. Find the website where the image is hosted and cite it according to the appropriate style guide.

3. Do I need to cite Google if I simply use Google Search to find information?

No. Using Google Search as a search engine does not require citation. You only need to cite Google if you are directly quoting or referring to content from a Google product or service.

4. How do I cite a Google Doc?

Cite a Google Doc similarly to a website. Include the author (usually the document creator), title, date of creation or last modification (if available), and the URL. If it is a collaborative document, note this in your citation.

5. How do I cite a Google Form?

Cite the creator of the form as the author, the title of the form, and the URL. Include the date you accessed the form if relevant.

6. How do I cite a Google Sheet?

Similar to Google Docs, cite the creator of the sheet as the author, the title of the sheet, and the URL. Include the date of access. Specify that it is a “Google Sheet” in your citation.

7. Can I use “n.d.” (no date) if the publication date is unavailable?

Yes, if the publication date is truly unavailable, use “n.d.” (no date) in your citation. However, always try to find a date before resorting to this. The accessed date is still required.

8. How important is it to include the access date?

It’s very important to include the access date for online sources, especially those that are frequently updated. This allows readers to understand the version of the information you consulted.

9. Should I shorten the URL if it’s very long?

No, do not shorten the URL manually. Include the full URL, unless your style guide specifically instructs you to use a URL shortener. Some citation management tools may automatically shorten URLs.

10. What if the content I’m citing from Google is behind a paywall?

If you accessed the content through a subscription or other means, cite the original source behind the paywall, not Google’s intermediary service. Include the necessary subscription information in your citation according to your chosen style guide.

11. How do I cite Google Translate?

Cite Google Translate if you are analyzing the output of the translation tool itself. Use “Google Translate” as the author. Include the original text, the translated text, and the date of translation. Specify the languages involved.

12. My professor said citing Google is lazy. Is that true?

Generally, yes. Citing Google directly is often a sign that you haven’t properly identified and cited the original source of the information. Aim to cite the primary source whenever possible. Google is a tool, not typically the origin of knowledge.